This Week In Black & White

The first week after the season ends is always quiet, especially when its the worst year in living memory. Much time for reflection and assessment by the new management. Agnelli, Marotta & Del Neri have much work ahead of them, made more difficult by the forthcoming World Cup, which means many players with which the club would want to talk to are locked away in training camps across the world.

Of course half the clubs players were on the post-season tour to the US & Canada, where the team lost to both the New York Red Bulls & Fiorentina. For an inside look at the tour from Canada, read an excellent blog post here.

Time to roll up those sleeves boys!

With very little news being made public you would have to assume that the three men, plus Jean Claude Blanc have been busy beginning to make the moves needed to bring la Vecchia Signora back into contention for honours. The rumour mill has been working overtime in order to fill the news void created, and a number of interesting things have been said.

The first has to be the interview with Del Neri, which is a candidate for the worst translated chat since a Chelsea steward claimed Claudio Ranieri said "it was a game of two halves". According to some versions the new coach was giving the captaincy to Marchisio next season, when the truth was far less sensational. A full summary can be read here.

The comments on Del Piero, Buffon and indeed Marchisio were great to hear, and show the new coach already has a good understanding of what the fans want next term. Also good to hear have been the words of Mattia Cassani & Domenico Criscito, both of whom spoke of their pride at being linked to Juventus, and how great they view the club despite the recent demise.

"Genoa? The roads will be busy!"

Also a lot of stories regarding ex-Bianconeri men coming from Genoa this week, where Ciro Ferrara has been linked with the coaching post, as Gasperini is expected to move to Fiorentina to replace Cesare Prandelli who is in turn replacing Marcello Lippi. Hopefully Ferrara can rebuild his career and show the qualities which convinced Blanc to take a chance last summer.

While speaking of Genoa, their President Enrico Preziosi has said while Inter do not want Leo Bonucci, Juve certainly do. He went on to say it would take "an offer from the asylum" to free the Italy defender.

So, lots of words, little action, & even less real news in what will probably be the dullest week of the summer leaves us fans doing what we always do. Watch & wait...

Heysel Remembered At Anfield

Two ceremonies took place today in the city of Liverpool to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster.

The first was the planting of a white beam tree, which symbolises friendship and respect at the city's St George's Hall. The mayor of Liverpool and the Italian consul shook hands and planted the tree together.

From there the group moved to the Anfield Stadium, where a plaque was unveiled on the Centenary Stand. Before revealing the plaque Liverpool FC Chaplain made a poignant speech;

"We can't change our history or dry up all our tears. We cannot solve the mysteries still unanswered down these years. But we can, for all our children's sake and for the 39, build a monument of friendship that will stand the test of time."

The ceremony was then completed as Liverpool's captain that fateful night Phil Neal and Juve player Sergio Brio drew back the black curtains to reveal the plaque.

Also in attendance was Gianluca Pessotto who stood alongside Kenny Dalglish and Sammy Lee during the ceremony.

24 Hours From Hell

Juve gored by Bulls

Last night Juventini the world over suffered as hated rivals Internazionale saw off Bayern Munchen to become European Cup winners for the first time since 1965. As if that were not painful enough, today witnessed a new low, as an Alberto Zaccheroni led shadow squad lost 3-1 to New York Red Bulls as part of the club's post-season tour of North America.

Surely this is the very definition of rock bottom?

US & Canada Tour: Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

Juventus head to North America on Friday with an ill-fitting squad for what will be the last rites of Alberto Zaccheroni's time as coach. That none of the new regime want to associate themselves with this group tells you both how poor it is, and also gives an insight into the futures of many of the players, a large percentage of which lie away from Turin.

"YESSSS! I'm staying home!"

Manninger, Trezeguet, Grygera, Legrottaglie, Zebina, Salihamidzic, Amauri, Diego, Paolucci, De Ceglie & il Capitano Alessandro Del Piero from the first team squad are to travel. Grosso & Candreva will be the most disheartened members of the squad, given that they are only going following Marcello Lippi's decision to axe both from his World Cup squad yesterday.

The club has continued its tradition of "borrowing" players for these post-season tours, with Livorno duo Francesco Bardi & Alessandro Bernardini, Goncalo Jardim Brandao of Siena & Atalanta's Simone Padoin all joining the group.

The sad point in all this is that only Luca Belcastro & Luca Marrone from the Primavera will make the journey, which would be a great opportunity for young players to experience first team action without real pressure. Albin Ekdal - on loan at Siena - will travel, which is a boost for fans in North America as he is an exciting talent in a group short on both.

The Juve tifosi that I know from those places are passionate & knowledgeable about il Bianconeri, so many will know these names & appreciate the opportunity to support their team, no matter the make up of the group or the poor season just ended.

It's Over! Relief At Last, Recovery To Begin

The nightmare that was Juventus in 2009/10 is finally over. The last game brought everything the whole sorry season did; A bright start, non-existent defending, too many goals conceded, a bizarre team selection in the wrong formation and an abject display of coaching that just left you sat scratching your head.

The full ratings review can be seen here

The prize for ONLY defender goes to...

The only positives to be taken from the game are that some of the worst offenders will not return next season. A replacement for Alberto Zaccheroni is likely to be named tomorrow, Fabio Cannavaro will surely not return, along with Zebina, Brazzo and a number of others.

Martin Caceres again put forward a strong case for his permanent signing, making a solid contribution in the short time he was given. David Trezeguet was once again sadly denied a farewell appearance. Zaccheroni banished Diego & Melo to the stands, yet failed to include any of the Primavera squad on the final day, a long-standing Juve tradition.

Over the coming days Il Tifosi will hand out the end of season awards, make a final suggestion for the summer & the weekly pagelle will be combined to give a final ranking for each player. Stay tuned...

Last Word? Last Day, Last Rites

Yesterday Alberto Zaccheroni showed all the steel, aggression & attitude that has been so sadly lacking in Juventus during his tenure. Like most things during this period however the coach managed to mis-time & mis-judge even this.

"Need a lift Alessio?"

In his pre-game press conference Zaccheroni stated that “There are regrets that I was unable to improve the situation in the table”. He went on to add “I hoped to find fewer difficulties. A Coach is only as good as the choices he can make, but unfortunately I rarely had choice because of the number of injuries.“

In the most bizarre fashion the then said “It’s difficult to begin again, as this is a team sport and not one of the players had a good season. If the club asks my opinion, I’ll give it to them, but I didn’t see any players who salvaged their season.”

The first thing about it is to remind people that the team was undefeated at the start of Zaccheroni's reign, when only 14 first team players were available, & only started losing when the coach did have choices to make. Indeed it is those very choices that have been the most widely criticised points of the coach's mistakes.

"Hey Mister, recognise us?"

Then hearing him say no player had a good season, an easy - & perhaps lazy - explanation of the lowly league position. Then consider the form of Buffon, Chiellini, Marchisio & Del Piero. Where would Juve be in the league without that foursome this season?

Another brilliant piece of news yesterday was the resignation of Alessio Secco from his role as Sporting Director. This was expected as Monday's appointment of Beppe Marotta as Director General basically made him redundant in any case.

With the departure of Secco & Zaccheroni the future will begin as soon as Saturday's final game is over, a last day of a season Juventus & her fans will want to quickly forget, & one everyone connected with the club hopes will never be repeated.

All in all an interesting day ahead of perhaps the most meaningless Milan-Juve game in history.

Silly Season Becomes Sense & Sensibility

Since the turn of the year crazy transfers & Juventus have gone hand in hand like, well, Juve and losses. Every day a new name was linked with a summer move to the club, each more incredulous than the last; Robin Van Persie, Franck Ribery, Rafael Benitez, Imelda Marcos.

Marcos: Boot deal already in place?

Ok, I made the last one up, but give Tuttosport time! On Monday Juventus official unveiled Andrea Agnelli as the new Club President, and agreed the appointment of Beppe Marotta as Director General. These appointments were greeted with great joy in Turin as both are widely respected men expected to return honour & glory to a Juve short on both this season.

Since then an impressive, if wholly unexpected, impact has already occurred. The crazy rumours have been replaced by an infinitely more sensible set of suggestions. Quality, useful - and not to mention attainable - targets have been linked; Juan Manuel Vargas, Van der Weil, Simone Pepe, Domenico Criscito & Mattia Cassani.

If this is the sign of things to come, then long may those two men run our club!

'Doria Not A Supermarket: Juve Keep Shopping

A notice on Sampdoria's official website this morning stated that "Sampdoria is not, & never will be, a supermarket". This was in response to reports in the press that Luigi Del Neri is set to be unveiled as the new Juventus coach on Monday.

This follows the appointment of director Beppe Marotta earlier in the week & the papers are full of rumours linking numerous Blucerchiati players with moves away from Genoa.

NOT the President of Walmart...

Fans placed a banner at the club's training ground today bearing the words "Gigi: Europe is more beautiful in colour than in black & white", a clear message that they want the coach to stay with them rather than bolt to Turin.

All this is comes just a few days from the club's last game of the season, in which they can seal entry to the Champions League. If even half the departures do come true then it may be a very different Sampdoria that take their place in next season's qualifiers.

Perhaps a very different Juventus too...

Tuesday Thought: Great Eight, A Sad One

Marcello Lippi today named his provisional 30 man Squad for the forthcoming World Cup. Eight Juve players were called up, a source of pride in a difficult season & congratulations go to Gigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Fabio Grosso, Claudio Marchisio, Antonio Candreva, Mauro Camoranesi & Vincenzo Iaquinta. Commiserations to Nicola Legrottaglie who was the most shocking, if understandable exclusion.

Congratulations also go to Christian Poulsen (Denmark), Martin Caceres (Uruguay) & Felipe Melo (Brazil). Tiago also goes to South Africa as part of the Portugal squad.

Juventus Need More Than Rumours

Following yesterdays capitulation to Parma in the last home game of the season (the full ratings can be seen here), Juventus will now finish seventh and be forced to enter the Europa League preliminary rounds, which begin in late July.

Due to this early start to the new season, which will bring the additional problems of a broken return, given that the games start just four days after the World Cup Final, the changes, new appointments and transfer business will need to be concluded at some pace by new President Andrea Agnelli.

"Is there still a vacancy at Bari?"

He starts that job today when the club holds its CDA, where Beppe Marotta is widely expected to be unveiled as the new Sporting Director. He will certainly be busy over the next two months to get the squad to the level it needs to be aiming for, and there must be heavy traffic both in & out of the club.

The rumour mill has been working overtime in the past few months, alleged deadlines for Rafael Benitez to agree a deal have come & gone, Prandelli, Spalletti & now Del Neri have emerged as possible alternatives. The club's choice of new coach is vital, the new man has to be given at least two full seasons to embed the team with his style of play.

That direction will shape the moves in the transfer market, which needs to be tailored to fit the new coach's philosophy. It is no use continually signing players without some idea of the system & tactics they will be needed to fit into. This has happened too often under the previous regime & the squad now lacks balance.

Lets hope the new President inspires us with confidence today, by unveiling his plan, & if Marotta is revealed as his first appointment at least we can enter the summer knowing the days of ill-advised & poorly considered transfer campaigns are over.

Two Games Left: Make Us Believe Again

Serie A is fast approaching the end of what has been an unforgettable season. Roma's amazing resurgence under Claudio Ranieri, Inter's relentless march towards an historic treble, a stuttering Milan, Fiorentina's woe & the usual mix of madness, genius & great goals from Totti, Balotelli, Cassano & Miccoli.

None of this has helped Juventus fans as we have been forced to watch one of the worst teams in our illustrious history limp towards a sad conclusion after being humiliated twice in Europe & witnessing some utterly embarrassing displays domestically.

The early season promise has been replaced by a realisation that the squad is deeply flawed, that Ciro Ferrara was both fired too soon & the wrong appointment in the first place.

"Sixth Is This Way"

Now only two games remain. La Vecchia Signora currently lies seventh, a point behind Napoli & a place in the playoff round of the Europa League. Finishing sixth is vital as it avoids the qualifying rounds, enabling the squad to return as one & prepare for the season together.

Ending the season behind the Vesuviani would mean the players not involved in this summers World Cup would need to win a two-legged tie in July before they are fully fit & a whole month prior to the Serie A season getting underway.

Napoli face relegation favourites Atalanta followed by an impressive Sampdoria, who are aiming to secure Champions League football. With games against old foes Parma & Milan, Juventus have an even tougher end to the season, but perhaps that is a good thing.

Parma's season is already over, while Milan can seal third this weekend, meaning the last game will be a dead-rubber for them too. The two games present this far from vintage Bianconeri side with a last chance to make believers of us.

If they can put in two performances at this end of the season to match the early promise seen in the Roma & Lazio games way back in September, then we can head for the summer knowing that it will never be this bad again.

Juventus have disappointed heavily in 2009/10 and owe the fans greatly. These two games can go someway to erasing that debt.

More Evidence In Case For The Defence

"Pink is just so not your colour!"

Danish International Simon Kjaer has been consistently linked with a move to Juventus this summer. His form, Juve's defensive woes, a buy-out clause in his contract and the good relationship enjoyed by the two clubs have all been sighted as reasons for the proposed move.

Yesterday Kjaer himself gave a clear indication of his intentions, when he stated "Juventus remains always one of the best teams. Its shirt and history appeals to me".

Alongside similar comments from Martin Caceres, perhaps next season Chiellini will have some help in the backline. Sign them up!

Brinksmanship, Blessings & Benitez

The Rafael Benitez to Juventus saga rumbles on, with almost hourly updates from various news sources. Last week I attempted to cut out the false deadlines, the media-speak & "sources close to the club/coach/his pet iguana" and look at the benefits of the move. Come on keep up!

"If I stay there will be trouble, if I go...."

This week saw a number of key men give their blessing to the move - Gigi Buffon & Alessandro Del Piero. Given that the captain is a shoo-in for a directors role in the not too distant future, he looks to be practising appointing coaches already.

In addition Benitez seems to be living up to the stereotype of his countrymen, & his constant cries of "manyana, manyana", & the Juve board have started to get impatient. Contact has apparently been made with Luciano Spalletti of Zenit & another attempt to lure Cesare Prandelli from Florence.

It remains to be seen if this mere posturing on both parts, but that May 10 shareholder meeting looms large on the horizon & Andrea Agnelli will be keen to have his man in place by then. Meanwhile all we can do is watch & wait...

Superman Speaks

Gigi Buffon commented once again on speculation linking him with a move away from Turin last night, saying his "desire to leave was as great as Juve's desire to leave him". Of course this has been translated into every language in the world and has been worded to give the "biggest indication yet" he is on his way.

Of course if the clubs desire is nil, then so is Gigi's. I cannot begin to describe the level of pain his sale would cause in Turin, or for the millions of Bianconeri fans across the globe. Here is the worlds best goalkeeper, one of the warriors who helped La Vecchia Signora face down the darkest days in her history, surely we can't lose him, now or ever?

Replacing him would be next to impossible, any other 'keeper is a backward step. Right now, today, with Andrea Agnelli a week from officially being president, with a new coach on the way, is the brightest and best moment for us in the last four years. Please Gigi, say it ain't so!

Normal Service Resumed

So after the light relief of last week's stroll against Bari, the harsh realisation that this years edition of the Bianconeri needs major work was rammed home as the team struggled to a 1-1 draw away to Catania.

The trip to Sicily was always going to be difficult, Juventus lost 2-1 at home to Catania earlier in the season and a draw would ensure the opposition remained in Serie A next season. The game also highlighted the struggle of Diego this season. Brought to Turin to unlock tight Italian defences, he found himself on the edge of the game, unable to contribute much at all.

Diego: "Its the grasses fault..."

The Brazilian has really struggled to influence close games, and his excuse this week was to blame the pitches in Italy, particularly that at the Olimpico. This is frankly pathetic and I for one would have so much more respect for him if he just admitted he was finding it tough.

Zebina continued his one-man crusade to prove it's not only Brazilians who can't play on our grass, but those who look like them too, putting in another 90 minute performance that makes Melo look amazing. Amauri spent another match looking like a traffic cone in a Juve shirt.

From a Juve perspective the only unique thing this week was seeing Del Piero and Chiellini both have a bad game at the same time. They have been the only consistently good performers this season, but in this match both were poor. Del Piero could get nothing to go his way, and the big defender just looked tired and frustrated all afternoon.

"Must be our turn for a day off, no?"

le pagelle: Buffon 7, Zebina 4, Canna 6.5, Chiellini 6, PDC 5.5, Melo 4, Poulsen 6, Marchisio 7.5, Diego 5.5, Ale 6, VI 6, (Subs) Amauri 2,Brazzo NM, Candreva NM


The full ratings can be seen here