Juventus have walked away with the 2013/14 Scudetto. Their 30th title was never in doubt, except in the first two months of the season.
Roma were off to a bright start, winning their opening 10 league games, but faded as the competition intensified and finished runners-up.
Despite having no Euro club commitments, coach Rudi Garcia couldn’t bank on a large squad and, consequently, Roma were found wanting in games where they had to do without their key players.
By contrast, Juventus went from strength to strength after losing 4-2 to Fiorentina on the eighth day, a game they were leading 2-0 with 24 minutes remaining.
Juve’s response to that unexpected defeat saw them win 12 games in a row, including a 3-0 drubbing of Roma on the 18th day.
Antonio Conte’s team ended the outgoing season as undisputed champions with a record 102 points, 17 clear of Roma, winning all 19 of their home games in the process.
During their entire Serie A campaign, Juventus dropped only 12 points – three draws and two defeats.
In Europe, only Celtic, in season 2001/02, managed to amass more points in a single season – 103.
However, Juventus failed to replicate their domestic form in Europe.
In the Champions League, they finished third in Group B, behind eventual winners Real Madrid and Roberto Mancini’s Gala-tasaray.
Juve managed only one win and three draws and were ‘relegated’ to the Europa League. The Bianconeri had a big incentive to make inroads in this competition as their Juventus Stadium was the venue of the May 14 final.
Nevertheless, Juventus failed to make it all the way in European football’s second-tier competition after being knocked out by eventual runners-up Benfica 1-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Juve’s elimination meant that 15 years have now passed since an Italian club reached the Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup) final.
What’s next for Juventus?
Under Conte, they have become the dominant team in the Serie A, claiming three titles in a row – a first for the club since the 1930s.
Conte has taken Juventus as far as he can in Italy but they have huge margins for improvement in Europe.
Historically, Juventus have never been as successful in Europe as Milan and Conte has done little to change this trend.
As things stand, Juventus have enough quality in their ranks to retain the domestic crown next season at the least. However, if the past two seasons are anything to go by, European success is by no means a foregone conclusion.
It is a known fact that there is a huge gulf in quality between Juventus and their Serie A rivals.
At the same time, Juventus are nowhere near the best of the breed in Europe, like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Never like before, Juve’s level of improvement will very much depend on whether they can make the grade in Europe’s premier club competition – the Champions League – next season.
A great side is measured by its success on the continent and Juventus have failed miserably in Europe despite their domestic domination.
Their contrasting results bring to mind the adage of being strong with the weak and weak with the strong.
Conte has a desire to join the elite group of managers, including Italians Giovanni Trapattoni and Carlo Ancelotti, who have won the European Cup both as player and coach.
The Lecce-born trainer, who turns 45 on July 31, is sceptical about his prospects of turning this dream into reality with Juventus and this seems to be the main reason why he has reservations about extending his contract with the ‘Old Lady’ beyond next season.
Conte has been on record saying that Italian clubs, including Juventus, will not win the Champions League any time soon.
Although Juventus do not possess the financial muscle of Man. City, Man. United, Chelsea, Monaco, Paris SG, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, in football, like in life, money can give you an edge but is by no means a guarantee of success.
In the past two seasons, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid have come pretty close to winning the coveted Champions League despite not spending big.
Atletico example
Atletico, the new Spanish champions who lost the all-Madrid Champions League final to Real on Saturday, have been mentioned by John Elkann, chairman and CEO of Exor, an investment company controlled by the Agnelli family which owns FIAT and Juventus, as an example the Serie A champions should follow to make inroads in Europe.
The way forward for Juventus should be clear – keeping their best players and reinforce their weak areas.
At the same time, Conte should have a more positive outlook and instil a winning mentality in his players on European nights.