Juventus were off to a stuttering start in the 2010/11 Serie A season as they collected only four points from their opening four outings. Defeats at the hands of Bari (0-1) and Palermo (1-3) exposed Juve’s frailties, especially in defence.
Their dismal start raised serious doubts about their title credentials but since their loss to Palermo, Luigi Del Neri’s side have improved by leaps and bounds.
Juventus are not only undefeated in 10 matches (five wins and five draws) but also underlined their prowess by holding European and Italian champions Inter to a 0-0 draw. They also beat pace-setters Milan 2-1 at the San Siro.
Despite their encouraging results against the two Milan sides, there are still question marks as to whether Juventus can be considered as genuine title contenders.
To begin with, any side with aspirations of being crowned champions, can’t afford to be involved in so many draws. Up to now, Juve have won only six games and drawn the other six. Away from home, Juventus have figured in draws with Inter (0-0), Bologna (0-0) and Brescia (1-1).
In Turin, Juventus have failed to see off Sampdoria (3-3), Roma (1-1) and Fiorentina (1-1).
Juventus’s main weakness this season has been their failure to kill off matches in which they were the better team.
Contrary to last year, when under Ciro Ferrara Juventus made a brilliant start only to flounder as the season progressed, this season the team have slowly, but surely, made up lost ground after a disappointing opening. But only time will tell whether Juventus are good enough to challenge for the top prize in Italian football.
Juve’s target is to gain a top-four finish. The early indications are that Milan, Inter, Juventus, Lazio, Roma and Napoli are the main contenders for the leading positions.
In the close season, Juventus not only changed their coach and signed several new players but also revamped their management set-up. Andrea Agnelli, the son of the late Juventus president Umberto Agnelli, was appointed as new president.
Del Neri has the arduous task of moulding a competitive side largely composed of new players. To further complicate matters, time is absolutely not on Del Neri’s side as Juve can’t afford to miss out on a top-four finish for the second season running.
For instance, Del Neri included six new signings in Juve’s team against Fiorentina. Simone Pepe, who came on as a substitute for Alberto Aquilani and scored Juve’s equaliser, was also acquired from Udinese in the close season.
Juve’s progress in the Europa League probably rests on their away clash to Lech Poznan tonight. They trail Lech Poznan and Roberto Mancini’s Man. City by three points following four draws in their first four Group A outings.
On the domestic front, to keep in touch with the leading Serie A sides, Juve must avoid dropping points against lesser teams.
Juventus have delivered against the big guns but haven’t impressed against weaker opposition.
To reach their objective and possibly challenge for the title, Juventus need to be involved in fewer draws and get more wins.
There are no two ways about it.
Serie A statistics
1st draw for Milan since sharing the spoils with Lazio (1-1) on the fourth day. Last weekend, the Rossoneri drew with Sampdoria (1-1) for the first time in over four years. Milan last conquered the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in October 2007 (5-0). Massimiliano Allegri’s team are undefeated in their last five outings (four straight wins and one draw) whereas Samp have managed one win and two draws in their last three. Bari extended their winless run to nine games (two draws and seven defeats) as they came from behind to share the spoils with Cesena in a direct basement clash. For Cesena, this was their first positive result away from home after five straight defeats.
2 penalties were converted last weekend. Giuseppe Colucci broke the deadlock for Cesena by scoring from the spot in the 62nd minute. Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale netted the first of his three goals from the 11 metres. Later in the same game, Marek Hamsik had the chance to narrow the deficit for Napoli against Udinese but missed a 65th- minute penalty. Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic blocked Hamsik’s effort. Fiorentina’s Felipe was the only red-carded player last weekend.
3 draws are all Fiorentina have to show from their first seven away games as last Saturday, they figured in a 1-1 draw with Juventus. The Turin side have now extended their positive run to 10 games (five wins and five draws). Brescia-Genoa figured in the only goalless draw of the day.
5th straight home win for Inter against Parma as the Nerazzurri returned to winning ways after a four-match winless run (two draws and two defeats). Parma’s only win in Milan dates back to May 1999 (3-1). Cagliari recorded their second successive win under new coach Roberto Donadoni as they edged Lecce 3-2. In their first eight away fixtures, Lecce have only managed one positive result – against Palermo (2-2) on the fifth day.
13 points have been obtained by back-to-form Udinese in their last five home matches. Last weekend, Udinese were in a class of their own as they beat Napoli 3-1 for the second season running. This was Napoli’s second straight away setback, following their 0-2 reverse against Lazio.
28 goals were scored on the 14th day (Bologna-Chievo was postponed due to heavy snow 18 coming from the hosts and the remaining 10 from the visitors. There were 15 first-half goals while foreigners contributed with 12. Total number of goals scored is 313. Marco Motta (Juventus) committed the only own goal of the day. Dejan Stankovic (Inter) and Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) notched a hat-trick each. Hernan Crespo (Parma) and Alessandro Matri (Cagliari) grabbed a brace apiece. Thiago Motta (Inter) and Simone Pepe (Juventus) came on as substitutes and found the back of the net. Despite not being on the scoresheet, Edinson Cavani (Napoli) and Samuel Eto’o (Inter) still lead the scoring table with nine goals each.