Anyone who saw Leonardo Bonucci’s antics on the bench during the Supercoppa couldn’t be surprised by the touchline row with an Inter director, because he exhibited the very worst of what people dislike about Juventus.
The centre-back was returning from an injury and therefore sat on the bench just behind coach Max Allegri, making his every scream, gesture and complaint painfully visible.
It was the usual routine we tend to see from vice-president Pavel Nedved, specifically harassing the referee and fourth official at every tiny contact, waving imaginary cards, howling for blood as if a regular tackle was some sort of serious assault.
The fact all this was coming from Bonucci, a man not exactly known for being weak into the challenge, just made it seem even more incredibly hypocritical.
These are all things that are cited by fans of other Italian clubs when explaining why Juventus are so disliked by everyone else in Calcio, the sense of entitlement, the constant moaning to officials and acting as if they are being victimised.
He was furious at the Inter director for celebrating ‘in his face,’ but that was the touchline, it’s a shared space, Bonucci doesn’t own it.
Compare and contrast with Giorgio Chiellini, a true captain who stood and applauded as Inter lifted the trophy at San Siro.
Unfortunately for Juventus, Chiellini is heading towards retirement, whereas the club is now going to be represented by Bonucci, Nedved and Max Allegri’s pitiful arrogance.