P4th (W23 D9 L6 GF77 GA38)
Coppa Italia: Winners Team rating: 5/10 Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (29) Europe: Champions League Round of 16
The Bianconeri ended the season celebrating, but Elio Salerno reckons a narrow top four finish was way below the club’s expectations despite two trophies this season.
Bianconeri rollercoaster
After nine consecutive Serie A titles, Juventus’ reign as champions of Italy ended abruptly in the 2020-21 season. Whilst it came as no surprise that La Vecchia Signora chose to dispatch Maurizio Sarri after a solitary campaign in charge, the decision to hire a rookie coach and former player Andrea Pirlo left many stunned. The appointment of Pirlo gave Juve’s direct rivals an increased sense of opportunity. With the Turin giants entering a period of transition, it provided the likes of the Milan clubs, Atalanta & Napoli the ideal chance to supplant the Bianconeri at the top of the table.
Even though there was perhaps an acceptance that Juve would not make it ten Scudetti on the spin, no one would have expected Pirlo’s team to struggle for a top four finish. A spirited title challenge was the minimum requirement but going into the last match day, uncertain of Champions League qualification was not part of the plan.
Pirlo has rightly taken criticism for his decisions and tactical choices as attempting to bring his coaching thesis to life has proven difficult. In defence of “Il Maestro”, it was never likely to be plain sailing. Taking charge of one of Europe’s super clubs in your first managerial role takes character and courage, he was guaranteed to get things wrong. Pirlo would have realised that instilling his philosophy into a squad built with several players fixed in their playing style/positions adds to the complexity of the job.
The team has had highs and lows for the entire campaign with away victories against Milan, Barcelona and Inter (in the Coppa Italia semi-finals) shadowed by home defeats against Benevento, Fiorentina and the Rossoneri.
Crotone managed one point against the Bianconeri at the Ezio Scida, while Benevento went unbeaten against the Old Lady, with a draw at the Stadio Vigorito and a win in Turin, their only one in the girone di ritorno.
There was also time for controversies. Napoli failed to travel to Turin on October 4 because they had two players test positive for COVID-19.
Piotr Zielinski and Eljif Elmas had contracted the virus and the club argued it has been banned from travelling by the local health authority, which urged the team to self-isolate as a precaution.
Juventus turned up for the game, knowing Napoli would not be there. The Bianconeri were initially given a 3-0 win dy default, but the CONI Collegio di Garanzia ruled to reschedule the game. When the two sides finally met in April, the Old Lady sealed a 2-1 win.
Their final game at home of the season against Inter was also surrounded by controversy due to a late penalty kick earned and converted by Juan Cuadrado who helped the Old Lady collect some vital three points ahead of the decisive tie at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
Pirlo no doubt holds accountability for Juve’s disappointments this season, but that is also true of those that control the club. All followers of Calcio and especially Juventini, will know this has been coming. Andrea Agnelli, Fabio Paratici and Co. have more than played their part in creating this chaos.
Inconsistent recruitment in the transfer market, a lack of a clear strategy and three coaches in three seasons is not exactly a recipe for success. Once you add in the problems the last year has thrown up, hiring a novice coach in pandemic times is almost as crazy as it sounds. Juventus need more stability throughout the club before they can again reach the heights of recent years.
Away from the negativity, there were still two trophies and moments to savour for Mister Pirlo. A Supper Coppa victory over Napoli was later followed by a superb display against fancied Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final to help restore a touch of credibility. They may not be significant enough achievements to hide the overall disappointment, but they provided welcome relief in times of trouble.
It is difficult to know what the near future holds for Juventus. There are many unanswered questions around the coach, the management staff and the playing squad. The only certainty is that further changes for The Old Lady are yet again on the horizon.
The Coach – Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo’s first experience on the sidelines will certainly serve him well in the future. As expected, he has handled himself expertly and professionally, but he will not be satisfied with his mistakes or the number of poor results he has been on the receiving end of. Pirlo has his share of interesting ideas for a modern style of football and it will be interesting to see how his career develops from here – but the chances are, it will develop away from Juventus as Max Allegri gets closer to returning.
Player of the year – Federico Chiesa
Honourable mentions for the Serie A leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, Juan Cuadrado, Danilo and Matthijs de Ligt, but Juve’s brightest star was Federico Chiesa. The Italian international was clutch in key moments and as the season has developed, he became increasingly integral to the Bianconeri. In full flight, he has been a joy to watch. A relentless worker without the ball, in possession he showed an array of qualities in attack, be it goal-scoring, assisting, combing with teammates or ghosting past opposition defenders. Juventus have a potential star in their ranks.
Defining moment – Big game defeats
There are a few prominent moments in Juve’s season. The recent league defeat to Milan was damaging to their hopes of finishing in the top four, the early Champions League exit at the hands of Porto but the victories over Barcelona and the previously mentioned cup success over Atalanta all stand out. The last day was decisive to earn a top four finish, a situation all the Bianconeri don’t want to find themselves in ever again.
Did you know?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first Juventus player to become Capocannoniere since Alessandro Del Piero in 2017-18.
Read the full 2020-21 Serie A season review here.