Could it be that most of the work is done in practice, but Conte's presence along the sidelines remains a boost? I'm not saying Marotta doesn't have a role in what we achieved, he has, but Conte's the one doing the hard work.
I appreciate his work for the most part and I don't think there is viable options other than him, I just don't think he's perfect.
It's just ironic that players such as Vucinic and Buffon, and Pavel Nedved himself have stated how much Conte's presence is missed on the sidelines. And in no way am I trying to diminish what Conte does for the team. But I think that it speaks volumes for the players, especially the QUALITY of the players, that they were able to perform the way they did without their coach, who at this present point in time is the face of the club. Part of that is the ability of the DS to put that type of team together.
You can go back throughout these 736 pages and you will not find me saying that Marotta is perfect. But I like the direction that this club is taking. Building a self sustaining Juve, with a re-emphasis in signing young talents to hopefully bring up through the pipeline. Having a younger, more athletic, deeper team than at any time in the last 6 seasons. Do you look at this team, even with a couple of players being on the wrong side of 30, and say to yourself "Oh God. They HAVE to win now. This window is closing, and closing fast" In other words, do you see them as Milan were viewed at this time 2 years ago and last year? I don't see that. I see a bunch of players who are still a couple of years from hitting their prime in Vidal, Giovinco, Bonucci, Caceres, players who could develop to be pillars of the next Juve in Pogba and Marrone, young players that Juve have their hands on in Boakye, and Gabbiadini, and an emphasis in scouting to bring young players through the pipeline.
He isn't perfect, he's made his mistakes, but no DS is ever, ever perfect. If the perfect DS were out there, he would be gainfully employed right now, and the club he is working for would be winning the CL every year.
Speaking of that, take a look at all the teams that have made the round of 16, and especially take a close look at those who topped their group, and compare the financial strength of those clubs to Juve. Hell, there are even several 2nd place teams who have far more financial might than Juve do at this point in time.
So what is their success over the last 18 months attributed to? Is it just Conte, is it just the players, is it just Marotta? No, to all three. It's a group effort.