J Stadium/Allianz (49 Viewers)

[francesco]

Yes I am, but that's besides the point. Everyone goes nuts when their national team wins the world cup. The truth is, from my experience living there (which I've done on two separate occasions) that people don't even watch qualifiers, keep up with who's in and out of the squad and follow them religiously. Italians pay much more attention and are much more passionate about their clubs that's just their focus. You obviously don't know Italy. It has major identity problems especially in more isolated areas which counts towards a large part of the country who consider themselves more Puglisese, more Venetian etc. then Italian.

You can shut up about me having to love the Italian flag to love Juventus. Say that to half the people on this forum and see the reaction you get. This is Juventus, not the Italian national team and I find it embarrassing that we pose as a beacon of Italian nationalism. I don't know one other club at the level of Juventus' which does so with their national colours. And all this is coming from someone with a strong Italian background.

I have lived there too mate and you are wrong! The Italian national team is always spoken about and who is in and out of the squad has always been a major debate. It always has been and always will be..Ever since I was a child there has always been talk about who was not chosen and who doesnt deserve to be called up. Saying that the Italian population doesn't care has me dumbfounded to say the least! Sure people in Italy like to say that they are Calabrese, or Sicilian or Milanese, etc etc but at the end of the day they are all from Italy, a very patriotic nation that loves its people and its flag!

I know this is Juventus and not the national team, but just realize that Juve is from ITALY and if they want to show their love for the country they are from then so be it. I know what reaction I'd receive if I was to say that to half the people on this forum, and i'll repeat what I said..there is too much racism especially towards Italians on this forum.

 

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[adriano_c]

there is too much racism especially towards Italians on this forum.

Yeah, I'm sure we've all noticed it at this point. It's one thing to bash Marotta's stupidity and fixation with mediocre players who happen to share the same passport as him and Del Neri, but otherwise, the constant little insults towards Italy/Italians in general get on my nerves.

-edit. It just occurred to me, but does anyone else think this newly renewed "Italian pride" nonsense from Juve stems from our lack of success in the last five years? A cheap marketing ploy for winning over more neutral fans domestically? In an effort to be seen as "the people's team" or something like that? Combined with the away strip, blah blah...seems oddly conspicuous.

 

[francesco]

Yeah, I'm sure we've all noticed it at this point. It's one thing to bash Marotta's stupidity and fixation with mediocre players who happen to share the same passport as him and Del Neri, but otherwise, the constant little insults towards Italy/Italians in general get on my nerves.

I agree, being Italian I love seeing Italians in the Juve squad but not if they arent up to Juventus' standard. Winning trophies is what matters and Marotta & Co need to venture out into Europe and South America a little more but on that note, I dont want to end up like Arsenal or Inter with 11 foreigners on the pitch.. although Inter have improved over the last couple years.

 

[francesco]

It just occurred to me, but does anyone else think this newly renewed "Italian pride" nonsense from Juve stems from our lack of success in the last five years? A cheap marketing ploy for winning over more neutral fans domestically? In an effort to be seen as "the people's team" or something like that? Combined with the away strip, blah blah...seems oddly conspicuous.

But Juve has always been the backbone of the Italian National team. The club doesnt need to try to win over any more fans as we have the most fans in the country. I put our lack of success down to incompetent directors and management. We had and still have the foreigners in our team but they have flopped (Almiron, Tiago, Diego, Melo? etc) the problem definitely isnt anything to do with 'italian pride'. Just my opinion anyway..

 

[Rollie]

It just occurred to me, but does anyone else think this newly renewed "Italian pride" nonsense from Juve stems from our lack of success in the last five years? A cheap marketing ploy for winning over more neutral fans domestically? In an effort to be seen as "the people's team" or something like that? Combined with the away strip, blah blah...seems oddly conspicuous.

I think so. And when you juxtapose the state of our club with that of Inter, it makes a lot of sense. Inter has been highly successful over the past five seasons, but has been criticized for having extremely limited Italian content. During this current down cycle in Italian football, I feel like Inter have distanced themselves from many Italian fans (Despite winning the CL, they're viewed as sellouts by many. Plus, they're effectively responsible for Calciopoli, which has hurt Italian football considerably).

Juve on the other hand, with considerable Italian content, have suffered - along with the Azzurri, and most fans across the country. This marketing project is pretty savvy IMO, and somewhat akin to a second wedding; the club reaffirms its commitment to the close bond it has with the Italian people, reminding them that for better or worse, Juventus will continue to be a club by/for the people of Italy.

That's my quick take on it anyway.

Edit: Plus, on top of that, this is the first stadium actually owned by an Italian club. So splashing the flag about is a little statement/reminder about positive progress being made in Calcio, something that is badly needed. This is almost like a modern football pioneering moment of sorts for Italy, and the club is (arguably) saying that it's because of/for the people.

So, in short, distance the club from Inter, embrace the Italian people, onwards and upwards.

 

[electricRoo]

...i'll repeat what I said..there is too much racism especially towards Italians on this forum.

You are trivializing racism. Do not equate sporting matters with actual racism.

LOL, a lot of italians themselves are racist son of a bitches as well, ask any black player in Serie A, what do italians have to complain about?

 

[adriano_c]

LOL, a lot of italians themselves are racist son of a bitches as well, ask any black player in Serie A, what do italians have to complain about?

Doesn't somehow mitigate the childish anti-Italian droning here.

 

[Bianconero_Aus]

Nenna, that's simply not true. The people of Torino are particularly proud of Italy. Sure there is a strong sense of regionalism and pariochialism in Italy...but you'll find similar feelings and sentiments towards "national pride" in most countries - Spain, Germany. England and even Australia

Now if you are aware of the history of Italy, you would know that Turin was the first (and original) capital of a United and Unified Italy and the first true Italian statesman Camilo Di Cavour was from Turin. Also the united Piemontese-Sardinian kingdom defeated the Austrians in the North which in turn helped bring unification to the country - along with Garibaldi down south.

It's also unwise to underestimate Juve's proud history in the peninsula; having the most fans in Italy, the most Azzurri representatives and WC winners etc. It's clear the club is proud of their Azzurri past and present, and it's something that the club will always persist on reaffirming to the masses whether we like it or not.

I personally would prefer we used the black and white colours more prominently outside and around the new stadium, but I can see why the club is persisting with the Italian theme. It's a somewhat savvy and smart marketing approach the club is taking and probably a dig at a certain blue and black club that plays in Milan. Im just happy my team will have a brand spanking new stadium and will be the first team in the country to own their own stadium. Innovators!

And I do get quite irritated with all the borderline racist comments targeted towards Italy and Italians in general. It's one thing to rip into the FIGC and the Italian government etc, but the never ending remarks and generalisation of Italians as a people is getting pretty ridiculous. Ease up peeps.

 

[francesco]

Amen to that Bianconero_Aus, AMEN!!

 

[francesco]

Juve on the other hand, with considerable Italian content, have suffered - along with the Azzurri, and most fans across the country.

I feel as though you are somewhat putting the Azzurri's lack of success together with that of Juve's? The Azzurri's downfall was because of a stubborn Mr. Lippi who persisted with an ageing squad and failed to introduce young blood prior to the 2010 WC. We are now seeing a new, refreshed Azzurri side, simply because Prandelli has gradually integrated youngsters into the team.

 

[JuveJay]

It just occurred to me, but does anyone else think this newly renewed "Italian pride" nonsense from Juve stems from our lack of success in the last five years? A cheap marketing ploy for winning over more neutral fans domestically? In an effort to be seen as "the people's team" or something like that? Combined with the away strip, blah blah...seems oddly conspicuous.

Yes, although we had been making moves since Moggi's time, with tricolore kits (the red one), then the scudetto wristbands in B, and carrying it on further with kits until the ultimate with Marotta

I think the club take a lot of pride in what it has done for the Italy national team over decades, which is great. But as others have said, it doesn't really need plastering everywhere. People know what Juventus is built upon, what it represents on the pensinsular, but that is neither here nor there in regards to the current situation of the club. When we become a strong club again from top to bottom, then that is how we best advertise ourselves as Italian football and help provide better quality players.

You are trivializing racism. Do not equate sporting matters with actual racism.

LOL, a lot of italians themselves are racist son of a bitches as well, ask any black player in Serie A, what do italians have to complain about?

Call it what you will, xenophobia, ignorance, or just a general dislike (it'll be about 'fanboys' in the end, I'm quite sure), I think the general negative sentiment is more what people are getting at. But that happens here, any positive thought that isn't embraced by the majority has to be completely overwhelmed and highlighted, for some reason.

 

[Rollie]

I feel as though you are somewhat putting the Azzurri's lack of success together with that of Juve's? The Azzurri's downfall was because of a stubborn Mr. Lippi who persisted with an ageing squad and failed to introduce young blood prior to the 2010 WC. We are now seeing a new, refreshed Azzurri side, simply because Prandelli has gradually integrated youngsters into the team.

Yes, Lippi's squad selection was a big part of the problem.

Our management has been terrible as well, and has often failed over the past 5 years to integrate young blood into the team effectively... Another link between the two teams!

Anyway, I feel like there are many, many parallels between the two teams and it's absolutely appropriate to link them. Player content, positional weaknesses, etc., etc. I'll save everyone the rant, I should go to sleep anyways.

 

[Joe]

You are trivializing racism. Do not equate sporting matters with actual racism.

LOL, a lot of italians themselves are racist son of a bitches as well, ask any black player in Serie A, what do italians have to complain about?

You're a joke.

 

[Nenz]

Nenna, that's simply not true. The people of Torino are particularly proud of Italy. Sure there is a strong sense of regionalism and pariochialism in Italy...but you'll find similar feelings and sentiments towards "national pride" in most countries - Spain, Germany. England and even Australia

Now if you are aware of the history of Italy, you would know that Turin was the first (and original) capital of a United and Unified Italy and the first true Italian statesman Camilo Di Cavour was from Turin. Also the united Piemontese-Sardinian kingdom defeated the Austrians in the North which in turn helped bring unification to the country - along with Garibaldi down south.

It's also unwise to underestimate Juve's proud history in the peninsula; having the most fans in Italy, the most Azzurri representatives and WC winners etc. It's clear the club is proud of their Azzurri past and present, and it's something that the club will always persist on reaffirming to the masses whether we like it or not.

I personally would prefer we used the black and white colours more prominently outside and around the new stadium, but I can see why the club is persisting with the Italian theme. It's a somewhat savvy and smart marketing approach the club is taking and probably a dig at a certain blue and black club that plays in Milan. Im just happy my team will have a brand spanking new stadium and will be the first team in the country to own their own stadium. Innovators!

And I do get quite irritated with all the borderline racist comments targeted towards Italy and Italians in general. It's one thing to rip into the FIGC and the Italian government etc, but the never ending remarks and generalisation of Italians as a people is getting pretty ridiculous. Ease up peeps.

So you've based your opinion on the entirety of Italy based on Torino. Whether we have a strong Italian past or not, its ludicrous that we even dare to present ourselves with the tri-colours even more then we even do with the bianconero. Its fucking unacceptable for any club in the world to put their country before their team.
Bianconero_Aus how Italian are you? Were you even born in Italy? What brings about this Italian nationalist sentiment? You are living in Australia mate so don't go whinging when people criticise the FIGC (who are systematically killing Italian football with their nationalist approach to club football), the Italian government which is among the most terrible least organised governments I've come across out of all the european countries I've lived in. Italy is wayyy behind the likes of France, Spain, Germany and Britain. Berlusconi has made racism and sexism the norm in Italy, he's driven up unemployment and driven out most of the Italian youth to Britain and Germany. Under the current Italian government the future of Italy seems very very bleak. So don't get all high and mighty about Italian institutions because Italy is inherently flawed in a variety of ways. I think you need to quit waving your Italian flag and get real.

 

[Salvatore]

Man, fuck Italy and FIGC. They're the reason Juve is in this position right now

I don't see the connection between the Italian national team and a few individuals at the FIGC in regards to Juventus being relegated in 2006.

And before the last match apparently it was disrespectful to play the national anthem? Bizarre.

 

[electricRoo]

Call it what you will, xenophobia, ignorance, or just a general dislike (it'll be about 'fanboys' in the end, I'm quite sure), I think the general negative sentiment is more what people are getting at. But that happens here, any positive thought that isn't embraced by the majority has to be completely overwhelmed and highlighted, for some reason.

Italian is not a race, it's a nationality. The negative sentiment is brought by us going after italians despite this generation being subpar, and we are not even going after the best of the subpar elements that are available (Balotelli, Cassano). It's because Juve puts nationality ahead of their own well being, nothing more, there's nothing "racist" or xenophobic against Italy or Italians.

Hell, like I mentioned, they have their own issues to deal with themselves, Italians are some of the most xenophobic and racist peoples in Europe.

 

[adriano_c]

Italians are some of the most xenophobic and racist peoples in Europe.

Prove it.

 

[The Curr]

Prove it.

It was a wild generalisation, but there are more racists incidents in Italian football than there are in most other major European countries.

 

[only-juve]

So you've based your opinion on the entirety of Italy based on Torino. Whether we have a strong Italian past or not, its ludicrous that we even dare to present ourselves with the tri-colours even more then we even do with the bianconero. Its fucking unacceptable for any club in the world to put their country before their team.
Bianconero_Aus how Italian are you? Were you even born in Italy? What brings about this Italian nationalist sentiment? You are living in Australia mate so don't go whinging when people criticise the FIGC (who are systematically killing Italian football with their nationalist approach to club football), the Italian government which is among the most terrible least organised governments I've come across out of all the european countries I've lived in. Italy is wayyy behind the likes of France, Spain, Germany and Britain. Berlusconi has made racism and sexism the norm in Italy, he's driven up unemployment and driven out most of the Italian youth to Britain and Germany. Under the current Italian government the future of Italy seems very very bleak. So don't get all high and mighty about Italian institutions because Italy is inherently flawed in a variety of ways. I think you need to quit waving your Italian flag and get real.

:hellyes: for every word

 

[Djabrail]

Dont know bout u, guys,but i dont have any problems with Italy colours. My little bro cried when Azzurri won WC in 2006 and we are both die hard juventini. We wouldnt even have this conversation, if we had players like Cassano,Rossi, Cassani, Balzaretti at our disposal.