A transitional season can also be implied as one that is less successful than the previous, but still successful nonetheless, such as a Scudetto and a QF appearance, which would be really good considering the transition to the roster and the focus on young players
This is based on a very questionable assumption of us winning the scudetto and making CL QF. If that were to happen, I would say we have for all practical purposes achieved our objectives (needless to say I'd be overjoyed). Unfotunatelty not seeing it play out as simply as that my man. If the mercato closed today, I honestly see us fighting hard for second place. A fit Asamoah would've given me a bit more certsinty, but the midfield is one more 2 month injury away from losing the engine required for a title winning run.
And if Vidal was sacrificed for an AM, then that discussion needs to close too. I want us to close this mercsto on a high, and hopefully one of Draxler/Goetze will help us do that even from an image point of view, along with stayi injury free and adapting to the team quickly. Still not convinced going with Draxler, and I'd still be underwhelmed if he was our marquee signing. But that's me.
- - - Updated - - -
If I'm not mistaken, Conte's first year was a "transitional year" and what did we witness? Massive squad changes, new formation and a future undefeated season.
Oh, wait. Last year, a new coach, new formation...technically also a transitional year...and we won the double and a CL final
Conte's first season was indeed a transitional one, but also because we had a new coach with new ideas etc. What happened in that year and season, should not be compared with where the team is today. We were coming off two seventh place finishes. The motivations were far different then, than they are today. That team purely triumphed on spirit ably led by Conte's attitude, and he made each one of the players imbibe his belief and energy. The coach, players came together in an almost symbiotic, pre-destined manner, and it really is the stuff of legend. Please don't expect that to happen in every transitional cycle because it will not. Keep in mind, before Conte, even Del Neri was a transition.
What happened with Allegri's arrival as new coach, could also be considered a season along the same lines. But you had Tevez, Vidal and to a lesser extent Pirlo to make that transition what it turned out to be. Again, if you expect it all to be as simple, it really isn't. Consider that the competition have moved well on the mercsto, there is not as much disparity between teams as there were last season, and we haven't really seen Allegri face a crisis situation yet at Juve. He's a great tactician, but he's not a man manager, and when the pressure is on, you need a combination of that, alongside some leaders on the pitch to pull you through. We've lost too much in the off season and not replaced their weight on the field, or in the dressing room. So when we are missing that, and have some need gaps that are still being looked into, I'd say we are losing a bit of the initiative that we carried forward winning season after winning season.