Two Marco Di Vaio strikes put Juventus to the sword this weekend and pushed the club seemingly back into crisis mode. It followed last week’s 2-0 reverse at relegation candidates Lecce and, in all competitions, is the fifth loss from the last seven games for the Bianconeri. Resembling form witnessed last term, it has prompted director general Beppe Marotta’s interpretive words that Luigi Del Neri’s long-term future at the club may be in question.
Albeit whilst admitting everyone at the club is under similar pressure, the quotes on the Coach represent a change by the man responsible for a number of the outfit’s new strategies. Previously Marotta has supported Del Neri wholeheartedly, explaining with every positive and negative result and with every new player arrival or departure that the Juventus project from the summer of 2010 was long term, and patience was needed.
However, in six defeats since the turn of the year, sections of support and the media are beginning to lose patience and Marotta’s comments imply all may not be right in Turin. Concern is building over the team’s levels of performance again and even Del Neri admitted last week the club’s targets never felt further away.
Where defeat to Napoli brought about comparisons with last season’s statistics as being slightly better than this term’s numbers, it is the manner of the Lecce and Bologna performances that are bringing early suggestions of crisis back to the club.
In the wake of the Lecce defeat, Del Neri spoke of his side’s poor attitude, one that lacked intensity, failing to control the pace of play as Juventus recorded just one shot on target. Whilst followed by 22 attempts at Bologna’s goal on Saturday, only three were on target, and the Rossoblu converted their only two efforts on goal punishing slack defending – both goals off the back of lofted through-passes easily unlocking a back-line that then failed to press former Bianconeri man Di Vaio in the area.
Tellingly, perhaps what is causing most concern is not patterns of play on the field mimicking last season, but patterns of behaviour off it. Marotta spoke of not seeking scapegoats to rectify the situation – indeed a short-term decision could be made to the detriment of the long-term goals – but there is little in recent weeks to suggest anyone is stepping up to shoulder the responsibility, or even identify the main issues.
Management still have the excuse of having inherited last season’s troubles, Marotta has defended Del Neri’s mistakes as a matter of fact with injuries and new signings, whilst last week Del Neri pinned the Lecce defeat on the players and Andrea Agnelli demanded a reaction from them.
Marotta’s latest comments, however, signal the Coach is next in line for some of the blame. What could now turn a gentle tide of criticism – the type the club have had following every poor result this term – into a sea change is how the players respond.
Their performances signify struggles with adapting to the Coach’s specific requirements – marking space instead of players is a common one – and now they have this public message that his work is coming into question. Where their support falls in quotes, interviews and behaviour could give us the biggest indication of whether Del Neri’s future is in doubt, and how close Juve are to another crisis.
http://www.football-italia.net/blogs/rp61.html
Buy on AliExpress.com
