Hell froze over, we agree on something !
Cool.
What bothered me more wasn't even the level of performance per se, but the constant passive attitude and "cruising"/energy conserving mentality, that actually became lethargy. This I perceived as lack of effort, and that's what made me angry.
But now, actually I see a good window of opportunity here. It's in tough moments like this that a group can unify, be strong and overcame it together. Players may now find a stronger sense of unity and therefore some identity, that the team lacks so badly. Make no mistake, they are overwhelmed by criticism in Italy, by media and by the majority of fans. They are probably fed up with it - that's why players didn't talk to the press after the loss to Genoa. The fact Allegri is owning it up, protecting his players and showing leadership is positive.
It is the perfect oportunity to find that grinta and attitude this team has lacked so much. Genoa sent a blueprint to the rest of Serie A - like Milan and Inter showed before, you will cause Juve problem when you press high up with aggressiveness.
But now it's time for Juve itself to show aggression. Players must be pissed off and smash Atalanta. I think this could happen, and that guys can force their way till the end of the year going through some serious adversity. We've missed our main players for the whole semester now. It's either this or crumble.
All in all, I'm having an optimistc feel that this is when this team will start to actually gel together. That "us against the world" thing should wake them up. My guess is Allegri is instilling it and it started right after the game vs Genoa.