Cremona’s victory, smiles and hopes from the Juventus community to soon find a bright spot. Then, back to reality: three consecutive draws against Sporting Lisbon, Torino and Fiorentina. The result: Spalletti’s effect has been barely noticeable so far, apart from interesting communication and some applied intuition (Koopmeiners in a three-man defence, Yildiz left free to move as he pleases) but has not brought any progress to Juventus’ standings.
In short, Lady is more or less the same as seen with Tudor and, before that, with Thiago Motta: he doesn’t impose his own game, he stutters on football, he is fragile in defense and lacks personality. So, even when he took the lead, he didn’t freeze the game as he managed to do in the good times (in more recent times anyway, with Conte and Allegri on the bench) and won only a little: which then, in these parts and as a refrain memorized by anyone with a black and white heart, is the only thing that matters.
The result: the ranking has improved not only in terms of top positions, but also in terms of positions that will be received in the next Champions League. And this is the scenario that terrifies Comolli and his owners the most, because not finishing in fourth place would mean giving up almost a hundred million in UEFA earnings, sponsorship bonuses and box office: meaning the final capital increase would be almost entirely wasted.
In short, the prospect should be avoided and that’s it. By changing tactics, trying to increase the technical speed of the team, it is also a paradox that recently among the best there is Kostic, who reappeared from nowhere – and perhaps risking something: the transition to a back four (of course it will happen) could for example convince Spalletti to play with two attacking wingers and not adapt McKennie in the front line.
However, there is no time to waste and tomorrow night, in the cold weather in Norway, three points against Bodo Glimt will be crucial to avoid escalating tensions even in an already complicated European campaign.
