Football Season Guide

Coming off 3 extraordinary triumphs in a row, after the confirmation of coach Conte at the end of the past campaign Juventus seemed to be heading towards another successful season. After all, their rivals seemed incapable of bridging the gap existing with the Old Lady, whatever their investments. Then, the impossible actually happened. Conte left, during the preseason, and Juventus had to come up with a replacement. The choice fell on Allegri, despite his recent set-backs with Milan, his having caused Pirlo’s departure towards Juventus and the rage of the supporters. However, the new season was supposed to represent a change in Juventus strategies. In fact, they wanted to become competitive again also at an international level. The adoption of a 4-3-3 formation should have somehow helped them towards that direction. Conte’s departure and a transfer campaign quite different from what expected by the fans should lead to a confirmation of the usual 3-5-2 system of play, though. And a farewell to their highest ambitions. Vucinic, Peluso, Quagliarella, Osvaldo and Isla, who had not managed to impose themselves among the starters, have all been let go. Allegri will be able to count on Evra from Manchester and Romulo from Hellas Verona for the flanks of the midfield. Morata arrived from Real Madrid hoping to become more than just an alternative to Tevez and Llorente. Polyvalent Pereyra should represent a valid alternative both for the midfield and the attack while Coman, a winger arrived for free from PSG, is expected to become a surprise as occurred to Pogba in the recent past. More signings are needed if they really want to fight for both the Scudetto and the Champions League. A defender, since Ogbonna proved to be a failure so far, another midfielder, especially if Vidal will be sacrificed to Premier League money, and another striker, with Giovinco still incapable of making the grade, are absolutely needed.