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Juventus are not doing very well, there’s no two ways about it. After failing to secure Champions League football last season, there were plenty of expectations from Luciano Spalletti and Co to get going this season and push higher up the table.
But things don’t seem to be going well for the Bianconeri, who as things stand are just about in the top half of the Serie A table. And matters outside of their control and also favouring them.
Here, we look at three main factors dictating Juve’s underwhelming start to the season.
A squad in crisis
Going into the summer transfer window, Spalletti needed players, and he specifically requested experienced operators across the pitch to galvanise the rest of the squad and propel his team up the ladder.
However, Juve missed out on most of their targets. In goal, the likes of Alisson Becker and Emi Martínez were targeted, only for Guglielmo Vicario to arrive on loan. In midfield, Franck Kessié’s move collapsed at the eleventh hour, with Pape Matar Sarr arriving in his stead.
Juve’s transfer activity left a lot to be desired, and they have since been further handicapped by an injury crisis that has particularly affected their midfield.
Juve CEO Giovanni Carnevali arrived from Sassuolo just this summer. He was always going to need some time to get his feet under the table, and he could hardly have had a worse hand dealt to him. Right now, there’s no outright shining light to guide the Old Lady, and the coach seems to be going adrift as well.
Tactical issues
Spalletti’s football does not seem to have a clear tactical identity, and that is also affecting players on the pitch. The coach recently had to face questions regarding a tactical shift against Lecce, and while that did work at the time, that they went on to lose the following game means the clouds of doubt have persisted.
Admittedly, Spalletti’s has got a lot going against him, but such is the nature of this industry that he will be the one replaced first if results don’t pick up soon.
Misfiring strikers
Juve’s situation in front of goal is particularly alarming. Randal Kolo Muani was brought back with a lot of effort, while Nick Woltemade arrived with a point to prove. 12 games into the season, however, they both have identically underwhelming numbers: three goals, two assists. The other option, Jeff Ekhator, is yet to feature and has been recovering from a hamstring strain.
The club are already considering their options to bring in someone in January, although given both Jonathan David and Loïs Openda struggled throughout last season, the issue seems far deeper than being just about players.
Juve’s attack is 13th-best in the league. 36% of their goals have come from dead-ball situations, and only two from open play. A confluence of tactical and personnel misfiring is critically hampering Juve’s ability to get results, and if this does’t change soon, then The Old Lady will have to start all over again.
Anshuman Joshi | GIFN
