Serie A Season Preview: Juventus

Juventus step into the new season with mixed emotions. One one hand they very impressively claimed their first Scudetto since 2006 when the Calciopoli scandal lead to their relegation from the Serie A, which leaves them high on confidence and inspired for the new season.But on the other hand several members of Juventus were found guilty in the latest betting scandal colloquially known as the Calcio Scommesse in Italy, which has thrown the spotlight on the fact that several Serie B matches were fixed.

Nevertheless, Juventus look in great shape for their opening fixture against Parma despite the long term suspension of manager Antonio Conte. Club’s Director General Giuseppe Marotta who played a key role in the transfers Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal to the rooster, has high hopes that the Bianconeri shall do well not only in their local domains but also in the Champions League this season.

THE SEASON THAT WAS

The team started the season with a new coach, Antonio Conte, and a new stadium(named Juventus Stadium shifting from the Stadio Olimpico). They won the Serie A title on 6 May 2012 by beating Caligari on the penultimate day of the season, building on A.C.Milan’s defeat against Inter Milan in Derby della Madonnina, leaving them 4 points ahead. Juventus could not qualify for any European Championships due to a disgrace full 7th place finish the season before.

Juventus played a total of 38 league games wining 23 of them while securing 15 draws. Juventus were unbeaten this Serie A season as they did not lose a single league game. They finished with a +48 goal difference and an incredible 84 points.

TRANSFERS SO FAR

Juventus have spent fairly this season to secure some good players.

Player IN:

Name FROM FEE (in Euros)

Martin Caceres Sevilla 8 mKwadwo Asamoah Udinese 9 mMauricio Isla Udinese 9.5mSebastian Giovinco Parma 11mEmanuele Giaccherini Cesena 4.2mLucio Internazionale FreeAlberto Masi Pro Vercelli UndisclosedRichmond Boakye Genoa 4mPaul Pogba Man. Utd Free

Several players have gone the other way too,with Christian Pasquato, Eljero Elia, Alessandro Del Piero, Alexander Manniger, Fabio Grosso Marco Borriello, Marcelo Estigarribia, Marco Motta, Milos Krasic, Felipe Melo all having left the club.

First Team Squad, Formation and the Bench

Juventus will probably continue with the the 3-5-2 formation as they have for quite some time now. However, the signing of Caceres as their RB and with Paolo de Ceglie developing as a LB, Juve may opt for a 4-4-2 formation too

EXPECTATIONS THIS SEASON

With AC Milan loosing their marquee players and the big players of Inter still in poor form, Juventusare favorites to take the cup home this year too; however, this time the margin may be even larger given the signings made.

Juventus shall be playing in the Champions League after 3 long years and that should inspire them to show the world that they mean some serious business. With the experience and influx of talent into the squad, the squad now has the dept required to successfully compete in the European scenario.

However, the absence of manager Conte can make matters slightly difficult and complicated, and its only for us to see if they end up in disarray or come out of the mess in style.

PREDICTION

SERIE A: 1st

The Coppa Italia: Finals

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Knockout Stages.