After nine games in Serie A we have Juventus on top of the table. It is to early to shout about title contenders especially with the Italian league being one of the most competitive in Europe at the moment AC Milan, Lazio, Udinese and Napoli all breathing down Juve’s neck. But what are the reasons for the Juve revival?

Well here are five reasons I think have helped the Old Lady this season, so far.

1. Antonio Conte

Well new coach Antonio Conte might only be 42 years old but the man knows what its like to win at Juventus. As a player in 12 years playing in the middle of the park for Juve, Conte won five Serie A titles, a Champions League trophy and a UEFA Cup. Cut him open and he would probably bleed Bianco e Nero. As a manager he has won the Serie B title with Bari. Successful managers breed success throughout their squads.

He has come in and tried to establish a team with strong continuity. Ten players have figured in seven or more of the nine games. He is showing faith in players. He has came in and shown he is not afraid of dropping players with big reputations, its a new era under Antonio Conte and its going to be done his way. This strength of character can be seen in great former coaches such as Marcello Lippi and Fabio Capello.

We should also look at the fact that Juve seem to preform better after Conte’s half-time team talks. Out of the 15 goals scored in nine games, nine of the goals have came in the second half. Against Catania Juve were trailing by a goal before a second half revival saved them a point. Plus Against Siena and Milan, Juventus came out drawing at half time to grab goals and all three points in both games. Another thing that Antonio Conte has brought the side is resilience and the ability to dominate games against their biggest rivals.

2. Alessandro Matri

The forward has made eight appearances, started six times and bagged four goals. All of these goals have been important goals his brace against Genoa secured a point in the 2-2 draw and his goals against Siena and Fiorentina both ended up being winners! In the latest big game against Inter Matri was credited with two assists.

He seems to be developing a bit of a partnership with new signing Mirko Vucinic. His movement has been very clever this season taking defenders out of position allowing players especially Claudio Marchisio the chance to run into free space. He can also link up well, look at Marchisio’s goal against Inter, with his back to goal Matri received the ball from Claudio held off a defender kept the ball long enough for Marchisio to run clear and he gave the ball back to him and the Bianconeri.

As for his goals Matri is a penalty box predator. He very much favours his right foot but can also grab a goal with his head. The most impressive thing is Alessandro always manages to find just enough space to get his shot away. Given a bit of time he seems to prefer to hit across goal from the right with his right foot and ending up beating the keeper at his far post. He wont go for the curling placed shot like a Thierry Henry but more likely strike it true with the top of his foot. His goals are very instinctive and as I say he has started to become invaluable for the team. Although it is worth mentioning that he has been brought off four times in the six goals he has started.

3. The New Stadium

Ok maybe not a great reason you may suggest but they have yet to lose there. Yes the home form has been the same as the away form this season but finding your feet in a brand new stadium can often be hard just ask Arsenal.

You don’t want to have to search out that first win too long or it becomes are burden around your neck and by thumping Parma 4-1 there on the first day that is a great start to any new era. The fact is that it has brought the club and fans closer together and it was much needed. Every team wants to build a fortress at home and Conte has the ‘Lets not lose our first game here’ line any half time until they eventually do lose at the Juventus Stadium.

4. Alessandro Del Piero

Now for the past 18 seasons had I been writing this article it would have been praising  Del Piero’s outstanding contributions on the pitch. Thing is for the past few years the Bianconeri have been been to reliant on the 36 year old striker. The man is a superstar and has won it all and I am delighted that he is there for the new era at the new stadium but the fact he has only started twice speaks volumes. The 67 minutes against Parma during the first competitive match at the new stadium for me was a touching tribute from ex playing buddy Conte. Fact is Conte knows that this is a new era for him and Juventus and the current squad need to show they can stand up without needing the great APD!

He gets on during most games but either as a gesture to the man himself and the loyal fans or in a desperate measure to chase a win and not usually with a lot of time on the clock. We all knew that this was his final year and I think Conte has proved he will handle it with care without disrupting the starting eleven.

5. Andrea Pirlo

Many may have thought that by getting rid of Andrea Pirlo, AC Milan were telling the world he was done, washed up! Fact is he is only 32, he has started all nine Serie A games so far, which is only three short of his total starts for Milan last season. He hasn’t just started all the games in Serie A this season but he has also finished them all racking up 810 minutes, this classy player is certainly not washed up.

As he did for many season with Milan and the Azzurri, Pirlo dictates play, calms everything down and keeps the ball moving. It was noticeable that he didn’t touch the ball as much against Inter as he had done previously but the defence was shaky and wanted rid of the ball as much as possible, hoofing it up field. But when they lead for a second time Pirlo got more of the ball and again seemed to settle those around him.

His arrival has help Simone Pepe, Claudio Marchisio and fellow new boy Arturo Vidal develop. They trust him with the ball and they have become more creative and pushed further forward. Its no doubt that they have all helped him too doing a lot of the leg work for the veteran but it has been beneficial to the team.

Conte needed a leader in the middle of the park especially with Del Piero not playing and Giorgio Chiellini being very shaky at the back. With Pirlo he has that. Pirlo leads by example and seems to hold certain players hands and see them through games when needed. And just like Conte himself Andrea Pirlo is a winner!

Now as I mentioned before Juventus are not title favourites this early on. This Serie A seems to have more title contenders than ever before and there are still reasons for Juve to be fearful. I have already mentioned that the defence has been lets say weak and sometimes very fortunate. So far they have had great continuity but what will happen if a few of the top players start getting injured can others step up? How will they react to defeat? You can only tell what real champions are made of if they handle defeat well and overcome it quickly can Juve do this? Surely for a season of success Conte needs to get more out of the wayward Milos Krasic who can beat teams by himself at times but so far Conte has not seen anywhere the best from the Serb.

Whatever happens its just good to have a competitive Serie A and a Juventus that at least look hungry for success and titles again.

 

Posted on November 1st, 2011 by scott
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