Juve, ko in the first test One year ago Pirlo won the Super Cup

TORINO

It has never been a lifeline or a great goal of the season, but at this historic moment Juventus also lacks the possibility of being able to cling to the Super Cup to find a smile and chase away some excess tension. Accustomed to winning titles after titles in Italy, as many as 19 trophies between league titles and national cups in these ten years, the bianconeri have tasted the taste of defeat in the worst way (a goal in the 121st minute) and against their rival ever.

The passing of the baton with Inter risks leaving heavy waste in a club where a Bonipertian motto always stands out (“Winning is the only thing that matters”) and where coaches who have won a championship (Sarri) or two cups (Pirlo ) were sacked at the end of the season. Allegri has broad shoulders and a history full of laurels in his 299 Juventus benches, but also a long contract like this after being recalled to re-found the team and restart the golden cycle. So the Livorno coach did not make any dramas after the 2-1 at San Siro, but there is pessimism in the air for a team without rhyme or reason and an uncomfortable comparison with his predecessor begins to hover. And not only because Andrea Pirlo, who was still on the payroll, had won the Super Cup on the first try by beating Napoli (2-0) in the Reggio Emilia final a year ago. That Juve had more points in the league (42 against the current 38 after 21 days), was permanently in the Champions area, scored more (41 against 32) and in January had experienced a golden month with 8 successes in 9 games (one knockout, always against Inter).

It is clear that the difference was made by Cristiano Ronaldo, top scorer with 20 goals and absolute catalyst of attention. CR7 left at the last minute, but Juve did nothing to keep him – due to his salary as bulky as his ego – and to find a high-level alternative. For this Allegri is paying dearly for the difficulties of the attack, he is looking for a new striker (Icardi is tough and Aubameyang can come on loan from Arsenal in exchange for Arthur), while the current striker is at the center of a new case . Paulo Dybala, 9 goals in 1342 minutes played (600 fewer than Locatelli, one of the most used), has not yet signed the renewal of a contract expiring at the end of June and continues to be “poked” by Maurizio Arrivabene.

Even before Inter-Juve, the Juventus CEO tried to stimulate him in his own way (“Whoever carries the 10 must realize the weight that this number has for us”), but Joya started from the bench, she made little or nothing in extra time and in the end he did not hide anger and disappointment for the moment he is experiencing both on and off the pitch. The Argentine seeks continuity, but also serenity: the agreement with Juve has been in existence for some time, but the signing continues to slip amid rumors of salary cuts or his signing with other teams. Hypotheses already denied and at the end of the month his agent will return to Turin to close the endless soap opera. Extra time is not good for this Juve. –