Coach's Strength Lies in Defense: Juventus's Challenge

Carnevali's defense of Spalletti and the club's leadership is understandable, though perhaps the order of defense should be reversed. At Juventus, time moves faster than anywhere else. Certainly, a single "crazy" loss in Reggio Emilia shouldn't unravel the work done to bring order to the inherited disarray. Yet, it's evident, not just from results, that these efforts haven't been enough, and mistakes have been repeated. No one is making excuses about injuries—though they should be acknowledged—which have altered the identity the team aimed to regain after last season. With the transfer market closed and most deals stalled by costs, these are the consequences. Some might ask how this relates to the recent game. Others might argue that emergencies are precisely when technical resources and ideas for recovery should emerge. However, the team's personality isn't growing, for better or worse. The core issue remains a lack of quality, and critically, the coach's decisive contribution is also missing.

Spalletti is a seasoned and astute coach. He understands he cannot demand much more from this new squad because the right players are missing in key offensive roles, players capable of individual brilliance. Inter and Roma have them, reflected in their perfect league records. Teams lacking such individuals compensate with collective strength. Against Milan and Sassuolo, Juventus conceded first before showing any real reaction. These matches only hinted at a desire to win, with flashes of individual pride rekindling hope. Ultimately, there's too much reliance on individual talent at the expense of team play. Too many players are being used in roles that aren't secondary. Without adequate protection, the defense falters. A two-man midfield cannot rely solely on the characteristics of Luiz and Koopmeiners. Furthermore, the offensive play cannot depend only on wingers' assaults and a playmaker like Gonzalez, who is also expected to add density in midfield. The imperfect transfer market has led to even more imperfect solutions with Spalletti's insistence on not changing the setup.

“Changing the coach is not my style,” CEO Carnevali rightly reminds the public the day after the Reggio Emilia defeat. However, this reassurance must translate into greater responsibility for the coach in the upcoming two matches—in the Cup and against Atalanta—before the long break allows doubts to shadow his tenure. The season must continue until the end, but no further. If the team isn't yet highly competitive, the coach must at least demonstrate effective leadership. Juventus's strength, above all else and every decision.