Why you should support the Old Lady in this year’s Champions League…
Juventus booked their place in the Champions League last 16 last night after a tense 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid. Here’s five good reasons to support the Turin club as the knockout stages begin.
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5) Chronic underperformers
Juventus have dominated in Italy over the past few seasons, but have not been able to translate that dominance into European performances.
After messing up their group last season they ended up in the Europa League, where they somehow contrived to lose the semi final to a seriously inferior 10 man Benfica team they should have beaten with ease, missing out on a final at the Juventus stadium in the process.
4) Italy’s last hope
For those of us who grew up with “Football Italia” on our screens (actually I didn’t ever watch it, I’m not sure who did, but everyone claims to have done), the current state of Italian football is pretty dire. AC and Inter’s squads are as weak as they’ve been in living memory, Roma’s star player is Gervinho, and Napoli are managed by Rafael Benitez.
Juventus are Italy’s one remaining representative, and you should want to see them do well.
3) Great football
The wing back system introduced by Antonio Conte is still going strong, and it’s generally a joy to behold. The dynamic midfield quadrant of Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio rotataes constantly, as Stefan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah burst up the flanks in support.
Carlos Tevez is in fine form up front, terrier-ing around up front in the shadow of blue-eyed target man Fernando Llorente, who is finally finding some form.
2) Historic team
Ok, they may have indulged in some mild cheating in the past, but Juve are undeniably one of Europe’s most historic and storied sides. The idea that oil money is going to forever squeeze them out of contention for European honours in tragic. This may be the Old Lady’s last hurrah – enjoy it while you can.
1) Andrea Pirlo & Gianluigi Buffon
It’s not just Juventus who might never get this far again – these two giants of Italian football are almost at the end of their careers, and you won’t get many more chances to see them play in Champions League knockout games. Enjoy them while they last.