Former Juventus defender Mark Iuliano believes the club are taking the right approach in the summer transfer window: ‘Enough of being hostages of the players’ mothers, Juve comes first’. Speaking with TuttoJuve, Iuliano touched on a number of subjects impacting the club this summer, including the significant changes made at the managerial level:
The idea is that compared to the recent past, the differences are visible even at the level of corporate choices. Do you agree?
“I agree, the club is operating well and is showing great strength. I liked how they behaved with Rabiot, they didn’t make problems. They are doing an excellent transfer campaign so far and have an excellent coach, we are all there waiting with great trepidation for the start of the new season. I am very satisfied with Cristiano Giuntoli’s work.”
Can Cristiano Giuntoli’s strong and decisive modus operandi resemble that of Luciano Moggi?
“Luciano Moggi can only teach, because he was the greatest general manager of recent years. If only there were others so good, I think then that the comparison for Cristiano should be a compliment.”
You were saying that you liked the club a lot with Rabiot, can we say the same about the way they are handling Chiesa?
“Finally we understood, but maybe it was someone else who should have remembered, that Juve comes before the players. That’s the message that’s coming from the club, because the one who demonstrates and fully embraces the project is right to stay in Turin. I totally agree with what they are doing, I think that players should love and give everything for those who pay you and for these wonderful fans.”
Your indirect answer, therefore, makes us well understand how Juve comes before everyone, even champions like Chiesa.
“I’ve always thought this, great clubs come before players. Juve provides a world to perform at their best, then if they are unhappy and don’t perform it’s right that they go elsewhere. Chiesa is good, but the real problem is that the needs of individual players have been put first. And when that starts to happen, that’s when the first misunderstandings begin and routinely you start to be hostage to their mothers. No more prima donnas, with all due respect not even great champions like Zidane and Del Piero had wrong attitudes towards the club. Everyone rowed in the same direction, that was our secret to winning. I agree with the work of Juve and Thiago Motta, in particular the new coach is already understanding the environment and the fact that he is about to play a big chance.”
A clear reference to Rabiot, in your last answer. Am I wrong?
“For me the club, as I said at the beginning of the interview, behaved very well. Juve waited for him for many years, always punctually paid his salary and he failed to perform consistently for what he had to. It was right to let him go elsewhere, then for this I also say to be happy with the work of the club that should be like this everywhere.”
On the field: Inter still favorite?
“Yes, they are the Italian champions and the strongest team that plays better. The group has been together for many years now, it’s logical that they are the ones to beat. I see Napoli doing well, operating decisively in the market, we must not then forget the value of Conte and how he coaches to win championships. There is Milan to evaluate, still work in progress, for which I have not well understood the type of project. I have some doubts, for example they were looking for one type of striker and then they took another. I like Morata like crazy, I consider him a great center forward and I would have wanted him back at Juve. He is an exemplary professional, a locker room man, I congratulate the Rossoneri for the purchase.”
And Juve?
“I always hope they win, they have a clear project like other teams. And going back to Milan, I don’t see this yet. I’m happy De Rossi stayed at Roma, because he deserves all the praise given, while I’m sorry for Igor (Tudor ed.) as the club should have safeguarded him more. If I had been them, honestly, I would have done everything to keep him. He will have an excellent career.”
Going back for a moment to Antonio Conte, what reception will he have in Turin on the occasion of the match with Juve?
“They will not be indifferent towards a great professional who has given so much to this shirt. I laugh at those coaches who say they don’t go here or there and then they go running when they call. No one expected him to leave in that way many years ago, but he had built the right base to continue winning. There will be those who love him unconditionally and those who might whistle him as still hurt, but let’s think about our Juve which is the most important thing.”
Is it worth investing such a high figure for Koopmeiners? Given that important money will already come out for Todibo.
“They are two different roles, beyond the fact that we shouldn’t let ourselves be taken too much by the neck. Juve will have to show strength, for me it will be right not to overpay a player who comes from Atalanta. And I’ll explain why: there it’s a perfect machine, Gasperini gets great results with players who perform at their best under his management. With him they all become phenomenons, but only two or three have managed to confirm themselves at high levels. The management is aware of the fact that the big problems were in midfield, so they are doing everything to improve. I would take Ederson, for me that’s the only one who is a top in every club, on the rest I’m very skeptical.”
