Former Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero provided a critical analysis of the Bianconeri’s defeat against Benfica in the final Champions League group stage match.
On Vlahovic’s Performance:
“I believe the match with Benfica is an opportunity like many others. If we look at the complete picture, Juve has much more with him. Today, with substitutions, you have the possibility of choosing between players with different characteristics. This internal competitiveness helps, must help.
“In the first part of the season, he was called to make a great physical effort. Today he plays fewer matches but can do so at the top of his physical and mental condition. Whether he is or not, I don’t know – it’s up to him to demonstrate it, rediscover his desire and give answers on the field.”
On Team Performance:
“After a sparkling start, Benfica took over and found the goal. From there, Juventus tried to pressure the opposing team, which closed down even more. The Bianconeri didn’t create great opportunities, and only a masterpiece by Perin saved them from 0-2.”
Psychological Analysis:
“There were many moments of struggle, especially from a psychological point of view, with the crowd rumbling both at half-time and at the final whistle. There’s not an optimal climate. The team seemed disorganized and distracted because something is missing.
“They must be helped not only by the coach but also by the club. There must be compactness, unity, and above all, try to design a way out.”
On Tactical Approach:
“Juventus was certainly oriented towards attack with four up front plus Luiz. But it only lasted 10 minutes because they struggled more than others. A more solid midfield would have improved the initial situation.
“If you change too much, you give less certainty to everyone. On the other hand, you keep everyone on their toes and they think they can play every Sunday, which is also a good thing.”
Strategic Reflection:
“We need to understand today what has priority – having everyone at the same level or identifying with a team’s backbone. I believe this is the most important thing.”
On Future Prospects:
“We hope Juventus and Milan don’t cross paths in the playoffs and that both recover. The Bianconeri’s defeat hurts a bit more compared to the Rossoneri’s.
“You need to know how to clean up today, which leaves its mark, and start again. We’ll see how they do it. An approachable match with Empoli awaits them at home.”
