Juventus legend Marco Tardelli believes coach Max Allegri is in need of a sporting director while Dusan Vlahovic is struggling ‘psychologically’. The World Cup winner and former Bianconeri midfielder spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the troubles facing the Old Lady at present, focusing on Dusan Vlahovics’ poor run of form, the mental and physical problems Juventus have faced, and the need for an experienced sporting director alongside Max Allegri.
“The Bologna game? At most it’s a step forward, but a tiny little one, after the bad game in the Cup against Inter. But if you are Juve, in Bologna you have to win, without taking anything away from the Rossoblù, who are well coached and fit.”
If nothing else, the Bianconeri created more than usual….
“True, but they also conceded a lot. Too much. This Juve seems fragile to me defensively. And I don’t think it’s a question of form, rather a problem of mental solidity.”
Is there a lack of a leader back there?
“Chiellini’s farewell was difficult, not only as the defender as he always was, but also and especially as a charismatic presence in the locker room.
In an anomalous season, we have seen so many youngsters blossom: from Miretti to Fagioli, via Iling, Soulé and Barrenechea. Compensation in some ways?.
“On the other hand, there has been a lack of stars, it is undeniable. The reasons are many, starting with injuries. Pogba has never been there and the others, from Chiesa to Di Maria and Vlahovic, only in short bursts.”
In short, Allegri absolved?
“When things don’t go right, the players are always to blame as well. Specifically, I don’t see them as very solid and as a result they make trivial mistakes, which you wouldn’t expect from level-headed professionals such as they are. Because, beyond the coach, a Juve player has to know what to do or not to do.”
Vlahovic, however, often seems bewildered….
“Here, I believe that Dusan is precisely struggling psychologically. And then he has been suffering from pubalgia, which is a serious and annoying thing. His physical presence, compared to his Fiorentina days, has significantly decreased.”
In Bologna Milik scored well….
“He did well, despite the missed penalty. But I hope the Pole will be Vlahovic’s replacement and not vice versa, even in the future.”
Highs and lows for Di Maria as well.
“For the Argentine I think it affects the particular season, with the World Cup in between. In addition to the injuries….”
So many problems, but Juve third and in the Europa League semifinals: the end of the season can still give satisfaction.
“On the Champions League race, obviously reigns the uncertainty of off-field situations. In the Europa League, however, Juve has the strongest squad of the four remaining, but Sevilla is tough. And let’s not forget Mou’s Roma.”
Back to Allegri, do you, like Adani, think there is a need for a figure in the club to work alongside Max?
“Yes, and I said it right on “90° minute” with Lele. The club asked Allegri to be the only reference from a technical point of view in the managerial vacuum created after the resignation of the previous top management, but in the summer we need a man on the ‘pitch’, a sports director who is present in the locker room.”
Giuntoli is mentioned.
“A good one. At Napoli he created a masterpiece, even making ends meet and without the budget of the big names of Europe. But are we sure he wants to leave the little gem he created?”
Fans also dream of a Del Piero at the club. A bit like Boniperti, Bettega or Nedved….
“It would help to have a Bandiera, of course. But the need today, and I repeat, is a competent and experienced S.D”
