Former Juventus and Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic believes Inter are still the favourites for the Serie A title this season. The Bosnian international spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the title race between the Bianconeri and Nerazzurri, highlighting Inter’s strength in depth as a potential difference maker, but ‘Juventus never dies’:
You must have also seen Frosinone-Juventus…
“Of course, Juventus continue to have solidity and consistency in the way they approach matches, getting points. It is no coincidence that it is the only team that is holding its own against Inter’.
Do you already see a two-way race even though we are not even halfway through the championship?
‘Yes, Inter are keeping such a high tempo that I don’t think the others can still compete for the Scudetto. I see a duel between Inter and Juventus because they are the only two teams that are not leaving points on the road. The others on the other hand have more uncertainties, Napoli are not doing as well as they did last season, the same goes for Milan, who I like a lot but they have many ups and downs.”
Allegri claims that Inter are favourites because they were built to win the Scudetto, Marotta and Inzaghi reply that Juventus are favourites because they do not have the cup competitions to compete in: where is the truth?
“Inter are the favourites because they have a better equipped squad and more certainties than Juventus, also due to the Champions League final played last year, but Juventus should be considered a very creditable contender for the Scudetto, also because not playing in Europe can actually be a considerable advantage. Juventus has started on a new path to a bright future. When you wear the black and white jersey you must always aim to win, I know this from experience, but objectively Inter in the last two or three years have built a top group. It was also in the last two seasons and yet it failed to win, now they have even more experience and quality. But watch out because Juventus never dies…’.
The Juventus team is almost the same as last season but the results are very different: why is that?
“Juve now has more serenity after everything that happened in recent seasons. The foundations are being laid to rebuild a winning cycle. Winning is never easy, we made it look trivial but in reality it is always something special. Now I see a real team on the pitch.
Allegri, however, continues to say that the objective is fourth place and he doesn’t want to talk about the Scudetto. You know him well, is he doing it to ease the pressure on the team or does he really believe it?
“He says this because he is aware that Inter have more certainties, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t believe it and that he won’t give battle until the end. Max is a winner, he has proven it with facts, and I can assure you that when he doesn’t win he is not happy. In addition, he is a great communicator, he knows very well what the goals are at the beginning of the season and he transmits them to the group’.
What is it about Allegri that makes him so special in your eyes?
“Not only in mine but for 90% of those who have had him it is like this: he creates a good harmony with the group and manages it very well, he knows what he wants, he approaches matches in the right way and never complains about absences. He is a great motivator and knows how to get the best out of every player. Then of course Juve won’t play like Guardiola’s City, but it’s not just up to him. Max adapts to the characteristics of the men he has and leaves a lot of freedom. I played in a team where there was me, Dybala, Higuain, Mandzukic and Cuadrado on the pitch all together: don’t tell me we weren’t attacking… Max gives the stars freedom, allowing them to make a difference. We had quality and organisation, now there’s less of the former and the coach relies more on the latter. We lack those who know how to play one-on-one and aim at the man.”
Speaking of attack: Vlahovic found the goal again in Frosinone, did the bench do him good?
“The season is long, at Juventus everyone plays their 20-30 games a year. Vlahovic scored a nice goal and he must continue in this way, in big teams no one has a guaranteed place, you must always feel under pressure. He responded in the right way, that header wasn’t easy because the cross was a bit soft, but Dusan managed to give it power anyway”.
On Saturday there will be Juve v Roma, his match: what do you expect?
“I remember that when I was in Rome it was always hard to go and play at the Stadium. Roma come from a great victory over Napoli, they had important absences but Mourinho still managed to find a balance. Mou is a great coach but even he knows it won’t be easy because Juve are in a good moment. I expect a tactical match with few goals”.
Vlahovic-Chiesa on one side and Dybala-Lukaku on the other: which of the two attacking pairs is stronger?
“Eh, difficult to choose. There is talent on both sides, but the Roma pair has more experience. Perhaps as numbers Lukaku-Dybala are doing better, but the team is too dependent on them: when they are missing you can feel it. In Juventus this does not happen, even if Chiesa’s absence would be heavy: when Fede is well no coach gives up on him, he has an explosiveness that puts everyone in trouble and can make the difference.
In midfield, is the Bianconeri’s roster a bit short?
“Certainly without Pogba and Fagioli something is missing. I believe that a reinforcement from the January market will arrive, even if there are young players in the middle who need to grow.
Does Locatelli as a regista convince you?
“I like him even if he has different characteristics to mine, I was an eight who then moved further back, so the balls forward come much easier to me. I love playmakers who manage the pace, make assists and make others play well. There, I would like to see a bit more head in midfield, a director must be like an architect. Loca, however, is young and has all the trust of the coach, I’m sure he will grow.
Bonucci at the Giallorossi?
“I wish Leo all the best, at Roma he would fit in well and if he arrives his experience could be important.”
