Finally we reach the start of a new season. Beginning second phase Max with a trip to face Udinese this Sunday.
It has been a tumultuous time for the club, having been forced to make seismic changes with Paratici chopped alongside Pirlo, and Allegri returning to (hopefully) swiftly right the listing ship we had become last season, and pretty much since the coach left the club, perhaps even before. On top of this we have seen Maurizio Arrivabene join the ranks, to oversee far more than the much needed financial restructure, as we saw with his direct involvement with the Locatelli transfer.
Not much has changed in regards to the squad. With only the Sassuolo midfielder proving a major acquisition as the club have struggled to move on players from the inflated wage bill. And yet somehow, it feels like a new squad to me. With the malaise long set in, seemingly vanquished, a new start, new opportunity for many players to find stronger synergy with the system, the coach, and the field all possible under Max. Not assured, but possible.
Udinese seem weakened with star player De Paul moving on to Spain. And a side which gives us the opportunity to make a statement of intent early doors.
Probably too early to find Locatelli involved, as he has barely trained with the squad, so we can loosely expect to find>>>
No major injury concerns, with most the roster available other than Arthur and Rabiot still out mangled with Mckennie serving a suspension.
It will be exciting to see mainly how the front line can gel, dovetail in their movement with Ramsey’s newfound role as makeshift regista also of interest. For the Welshman certainly has the technique, though probably not much defensive zeal and yet if he can find his passing range swiftly, there will be plenty of creativity through the middle and with balls played long.
No firm idea what to expect, but I am certainly entertaining expectation that Max can quickly revive the side to play as a team, with a system that works and closes the chapter of last season which was one of the worst I can recall for many moons. As the coaching was appalling, the relationship between the coaches appalling, more than less players performing well below their usual levels, disjointed defensive displays, rarely any games where we looked solid from start to finish. All of which was gruelling to endure. Yet that time has passed.
I firmly believe that Max will give us back a side to inspire pride, love and enthusiasm. It may, probably will, begin clunky. As a lot has gone wrong since he left. But Max is a seasoned pro. One of the best in the business and he will know what needs to be done on the training field, in and around the club and slowly but surely, he will return us to the right path…
This is not a rerun, its the dawn of a new era.
Forza Juve
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