Juve in Turmoil After Heavy Defeat to Fiorentina
Published 17/03/2025 at 07:19 GMT+1 – Serie A – Juventus finds itself in utter disarray: without significant changes, they could well slip from Champions League contention. Meanwhile, Fiorentina has been revitalised under Palladino's stewardship, with Fagioli shining brightly. It's a grim state of affairs for the Bianconeri, who are witnessing the value of their players dwindle remarkably.
Palladino's approach has raised questions about the future of coach Thiago Motta, as the club’s sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, has placed his faith in him once again, dismissing any immediate sacking notions. Motta, for his part, has firmly rebuffed calls for resignation. Despite a string of humiliating defeats, Juventus opts for continuity, keeping the same technical staff. The question looms: Will long-term projects yield progress? Given the recent decline, a stubbornness to hold on to this approach might prove detrimental.
On the flip side, the atmosphere in Florence is buoyant once more. Following their impressive comeback to secure a place in the Conference League, the Viola delivered a stunning 3-0 victory over Juventus. It’s been since 1998 that they’ve triumphed by such a margin against the Piedmontese at the Stadio Franchi. Goals from Gosens, Mandragora, and Gudmundsson confirmed the deserved win, placing Fiorentina just five points shy of the coveted fourth position.
Palladino's tactical adjustments, favouring a 3-5-1-1 system, have revitalised the squad, allowing for Italian midfielders to shine, with Dodò and Gosens thriving in their new roles, while Gudmundsson looms fluidly behind Kean. It’s a commendable turnaround.
Amongst those flourishing is Nicolò Fagioli, who was instrumental with two assists in the match. While Kean may not have found the back of the net, he continues to spearhead their attacks. Gosens seems to have recaptured his Atalanta form, as Mandragora and Cataldi shine in midfield, demonstrating a collective resurrection led by Palladino.
Conversely, Juventus finds itself mired in a list of underperforming signings. Kolo Muani, once a bright spark, has faded after a promising start. The hefty investments in Koopmeiners and Nico Gonzalez have not paid off, as both have continued to deliver poor performances littered with errors. The defensive trio of Kalulu, Kelly, and Veiga has looked utterly abysmal, leading to a general decline that could prove costly for Juventus.
As Thiago Motta remarked, "Criticism? I’ve been in football for 25 years; I respect everyone's opinions." The coming matches may reveal the true ramifications of these decisions.
Resource: More on Eurosport
