Juventus must put European disappointment behind them

As Sergio Oliveira optimistically retreated a fair distance from a free-kick 25 yards out from Wojciech Tomasz Szczęsny’s goal, Andrea Pirlo was surely starting to conjure up a list of five penalty takers to make sure of Juventus‘ progression to the Champions League last eight.

But a combination of Oliveira’s right boot, Cristiano Ronaldo’s turned back and Szczęsny’s tame wrists meant that Pirlo never even had the chance to ask his players “who fancies one, then?” – or whatever it is in Italian.

Oliveira’s unthinkable strike for a ten-man Porto ruled penalties out of the equation and although Adrien Rabiot would swiftly respond for the Bianconeri merely seconds later with a fine header, Porto’s pair of away goals in Turin meant they would progress into the quarter-finals.

The result was a humiliation for Juve. For the players, Pirlo, Pavel Nedved, Andrea Agnelli, and anyone associated with the Old Lady. A humiliation.

But they go again on Sunday.

A defining moment

Oliveira’s free-kick proved the defining sequence in Juve’s European demise and it may well prove to be the watershed moment in their domestic campaign too. The disappointment a youthful Bianconeri endured in the week is likely to trigger one of two things: a ruthless revitalisation or complete capitulation.

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With the way that Serie A’s shaping up right now, Pirlo’s men can ill-afford to succumb to the latter. As we head into matchday 27 (26 for Juve), the Bianconeri sit precariously in third after a patchy run of form following their 2-0 victory over Roma on 6 February. Defeat in Naples and a 1-1 draw at Verona has cut them further adrift of Antonio Conte’s table-topping Inter Milan, with the gap between the pair opening up to ten points.

Nevertheless, the Nerazzurri will be a mightily tough proposition to halt. We all know what happens when a Conte-led side builds up a head of steam, right? Titles. That’s what. It occurred right here in Turin and over in west London at Chelsea. Their grinta-laden 1-0 victory over Atalanta last Monday certainly had the cliché ‘sign of champions’ feel to it.

Inter are the best team in Italy, no doubt, and while I’ve heard the expression “you can never rule Juve out” about 1,198 times over the past month, it’s safe to say that, in fact, you can rule this Juve side out. They’re just not that great. But hey, it’s a period of transition so don’t feel so bad, Juventini. You’ve had your fair share of success over the past decade. The dissolvement of Juve’s monopoly over Serie A is good news for Calcio – competitiveness and all that.

Battle for top four

For me, Juve are in a serious battle for the top four. With Inter assumed the Scudetto victors, you could argue that six sides are still chasing three Champions League spots: AC Milan, Juve, Atalanta, Roma, Napoli, and Lazio.

Ten points separate second-place Milan and Lazio in sixth, with a mere two points the difference between Champions and Europa League for Juve at the moment. It’s also worth noting that the Bianconeri’s game in-hand comes against Napoli in April, so we shouldn’t assume Juve will be three points better off when they eventually find themselves level on games played with their rivals.

And while they’ve been able to claim huge victories over Roma and Lazio this month, Juve still visit Atalanta and host both the Milan clubs by the time the season’s out. Those will, obviously, be defining bouts.

Banana skin

Despite their distinct flaws, you expect Juve to be fine in regards to securing a Champions League spot for 2021/22. Unless, of course, a total derailment emerges following their continental embarrassment – which won’t be great for the All or Nothing documentary. Well, unless you’re not a Juve fan.

Thus, Sunday’s clash with Cagliari is huge in determining how the rest of the campaign plays out for Pirlo. While the Sardinians currently sit 17th in the table, the arrival of Leonardo Simplici following Eusebio Di Francesco’s dismissal has massively bolstered their chances of survival.

They’re unbeaten in three under Simplici and head into their clash with the Old Lady off the back of Radja Nainggolan’s last gasp equaliser at Sampdoria last Sunday.

There’s a distinct belief within Simplici’s Isolani. One that’s certainly not devoid of talent and they’ll be confident of exposing a vulnerable Bianconeri at the Sardegna.

This is a big one for Andrea Pirlo.