Juventus: 3 possible outcomes after the Bianconeri’s UCL qualification
One week back, Juventus fans would have been cursing themselves and their team, possibly saying that the Bianconeri might have started to click at the wrong time — perhaps things might have gone beyond their grasp. And it had gone beyond their grasp despite Juve winning the Derby d’Italia last week and being triumphant against Sassuolo the week before. Juve’s fate was not in their hands despite their victory against Bologna this week.
Andrea Pirlo’s men were out of the title race months ago and were on the brink of missing out on the Champions League spot. On the last day of the domestic campaign, Juventus, in order to capture next season’s Champions League football, needed a favour from an opponent they would love to beat in a one-v-one competition.
AC Milan denied them the opportunity, with the Rossoneri securing their top-four place by convincingly beating Atalanta. All eyes were on Napoli, who had hosted Hellas Verona and were thought to be favourites going into the game.
But, football, as the saying goes, is a funny game. Napoli surrendered their 1-0 lead to Verona, drawing their match 1-1. On the other hand, Juventus players, who had been keeping their firm eyes on the pitch-side television screen after thrashing Bologna 4-1, were now on the pitch, celebrating an apparent redemption with their peers. It was as if they had won the Scudetto for the consecutive 10th time. Now, let’s not go there and mar our pleasure.
It is the time for worshipping each and every ounce of joy generated from Juventus’ qualification for next season’s Champions League and to look forward to what it does mean for the future of the club.
Potentially more transfer leeway
We have seen before how desperate Juve president Andrea Agnelli was to join the failed European Super League. As explained in more detail here, the only motive behind Juventus showing such immense interest was acquiring more money. After becoming a part of the elitist group, he wanted to bag more cash, believed to be around a whopping $400 million per season.
Juventus reportedly suffered a financial loss of €39.9 million in 2019 and around €71.4 million in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Playing in a league that violates moral bars seemed wrong, but Juve were so hopeless and their financial situation was so drained that they couldn’t anymore care about hurting the reputation of their club in Italy and worldwide.
Juventus are still losing money daily, in millions and millions. But had they missed out on the chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League football, it would have been financially damaging for the Piedmontese club. UEFA Champions League brings fame and additional liquidity, believed to be around €90 million, to the club.
Furthermore, a Champions League spot always helps a club attract its transfer targets. Every player feels privileged at the prospect of playing in the coveted competition. Ahead of another summer transfer window, Juventus have reportedly eyed their priorities and chief target.
Without the Champions League, it would have been hard for the Bianconeri to sign them up. We are not saying that, in the current circumstances, they would sign them all up. But the possibilities have increased, as should be the transfer fund that will be allotted for the new signings in the upcoming summer transfer window.