Old Juve’s Juventus predictions for 2021/22
We’re just a few days away from Juventus taking the field for their first Serie A game of the 2021/22 season.
It had been a mixed pre-season for Massimiliano Allegri’s side before they hosted potential Scudetto rivals, Atalanta, in their final competitive friendly before Sunday’s trip to Udinese. However, the 3-1 triumph over La Dea would’ve reassured many that the Bianconeri mean business this season. They’re coming for the crown that Antonio Conte snatched from their tyrannical grasp last season.
The Scudetto is their divine right.
It promises to be an exciting campaign for Juventini and here at Old Juve, we tried our hand at predicting how Juventus will fare in 2021/22. Here’s what we think.
James’ predictions
Final league position in Serie A: 2nd
Inter’s financial turmoil has seen them fly under many people’s radars in the context of the upcoming Scudetto race. Not mine, however. I think they edge a close title race with Allegri’s Juventus. The Bianconeri will be improved on last season, but I worry about their depth at centre-back. However, should Matthijs de Ligt stay fit and Giorgio Chiellini continue to age like Tom Brady (not aesthetically, admittedly), Juve will have a great shot at claiming the title. Their midfield shouldn’t be a problem with Manuel Locatelli added to the mix, while their front line could be magical. Allegri’s pragmatism alone is good enough for a few extra points in the ‘big’ games as well.
Prediction for Coppa Italia: Winners
This is a competition Allegri has won four times and it’s a crown Juve will be defending this season following their 2-1 triumph over Atalanta in last season’s final. The draw will likely see Juve take on Sassuolo and one of Atalanta or Napoli on their way to the Coppa Italia showpiece this time around, where one of AC Milan, Lazio, Inter or Roma will surely await. While it’s tough to predict the outcome of a cup, there’s just no way the Bianconeri will end this season without a piece of silverware.
Champions League finish: Quarter-final
By bringing Allegri back to the helm and adding Locatelli to their ranks, some may say Juve are on their way to returning to a level akin to the peak Bianconeri of the 2010s. However, there’s still some way to go on that front and, putting it candidly, they’re still a significant distance behind the current superpowers of the European game. The four Premier League clubs, along with Julian Nagelsmann’s Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain will be favoured over Juve in this competition. Thus, a quarter-final exit seems a rational and respectable projection.
Top Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
I was critical of Cristiano Ronaldo last season, but I couldn’t question his output. It’s freakish. Last season’s Capocannoniere is likely to remain in Turin for 2021/22 and he’ll be, more so his ego, desperate to retain his crown. While Paulo Dybala will be looking to share the load when it comes to free-kicks, Ronaldo will remain Juve’s penalty taker – a task that automatically grants him a load of goals, especially in the age of VAR. Overall, it’s hard to envisage anyone else topping Juventus’ goalscoring charts in 2021/22.
MVP: Paulo Dybala
It was so difficult not to pick Federico Chiesa here, but the stars are aligning for Dybala to enjoy a major resurgence in 2021/22. His projected importance to Allegri has been well-documented, and the Argentine will be a fixture in the returning boss’ XI should he remain healthy – that’s a big if, mind, considering his injury woes last term and in pre-season. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be surprised if La Joya hits 30 Serie A goal contributions this term. Also, expect to see him deployed as both a false nine (4-3-3) and number ten (4-2-3-1) by Allegri.
Player to Watch: Rodrigo Bentancur
I’ve got a great feeling about Rodrigo Bentancur in what’s a make or break campaign following a dismal 2020/21 as Andrea Pirlo’s regista. The Uruguayan will return to a box-to-box role under Allegri, whether alongside a metronome (Locatelli/Arthur Melo) in a double pivot or as part of a midfield three, which should see him return to his very best. He enjoyed a fine Copa America with Uruguay and has looked determined in pre-season. Expect the 24-year-old to establish himself as a key figure for Juventus once more.