Juventus' season continues to spiral as a lacklustre performance in Rome ended in a devastating 1-0 loss to Lazio. A stoppage-time goal by Adam Marusic secured the win for the home side, extending Juventus' dismal run of just a single victory in their last nine Serie A outings.
Massimiliano Allegri's attempts to revitalise his team with a tactical switch to a 4-3-3 formation proved fruitless. Juventus sputtered in attack, mustering a paltry 0.58 xG in comparison to Lazio's 1.08 xG. The result leaves them clinging precariously to third place in the league table.
The post-match analysis was scathing, with former Juve striker Fabrizio Ravanelli declaring the team plays with "fear and no ideas." The players, he observed, appeared “scared and resigned.” Ravanelli questioned Allegri's tactical decisions, suggesting they further hampered an already struggling side.
“Juventus is playing with no personality," Ravanelli lamented. "They are not a team at the moment…many individuals, but not playing together."
The loss ramps up the pressure on Juventus as they risk slipping out of the Champions League qualification places entirely. Their lack of form puts them squarely in the sights of ambitious teams like Bologna and Roma.
Pundits called Allegri to task, demanding solutions to the side's woes. Daniele Adani went so far as to accuse certain players of a lack of commitment. "It seems like some of the players are not giving their all," they noted, "they need to show more desire and fight for the shirt."
Allegri has his work cut out for him. Juventus' remaining fixtures include daunting clashes against Fiorentina, Milan, and Roma, leaving fans and experts divided on where the team will ultimately finish. A recent fan poll paints a bleak picture, with few holding out hope for a top-two spot.
The pressure is on the Old Lady. Failure to qualify for the Champions League would be a monumental blow to the club's finances and reputation. Juventus must rediscover their winning spirit in these final eight matches or face a potentially disastrous end to their campaign.