We don't know where our first impressions come from or precisely what they mean, so we don't always appreciate their fragility.
Author Malcolm Gladwell
It’s feeling like the second chance but it’s the first impression.
Rapper Drake
When I started playing LA Noire I thought I had discovered my favorite non sport videogame since the original Guitar Hero. By the fifth day I found the game incredibly repetitive and I stopped playing shortly afterwards. The first quote by Malcolm Gladwell made me think of my initial impression of LA Noire; it also cautions me not to put too much stock into the first seven games by Conte’s Juventus. I can point to plenty of reasons for optimism and also some serious causes for concern but I also know we have barely played 15% of the Serie A schedule. Ferrara started off just as well as Conte had up until the Milan game and Del Neri had Juve in second place at the end of 2010; had either of these coaches sustained the success of their few games Conte would not be coaching Juventus.
The quote by Drake gives me a more optimistic perspective on our team. For the first time since Calciopoli Juventus has a legitimate chance at winning the scudetto; there is no clear front runner in Serie A, since Juve isn’t involved in any European competition the team can focus almost exclusively on league play and Marotta assembled a deep roster. While the last two draws have been fairly disappointing it is important to note Juve lost many games to lower table teams last season. Napoli, Inter and Roma have lost to Novara, Chievo, Cagliari and Parma so far this season and this appears to be a transition year for Milan.
While Conte may not have been Agnelli and Marotta’s first choice to coach the team they have gone out of their way to support him. They have shaped the roster according to his wishes by surprisingly shipping off Ziegler (this move has backfired so far) and bringing in 3 wing players during the final phase of the transfer period. The coach has so far rewarded the faith shown by upper management by improving the athletic preparation of the team, creating a more offensive mentality and getting good results. Even during the two disappointing draws against Bologna and Catania one could find plenty of reasons for optimism, as the team showed character and determination, two traits that were sorely lacking in the last 2 seasons. The next few matches will go along way in determining if our first impressions of Conte and Juve are closer to the Drake quote than Gladwell’s.
Reasons for Optimism
- The most obvious improvement on the pitch has been in the midfield. Marchisio and Pirlo have been a massive upgrade over Felipe Melo and Aquilani; they have ensured the defense is better protected while also providing quality chances for the strikers. Vidal has shown versatility, determination and a nose for goals. Pepe has played better than at any other point in his career.
- While our backline has yet to be tested against tough opponents they have showed some good improvement from last season. Buffon was bored for most of the games that he started, while Lichsteiner has not ventured forward as much as expected he has shown good defensive skills and has been a massive upgrade over Motta and Grygera. Barzagli has taken over one of the CB spots and has been the best player on the team with Pirlo. The few times he has made mistakes he has followed them up with a great play to avoid a goal.
- Juve has a very deep roster and numerous quality options upfront. 7 different players have scored Juve’s 11 Serie A goals. Conte has not been afraid of mixing things up as he works on assembling a team out of all his new pieces; he has used different formations, employed players at multiple positions and has started all of his wing players. Del Neri wanted the players to fit into his rigid 4 4 2 scheme, while Conte has taken the opposite approach. Prior to joining Juve our new coach typically did not use a player in the “architect” role instead he employed two defensive minded center midfielders, the offense came from the wing players. Conte radically changed his approach to ensure Pirlo would become the focal point of the team in the midfield.
Causes for Concern
- Left back remains a weak position for the team. De Ceglie was so overwhelmed defensively that Grosso had to be reinserted in the starting lineup. Since that move did not work out either Chiellini was moved back to his original role and Bonucci came off the bench. Marotta needs to address the defense in the January transfer period.
- Vucinic has shown some great flashes but he can also disappear from the action for entire halves, he also needs to keep his temper in check as his red card against Bologna prevented Juventus from winning an important game. Matri had lost his starting job but after the Genoa game he is once again looking like the new Pippo Inzaghi, Conte needs to keep him in the lineup so Vucinic is not isolated upfront.
- The way Andrea Agnelli handled the announcement of Del Piero’s last season could be a massive distraction for the team. After all Del Piero has done for the club over the years (especially going down to Serie B right after winning the World Cup) he should have been able to leave on his own terms. I cannot imagine Roma treating Totti this way or even Moratti showing so little class or respect to Zanetti.
Top 3 Players
- Barzagli- since arriving from Wolfsburg last January Barzagli has been Juventus’ best defender. He cost 36 times less than what Marotta paid Bari for Bonucci, there really is nothing to add to that statement.
- Pirlo- so far he has played every minute of Juventus first 7 games. He has brought his trademark quality passing to our midfield and has even shown a renowned passion for stopping the opposition with fairly physical tackles. I hope to never have to see the word “Vinovo” and “Pirlo” in the same sentence for the rest of the year.
- Marchisio- closely edges out Pepe after his great game against Milan. Marchisio is back playing in the middle of the pitch and has reminded everyone why he was compared to Tardelli when he first came up.
Flop 3 Players
- Krasic- my favorite moment of the season was when Krasic was about to come into a game and Conte was giving him instructions in Italian; his puzzled look was pretty much representative of his season so far. Krasic showed his usual flashes of brilliance in the second half of the game versus Catania, but he also has struggled to fit into Conte’s scheme. Krasic needs to prove he can fit into Juve’s future, his speed could make him a deadly weapon off the bench against tough opponents. If Milos struggles in November and December the team should sell him in January while he still has value.
- Chiellini- if Giorgio can show the same return to form shown by Marchisio so far this season Juve will truly be able to contend for the scudetto. The hole at LB has forced Conte to move Chiellini back to his original role, Prandelli has emulated our coach by also using Chiellini with the Azzurri on the left flank after Criscito got hurt. Chiellini had his best game of the season against Milan once he was moved away from the center of the defense, but he also struggled mightily against Genoa in the same role. His passing remains suspect (he reminds me of Melo in that regard) and the position switches are certainly not beneficial to his long term development. Marotta should purchase a world class LB in January which would allow Chiellini to return to the middle of the defense once and for all.
- Quagliarella- it is a testament to the good start of the team that Quags is my third biggest flop. I am placing him here more out of concern for his long term future at Juve than his actual performance (so far he has only played ten minutes against Catania). Juventus invested over 30 million to purchase Vucinic and Quagliarella, with that sum Marotta could have landed at the very least Giuseppe Rossi. Quagliarella could be sent to Fiorentina in exchange for either Cerci or Vargas or to Palermo for Ilicic.
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