Alessandro Del Piero says Juventus are about to go through a “moment of truth” when they play Napoli, Olympiacos and Inter over the course of two weeks.

The Bianconeri are in 3rd place in the league and face the teams first placed Napoli and second placed Inter in a 14-day period, before facing Olympiacos in a crunch match for qualification in the Champions League. Club legend Del Piero weighed in on Juve’s season so far and what Juve need to improve on going forward.

 

On the Champions League

“Draw with Barca a setback? Yes, but it was a calculated setback on Wednesday,” Ale’ told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’ve heard that drawing or losing was the same, but it’s not true: now Sporting have to win and Juve don’t.

“The point was crucial for morale and their place in the group, even though Barcelona have dominated it for a long time.

“End of an era? That unconscious feeling of satisfaction is a nightmare for any Coach and players after so many successes.

“Ruthlessness and competitiveness come out easier when you lose, but I’ve always seen great commitment from Juve.

 

On the lack of goals for Juventus of late

“Only five goals in five games? It’s one of issues that Allegri’s facing. This Juve are built to score a goal more than their opponents, not concede one less.

“Maybe time is all that’s needed for the new players to make their mark.

“Sometimes you go through a funnel then find a great big road. It’s not the first time Juve have limped in the autumn, but they have to be in form in the spring. That’s why I still expect Juve to be the leading lights in Italy and Europe.

 

On the weeks ahead for Juventus

“Napoli, Olympiakos and Inter in one week their moment of truth? Yes. Juve need a jolt like that.

“They need those two or three games to give them the feeling of being back. Allegri’s been waiting for this moment.

“Dybala? He played very well against Barcelona and the only one who offered something different.

“He kept the ball, attracted fouls and almost scored towards the end. He’s raising the bar further and he’ll find the balance needed to get back to the levels that he started the season at.”

 

On missing out on the World Cup

“So much sadness. Gigi showed his greatness once more. One of my most important dreams happened at the 1982 World Cup. I was only eight years old.

“We still haven’t come to terms with our elimination, but that’s where our football is.”

 

On the aftereffects of Farsopoli

“It was like an atomic bomb: our football broke down. I’m not just talking about Juve. After that, the great champions went abroad and the other countries have grown exponentially:

“The Premier League has exploded thanks to its skill in managing its various brands around the world, as well as the shrewd distribution of its TV rights.

“Real and Barcelona have also moved forward with their respective corporate policies, Germany has completed the route it begun, when it was awarded the 2006 World Cup, and even big foreign investors have arrived in France to transform clubs like PSG and Monaco.

“Italy, on the other hand, collapsed, but Juve started coming back up and Napoli are on an important journey.”