Juventus Back on Equal Terms

The 2008 season kicks off on a more equal term after Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri and his men spent the last year in the Italian top flight after their one-year stint in Serie B.

The aim for the Turin outfit will be the much desirable Scudetto and European glory after beating Artmedia with 5-1 on aggregate in the third qualifying round to ensure qualification in the Champions League.

With half the starting lineup and double the heart, Ranieri succeeded in making the players work as a unit with an insatiable desire to win. Last season’s highlight was undoubtedly the win over archrivals Inter at the San Siro where a collected Juventus calculated out the reigning champions.

Last season Juventus housed both of Serie A’s top scorers—Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet—and has been successful in holding onto both players in spite of new arrivals fighting for the same positions. Il Capitano showed that he is a force to be reckoned with by snatching the Capocannoniere crown.

Before the summer’s Euro Championship, the Turin club won the fight over Brazilian forward Amauri who took the step over from Palermo to join Juventus.

Apart from Amauri in the attack, Juventus has also strengthened its defense with former Aston Villa center back Olof Mellberg along with Paolo De Ceglie, who was impressive during a year on loan at Siena.

As for who is in goal, who better to guard the posts than Gianluigi Buffon?

Veteran Pavel Nedved has decided to stay on in Turin for another season—most likely the Czech’s last. Always productive Italian international Mauro Camoranesi returns and will again feature on the right side of the midfield. Momo Sissoko returns after impressing following his signing from Liverpool in January.

Juve also have a group of talented youngsters this season which is led by Sebastian Giovinco, who is back as an option for Ranieri disposal after his successful loan stint in Empoli.

Joining Giovinco will be fellow midfielder Claudio Marchisio, also from Empoli. Talented 19-year-old Albin Ekdal was signed from Swedish outfit Brommapojkarna and Christian Poulsen was signed from Sevilla to add some extra muscle to the midfield.

Although some arguments can be made against Juventus’ recent activities in the transfer market—where big money has been spent on a handful of good players instead of a great player—Juventus has still managed a healthy mix of old and new bringing with it a promising combination of creativity and experience to continue on the new era.