Why Juventus Should Be Concerned by Challenge of Both Milan Clubs in 2015/16

The past four seasons have each seen Juventus march to the Serie A title, beginning with their undefeated 2011/12 campaign and culminating in a league and cup double last term. Indeed, as the Bianconeri punctuated their most recent success with a runners-up spot in the Champions League, Milanese football plunged to new lows.

Finishing 10th and eighth, respectively, the struggles endured by both Milan and Inter have been as complete as they have been surprising. To see a team that won an unprecedented treble just five years ago crumble the way the latter has is incredible, while their Rossoneri cousins have fared little better.

Milan were the last team other than Juventus to lift the Scudetto, and they followed up their 2011 success by finishing just four points behind the Old Lady 12 months later. Since then, however, the Diavolo have fired Massimiliano Allegri, Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi, each struggling more than his predecessor as mediocrity swept the San Siro.

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Inter’s coaching situation has somehow been even more difficult, with a laundry list of coaches being released at an alarming rate. After Jose Mourinho’s 2010 exit, Rafael Benítez, Leonardo, Gian Piero Gasperini, Claudio Ranieri, Andrea Stramaccioni and Walter Mazzarri have all tried their hand, each failing summarily.

The Nerazzurri have finished no higher than fifth during Juve’s latest dominant spell, but both clubs appear to have made wide-ranging changes this summer in a bid to end the malaise that previously hindered them.

Milan appointed Sinisa Mihajlovic at the start of the summer, and quickly set about supporting him in the transfer market. The Rossoneri had been impressed by the Serbian’s work at Sampdoria, guiding the Genovese club to seventh place and a Europa League berth, while recording fine results against Serie A’s biggest sides.

Alessio Romagnoli—the cornerstone of Sampdoria’s defence last term—arrived at a cost of €25 million, with fellow AS Roma youth product Andrea Bertolacci joining for a €20 million fee to reinforce the midfield.

Sevilla’s impressive striker Carlos Bacca would also sign for the club, with Luiz Adriano and, of course, Mario Balotelli following suit. There are still holes in the squad, but there is finally genuine hope that Silvio Berlusconi’s beloved team can turn their fortunes around and mount a credible challenge.

Across town, Roberto Mancini has undoubtedly received even greater backing, getting almost every wish granted as Inter overhauled their squad completely following his return last November. A €40 million bid saw them beat Milan to the capture of AS Monaco’s impressive midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, but the French international was merely the beginning of a superb transfer campaign.

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Retaining goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, Inter will now boast the likes of Jeison Murillo and Miranda in defence, with Felipe Melo arriving to protect them. The attack has seen Adem Ljajic join the club after being AS Roma’s leading scorer last term, and Stevan Jovetic’s move from Manchester City was another superb deal.

The Montenegrin striker has netted match-winning goals in his first two games for the Nerazzurri, and they now sit third in the Serie A table with a maximum six points. Their neighbours are just three points behind, while Juventus find themselves toward the bottom and have yet to win a single point this season.

It is a stark new reality for the Bianconeri, one they must quickly look to address during the current international break. Milan and Inter lock horns in the latest instalment of their historic derby next week, and that game is suddenly a meeting of two teams who finally believe they can knock the Old Lady off her lofty throne.