When the Serie A scandal hit*, and Juventus relegated, it presented a conundrum for the players and fans. In a time when player's loyalties are always questioned, it becomes important to see who stayed. Players like Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro DelPiero
(click here to see the whole roster from the Serie B season) forever endeared themselves to fans of the Bianconeri by staying with the team and fighting their way back to the top flight.
Fans had to have realistic expectations (I didn't) when they returned and realize it may be some time before Juve challenged for a league title. It seems that the wait is over. After five up and down seasons, there is finally reason for hope. Juventus sits atop the table over halfway through the season.
The team has been far from dominant (only twelve wins in twenty-one matches), but in the style of a true Italian side, they have been hard to beat. Their defense has been stingy, to say the least, so far conceding only 13 goals. The offense has not always been free flowing, but they have been opportunistic and hard working. It has led to optimism from the Juve faithful.
Optimism, in turn, has led to nerves. Once again, I am anxious when watching them play. Again, the team has something significant to play for. I will watch the end of the Serie A campaign with a great sense of fear; fear that they will not hold off the hard charging AC Milan, fear that there will be a monumental collapse and they will drop out of the Champions League.
This fear is what makes being a fan a wonderful experience. On the occasions that a team, your team, does what you hope it can do, it is a feeling that is hard to beat!
Forza Juve!
*As i wrote this article, the Calciopoli hit the news again.
I just can't get into Italian soccer on a regular basis. I blame the guy on FOXSOCCER.
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ReplyDeletetotally pumped for Juve this season. I get tired of the anglocentric soccer attitude in the U.S. I have enjoyed serie a since MSG used to show highlights in the late 90's. Seeing Juve on top again has definitely spurred my interest this year. It was tough watching the last few years and my sundays were usually filled with frustration watching mediocre performance after mediocre performance. Seeing Conte, an ex-player, take the helm and turn things around has been satisfying. I feel confident that next year we will see them back in the champions league and helping to restore the serie a reputation across europe (italy barnstorming the Euros this summer will help too). The EPL boosters at FOX will still show games like Chelsea v. Metalist instead of Juve v Madrid, but pirated web broadcasts will keep me engaged.
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