A match so difficult to interpret that even Alessandro Del Piero’s opinion is divided. He, the figure who has always united the fragmented world of Juventus, has sparked mixed reactions this time. The reference is to the words of the former Juventus captain, spoken on Sky(via Ilbianconero) after the Juve-PSV match:
“We all expected Juve to do more. Even tonight, PSV had more ideas in certain aspects. Juve was good at staying in the game and being more clinical. Improving certain aspects is tough; efficiency can be improved, but developing a strong style of play over time is difficult. It was a tense match. There are positives in terms of desire and determination.”
As mentioned, a comment that divides opinion. However, Del Piero’s remarks cannot be limited to just the 90 minutes plus stoppage time against PSV. From a gameplay perspective, he is absolutely right.
The ball at the center, football as the only discussion. This was the communicative intention behind the summer revolution led by Cristiano Giuntoli and Thiago Motta.
Beyond communication, there was the work on the field, which initially showed results. This Juventus was radically different from the “old” Juventus, showing effective innovations in the build-up phase. Notice: “effective,” because aesthetics matter little.
What remains of that Juventus today? Not much. From an organizational standpoint, the team has taken a step back. What seemed to be promising early signs have proven to be fleeting and ephemeral. To quote Del Piero: by now, more was expected.
All of this is true, but we can’t ignore the mitigating factors. For large parts of the first half of the season, Thiago Motta worked with a depleted squad due to injuries. It’s no one’s fault yet everyone’s fault, but this made it impossible to implement the intended playing style. And it showed.
Is everything negative? No, not at all. One of the weakest Juventus performances this season still delivered smiles, sighs of relief, and, most importantly, victories.
For the first time, they secured three consecutive wins (against Empoli, Como, and PSV) despite three very different and not entirely convincing performances.
But the positives are undeniable. The latest Juventus has shown resilience and character. They take hits and respond, resolve matches in the final minutes, get angry and unite, then smile and celebrate together.
If the on-field performances fluctuate, the team spirit is moving in a single direction: the dressing room is united and working together.
Additionally, the contributions from substitutes must not be overlooked. A striking example is Vlahovic, who, despite being relegated to a bench role, fights for every ball without any bitterness or distraction.
The bench strength estimated by Tuttosport at around €200 million during the PSV match is a key factor. The squad is deep again, allowing for rotations and rest.
Let’s avoid oversimplifications. Above all, let’s reject the false dichotomy that has plagued football discussions, particularly about Juventus: playing style versus results.
Who goes onto the field intending to “play poorly”? Who steps onto the pitch not wanting to win? No one. Everything else is just oversimplification.
As mentioned, Juventus is not playing well. This is more a matter of effectiveness than aesthetics: they struggled for 60 minutes against a struggling Empoli, were outplayed by Como, and were not always convincing against PSV. But everything else is in place, and before, it wasn’t.
There is a united squad, there is calmness and confidence—because winning and consistency bring exactly that—and there is a deep squad. The summer enthusiasm is not fully there yet, but the spark to ignite it could come from key upcoming matches against Inter and PSV.
In short, it feels like they started building a skyscraper without laying the foundation, and the ambitious plan collapsed. Now, the foundation is there, some walls are beginning to take shape can the real project finally begin?
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