Juventus' rough season: What went wrong?
After years of Champions League consistency, Juventus entered their latest campaign with nothing but modest ambitions. Under Igor Tudor, a manager who never quite inspired confidence, the Bianconeri were expected to scrape into Europe’s elite competition—just as they had done for over a decade. Yet for the first time in years (bar a single point-deducted season), they found themselves staring at a brutal reality: a missed top-four finish.
Tudor’s Short-Lived Revival Crumbles
When the season kicked off, Tudor’s interim appointment felt like a stopgap measure—a last resort after failed attempts to lure heavyweight managers like Antonio Conte. But eight consecutive winless games later, the club had no choice but to act. Luciano Spalletti took the reins, yet the damage was already irreversible.
A Summer of Empty Promises
The transfer window brought in four players, but none had a transformative impact. By January, a glaring deficiency remained unaddressed: Juventus still lacked a genuine striker threat. Dusan Vlahovic’s seven-month absence left a void even ambitious signings like Jonathan David and Lois Openda couldn’t fill. Goals dried up when they mattered most.
Self-Inflicted Goals Against Themselves
Defensive errors became a recurring nightmare. Michele Di Gregorio, once Serie A’s most reliable goalkeeper, saw his form deteriorate into costly blunders. Spalletti’s decision to bench him proved temporary—injuries handed the shot-stopper a lifeline, which he promptly squandered. Frustratingly, questionable refereeing decisions piled pressure on a team already struggling with consistency.
The Fragility of a Broken Mentality
Spalletti’s post-match analysis cut straight to the heart of Juventus’ downfall: "We lacked toughness." Against Fiorentina, the pressure exposed their mental frailty. A victory would have secured Champions League football; instead, they collapsed under the weight of expectation. Without strong leadership or resilience, even technically sound teams can crumble.
