The environment around the Bianconeri has been revitalized, and with Spalletti, a new atmosphere is palpable. After a year and a half of struggles and difficulties, a turning point might finally be here.
If it is true that great teams—or winning teams—are those capable of securing three points even when playing poorly, the recent match in Pisa suggests Juventus is on track to become a serious threat, even in the Scudetto race. For an hour, the team performed poorly, risking defeat multiple times (Pisa hit the crossbar and the post). However, they rallied just enough to score the winning goals (the first, predictably, coming from a double deflection) after coach Luciano Spalletti introduced fresh legs, notably Zhegrova and Miretti.
Patience and Fortune
As the legendary Arrigo Sacchi might say, victory requires “eye, patience, and a stroke of luck.” Juventus lacked none of these elements. Now they sit near the top, a remarkable achievement considering the turmoil the club has endured over the past eighteen months. Caution is necessary: while Juve is just one point behind leaders Inter, the Nerazzurri, along with Milan and Napoli, have games in hand. These teams could potentially extend their lead again. However, the current league standing carries significant visual weight, conveying the crucial message that Spalletti has successfully instilled fundamental change within the squad.
Over the last year and a half, virtually nothing went right in Turin. Even promising arrivals—such as Motta (from Bologna`s success), Giuntoli (fresh off the Napoli title), Koopmeiners (from Atalanta`s European run), and David (scoring prolific goals at Lille)—were caught in the negative spiral.
The End of the Negative Spiral
Everyone in Turin seemed to be sucked into a vortex of negativity that undermined all certainties. Juventus—historically famous for transforming even mediocre players into champions—had become the opposite: players arrived as stars and faded rapidly. Although the negative effects may not be fully eliminated, a noticeably different atmosphere has taken hold for the first time since the summer of 2024.
Given their proximity to the top, the inevitable question arises: can the Bianconeri truly win the Scudetto? The answer depends on an assessment of the absolute quality of the competing squads. Inter and Napoli appear stronger and more complete, boasting deeper quality in both starting elevens and reserves. Milan is less competitive than Inter or Napoli but benefits from focusing solely on the league campaign. Roma is not far behind.
Nevertheless, this doesn`t mean Juventus shouldn`t aim for the top prize, as Spalletti emphasized upon his arrival: always target the maximum objective. After all, the best team doesn`t always win, as several recent Serie A seasons have demonstrated.
Focusing on January
The upcoming January transfer market could help Juventus address some squad deficiencies. Moreover, the schedule offers a significant advantage. Over the next four matchdays, facing Lecce, Sassuolo, Cremonese, and Cagliari (up until January 17th), Juventus will be the favored side, offering an opportunity to rack up crucial points and fuel their ambitions.
This period contrasts sharply with the demanding fixtures faced by their rivals. Inter, for instance, faces Atalanta and Bologna before meeting Napoli in a key clash. Napoli must travel to Lazio before hosting Inter on January 11th. In short, Spalletti has a window of opportunity: this wide-open championship has waited for Juventus through most of the first half of the season, and now they find themselves at the top—a different, renewed, and perhaps dangerous contender.
