Juve return to serie A (5-1 vs Livorno)
It was a great start to the season for La Vecchia Signora but it is far too early to be altering realistic expectations of champions league qualification into Scudetto dreams.
Livorno were terrible, lacking bite in the final third and a defender capable of tracking Trezeguet.
Iaquinta, despite scoring two goals on his full debut, is irritating. His character is snake-like and for me, as a Juve supporter of 12 years, he is not the kind of player I see as worthy of the shirt. I am sure he will score goals, but he isn’t world class as a footballer or a man. He can make things happen and he does work like a Trojan, but still, he lacks real quality and is a worse diver than super Pippo Inzaghi. I reckon even Inzaghi would have held his hands up and smiled after that second goal which Nedved fired with amazing accuracy off Iaquinta’s legs…But not Iaquinta, who held his hand high in the air as if to thank the Gods for allowing him to produce a moment of such sublime beauty.
Still, 5-1 is a great result. And there are definite reasons to be cheerful…
Chiellini is looking incredible and I am extremely happy that we didn’t sell him. Not only is he uncompromising as a defender but his positioning is competent and he isn’t afraid or lacking the skill to support Nedved up the left flank. In defence, Andrade is looking more comfortable and Criscito, playing next to him in the centre, appears to have considerable potential. With Camoneresi likely to assume the right wing position, perhaps Salihamdzic is best deployed at right back where he looked solid if unspectacular…But with Camoneresi returning to first team action soon, will that mean that Nocerino has to make way??? I hope not, because every team needs a Beast, and Nocerino seems to have a few tricks up his sleeve as well as the obvious tenacity which has helped shape his promising reputation as a cultured hack…
Almiron is finding his feet in the middle and his play and physique, does seem reminiscent of his countryman Veron. While Zanetti was and will always be very tidy, it can not be long before the out of sorts Tiago is bedded into that central position alongside Almiron. We paid a fair amount of money for the Portuguese midfielder and he has proved in the past that he is quality. Just taking time to adjust to the Italian atmosphere.
Nedved continues to impress with boundless energy and astute use of the ball. If this is his last season, we all know he is going to give his all in every match.
Up front, I am so glad that Trezeguet stayed, because he is a World Beater in front of goal. A hatrick on his return to the top flight justifies whatever money was spent to keep him and if he stays fit, he will definitely be a contender for capocannieri. Del Piero still has the flair to prove a thorn in the side of anyone we face, and only his fitness can be of concern. I would say it is in attack where we are lacking depth…Because without Trezeguet and Del Piero we look feeble…Why the hell didn’t we go for Huntellar instead of Iaquinta????? Palladino is pretty, but well off the standard required to be a force at this level.
We do lack a major midfield creative force, but at the same time the Nedved, Almiron, Zanetti (Tiago), Nocerino mix is industrious enough to create chances for the forwards. Defence will be fine and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chiellini and/or Criscito breaking into the Azzurri squad at some point over the coming season.
All in all, a commendable start against a very weak side.
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