Round 38: Fine

By: johncas | May 22nd, 2011

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.“
Winston Churchill

Happy end of the world, everyone. Aaron is no longer with us. He was taken up to heaven during the rapture, so I’ll be manning this ship solo from now on. Everyone left down here is stuck with me.

Luck you.

The day of the end of another poor season, I sit and write this preview staring the rapture straight in the face. A Phd. of World Literature such as Alanis Morrissette would refer to this as ”ironic” (you know, sort of like when you just need a knife and are practically up to your eyeballs in, like, 10,000 spoons!). I see it as the end. But in many ways, this is just the beginning.

“Get off the ledge...”

This hasn’t been a good season by any measure. It started off promising, but injuries, poor decision-making, and other factors, well, caught up to us.

But it isn’t all bad. We were told from the beginning that this would be a season in transition. The goal was to rebuild the squad for the future while simultaneously remaining relatively competitive in the present. That is an incredibly tall order regardless of the team or sport. Even my beloved Yankees can’t accomplish that each year…although, there are some similarities: we look good in stripes, play in a northern, industrial city, are owned by an influential family and, according to the FIGC, each have 27 domestic championships to our name.

"So do you remember what it's like to be on a dominant team, Ale?"

The point is, hegemony of any sort can never have any real longevity. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in life, it’s that things are cyclical. Climate patterns shift, political preferences change, and for some ungodly reason, 80s fashions are coming back despite never having been cool in the first place. Maybe it actually is the rapture. But I digress. Take Liverpool, for soccer-related example. They’re not only about hypocrisy and reckless manslaughter. They actually have a storied past, despite currently wallowing in 6th place, after having a comparably disappointing season last year.

And even though I’ve spent a large part of this past season acting like this guy…

…I know that somewhere, deep down…I still love Juve.

And, there’s still one more game to play.

“Stop clammoring for attention and jump already!”

Felipe Melo has a right ankle problem and is a likely scratch. That’s pretty much it for the bad news. Much of this season has been pretty much one big piece of bad news, so my perception of what this actually means is probably a bit skewed at this point.

“Don’t do it, you have so much left to live for!”

According to goal.com (so you know it has to be true), Michel Bastos will be joining Juventus within the next ten days. I don’t know too much about him, nor do I know what role he is being brought in to fill (assuming that the story is true). According to his Wikipedia (so you know it has to be true), he plays wing for Lyon, and left back from the Brazil national team, and can play on either side. Although only capped seven times, he was part of the 2010 Brazil World Cup team, and seems to be a regular call-up. This type of versatility is always good, especially on a team designed to build play from out wide. Which brings me to the next point…

Gigi Delneri confirmed that he will not be coach next season. Despite everyone trying to act as coyly as a fifteen year old blushing at the douchebag in the varsity jacket that I could never be (sorry, I’m projecting), the Italian John Edwards Antonio Conte is widely considered to be the replacement. Similar to GDN, he prefers to play a 4-4-2 that oftentimes looks like a 4-2-4, and may be perfectly suited for a player like Bastos’ capabilities.

Speaking of poorly kept secrets, it looks like the deal for Andrea Pirlo is as good as done. Didn’t I tell you I saw this coming from months ago?

And, of course, there’s that little matter about the game against Napoli. Edinson Cavani will not be available due to suspension, so three points is a very real possibility. If Roma can find a way to lose against an already-relegated Sampdoria — who just may feel as if they’ve got something to prove in what will be their final day in Serie A for at least another year — we’re in the Europa League. There, I said the E-Word, I’m sick of pretending that I’m superstitious.

Subtract one Melo, add one Kelso? According to Tuttomercatoweb(so it must be true), Paolo DeCeglie is listed as starting at left back in their probable formation. He will be a site for sore eyes for sure. If he can keep his hands off of Jackie, then we may be in good shape.

Probable lineup (I really no longer have any clue at this point, so don’t knock me when I’m inevitably wrong), 4-4-2: Buffon; Sorenson, Barzagli, Chiellini, DeCeglie (about effin’ time); Krasic, Marchisio, Aquilani, Pepe; Del Piero, Matri.

Some Related Juventus Posts:

Category: Team News

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wali_100

some juve fans complain about juve playing 4-4-2. the problem is not the system. the problem is..... do you have players who fit in to the system?. Remember Man. Utd, Valencia, Liverpool, Bayern Leverkusen... all use 4-4-2. if Conte can find a good players.. who can fit in to his system... the team will be a winning a team. Now I want to everyone to pay attention to CL Final man Utd Formation... and YES it will be 4-4-2.
so dont be hatin' on 4-4-2, just find the right players for it.
Forza Juve.
dwicarta

Imogen Thomas: The Beginning of the Fall of the Old Trafford Empire.
juveman11

Bentornato Capitano!!
Moderaterock101

I might have missed an article but is there any truth in the fact that Juve is out to get Dzsudzsak? I have only seen the references on the Juve Offside. I haven't watched him play though.
JoseR

Nothing that I have seen. Actually no one seems interested in Dzsudzsak as far as I know.
etentori

All of this Bastos talk has left me wondering, has he played since he got injured/has he recovered yet?

He had a meniscus injury at some point this year that required surgery and I think he would be back for the last games of the Ligue 1 season.
Juan Montoya Novielli

well......

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jcOk...
johncas

Where did you find that? I love it...SO much better than many of the other designs I've seen...
Arunashamal

Cool Design
Blanda_Amania

If I squint my eyes, the blur becomes solid, so actually better than the sawtooth edging.
djp4cal

Better than some of the other ones we've seen posted here.
Rdj8

Is it the official shirt? I like it.
etentori

Ugh, reminds me of Inter's kit for this season.
Rdj8

Can't wait to see Pirlo and Del Piero in the same squad again.
Chuks A.

And Europe has been put on a red alert people:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/...
NBW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

CONTE CRYS AS HE WAVES GOODBYE TO SIENA FANS!!!

BENVENUTTO CONTE!!!
Blanda_Amania

D':
Chuks A.

Him crying with his child there was very touching actually, and I don't mean that sarcastically at all.
bulle

The Siena - Varese game was sort of interesting. It's pretty clear that Conte doesn't like losing. It's difficult to judge his playing style just based on this one game since there really should have been nothing to play for. Still at 5-0 up, Conte was screaming at his players. You got to love his attitude. I think Adam Digby's post on Conte's playing style was pretty accurate from what realized during the game. Great article! Will be very interesting to see what Conte can do at Juve. I have a good feeling about Conte but then again, I thought the same thing about Ferrara. Wish him all the best!
pablouv

Varese is my mother's last name (and my second last name), you are not earning any brownie points in my book Conte :p
JoseR

Yeah, when Varese missed the penalty Conte was celebrating as though the game was still 0-0. For the record Siena was winning 4-0 at the time.
bulle

Yeah, loved that. I can't see him switching to a more defensive formation to secure a 1-0 lead. He would probably add a striker as long as his team isn't up by 3 goals. I read somewhere (maybe here) that Conte was furious after the defeat to Ascoli. That's two weeks after the he had already secured promotion. It would have been interesting to see how a Europa League campaign would have ended for Juve with that kind of mentality.
Armando_inc

Two good things out of the Napoli game.
1. DE CEGLIE
2. BONIPERTI

Irs good to see De Ceglie back on the field and while he didnt do anything spectacular, it seems like he hasnt lost a step. And Boniperti is seriously one for the future. Not at all becse of his name eier. This kid has some serious talent. I think we should buy a starting left winger and have just pasquato and boniperti as the backups along with pepe possibly. Between pasquato, boniperti, giandonato, marrone, and libertazzi, we have a realky strong primavera and should let tgem earn there place into the first team. Messi started outas a bench warmer, earnedhis way into the first team, and is now the best player on the planet. I could honestlysee especially pasquato, giandonato, and boniperti being some world class players in the years to come.
cinese

What match did you watch? Delneri put Chiellini in the leftback position, and De Ceglie was sitting on the bench. Don't get your hope up on Pasquato, Boniperti etc. They will be treated just like Giovinco because Juve is a big club and can't afford to let kids learn. We fans are part of the problem because we want to win now. The kids will be loaned out continuously until other teams discover their potential. Boniperti was alright in this match, did what the typical talented youngster would do.
NBW

KUN AGUERO said on his Twitter account that he is leaving Atl. Madrid!!

Hope it is not for city rivals!!!

COME TO OLD LADY!!!!! :)))
AlaskaJuventino

It'd better not be for city rivals...

though I heard Torino did put together a pretty comprehensive bid for Kun. We'll just have to wait and see.
Daniels

@agiamba:disqus is making a personal call for Aguero to join us on twitter. priceless :D
Comrade

I thought even talking about players costing more than 18m was crime of the highest order punishable via tattooing "bandwagoner" on the criminal's forehead?
tortbort

+1 haha!
agiamba

Yawn....
jorid22

http://www.titaniumteddybear.n...
Chuks A.

Seriously, there's not a time where the pics you link don't crack me up=P
roberto

I'm of the idea we leave Marrone at Siena for next year because of their promotion. For 2012-13, he'll have some great Serie A experience under his belt and Luca will certainly be ready to rejoin Conte after we qualify for the Champions League. Boom, that just happened.
Chuks A.

You're not around a lot anymore, but when you do drop by, you sure do make a powerful comment =D
roberto

Yea, i'm going out on quite the limb with that one aren't I? Let's hope with Conte we finally end this spell of coaching changes for many years to come.
Andrew Modic

Bastos is a problem for me I would rather have Dzsudzsak or Giovinco. Looks like Bastos agent and his current club want to cash in. I would like to see what Martinez can do being healthly and playing the proper position as the sub. Midfield I could careless about Aqua and love Pirlo coming in. Defense still scares me.
JoseR

Conte's Siena is playing today. In case anyone is interested, here is the stream

http://www.gollasso--1.blogspo...
roberto

http://www.firstrowsports.com/...
BostonBobo

Been a while since I've posted, just wanted to pose a few questions/points:

- If Bastos is really coming, do we think Conte would use him as a LW or LB? PDC/Bastos up the left wing is pretty damn strong attack-wise, but I'm not sure it has the defensive strength to hold up for a season. I really don't want to see Bastos as our main LB, as it seems we would be losing something defensively and not fully taking advantage of his offensive skills. Also, really just a shame we friggin paid 14M for Martinez. Heres to hoping he will have a productive bounce-back year with little to no expectations. Solid offensive sub off the bench, I guess. The advantage here is that with Bastos and PDC in there, Marchisio can finally get central where he belongs, not stranded on the left to cover for crap fullbacks.

- In the middle, I love the idea of bringing in Pirlo, especially as a supersub for Melo/Marchisio (and a starter for when Melo is suspended for his inevitable 2-3 red cards). Think about those exact minutes the past few years around 60-70 minutes, up one or two goals, we concede something shitty, and all of a sudden everything goes back. GDN called it "la paura" (the fear), when every single pass is intercepted, we are fighting with ref and teammates, and totally fall apart only to concede a few more games. Off the top of my head I think about Napoli, Chievo, Catania, Udinese...To bring on Pirlo at that moment, as a calming veteran who can hold possession, make the right pass, not get flustered, and give the team some much needed confidence, would absolutely make a difference of a few wins. Of course this all depends on having a healthy Melo/Marchisio/Pirlo, we don't want to lean too much on the old man!

- Defensively, I LOVE getting Cassani (even if it means Aquilani back to Liverpool), just someone you can pencil in as solid RB every week that can handle any combination of speed/power, doesn't need the CB's to slide and help all game, plus pretty decent attacking and crossing. Also would allow for Krasic to push up a little more in Conte's 4-2-4. I wouldn't mind Lichsteiner as a backup plan for Cassani. We could use some hard-nosed guys like Lichsteiner that will stand up to anyone, not cower under pressure. I could see him as a Montero type, just absolute bone-crunching tackles that will make people think twice about running at him full speed. Before I get shit on I'm not saying he is anywhere as good (I LOVED Montero), but the same type of violent player who you hate playing against but love on your team.

Thats all I got, can't wait till we actually make some moves. Already SO tired of the rumors, yet I eat them all up haha. Forza Juve!

Oh and as a die-hard Juve and Red Sox fan in Boston, I really could have done without that pic of Alex with the yankees jersey. At least we swept them in NY last week, suckers!
Somnath_Sengupta

Cut the man-child some slack :(

He got just one red card this season (stupid red, but just one). After coming back he rarely got carded.