Juventus can thank faithful stars for their storming return to Serie A
Juventus were relegated to Serie B last season - after being accused - along with AC Milan, ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio - of being involved in a match fixing scandal. What’s happened to the club since then?
Thanks to some of the world class stars who stayed with them - and showed club loyalty - specifically Gianluigi Buffon, former Czech star Pavel Nedvěd, Mauro Camoranesi and striker Alessandro Del Piero - they are surging back to Serie A.
A little history of the scandal - as a recap - thanks to Wikipedia for the facts used:
In May 2006, Juventus was one of four clubs (along with A.C. Milan, ACF Fiorentina, and S.S. Lazio) linked to an Italian match fixing scandal. The scandal - as you may remember - centered around Juventus’ then general manage; Luciano Moggi – along with others – being accused of dishonest behavior and actions.
Moggi was accused of trying to influence referee assigners so certain referees would be assigned to Juventus’ matches. On May 13, Moggi resigned, along with the entire Juventus administrative council.
It is important to note that no players have ever been accused of any wrong-doing.
Juventus, A.C. Milan, ACF Fiorentina and S.S. Lazio were ordered to stand trial on June 28 2006 and a day before the trial, Juventus’ new team manager Gianluca Pessotto fell from a 4th story window seriously injuring himself.
Manager Fabio Capello left Juventus in early July 2006 for Real Madrid being replaced by former French international Didier Deschamps – who has since managed the club in these difficult circumstances.
When sentences were finally handed down, Juventus was stripped of their 2005 and 2006 scudetto (Italian League Championship), relegated to Serie B, kicked out of the UEFA Champions League for the forthcoming 2006/07 season, and initially docked 30 points for 2006/2007.
Juventus appealed the decision – and after a number of appeals - in November 2006 - the Italian Olympic Committee Arbitration Board reduced the deduction to 9 points.
Seven key players were sold to other clubs during the summer of 2006: Emerson and Italian national captain Fabio Cannavaro both rejoined Fabio Capello at Real Madrid, Cannavaro’s colleague Gianluca Zambrotta and French defender Lilian Thuram were signed by Barcelona. Patrick Vieira moved to Inter Milan along with striker Zlatan Ibrahimović. Adrian Mutu was also sold to Fiorentina.
Some of the club’s top stars did remain loyal to the club, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, former Czech star Pavel Nedvěd, long-serving striker Alessandro Del Piero, Mauro Camoranesi and French striker David Trézéguet (although rumors are that he was forced to stay).
It is with everlasting thanks to these players that Juventus have come back this season, and set about the business at hand and risen up the table relentlessly. They look to have done a great job - and even though they started the season at -9 points - they now top Serie B with 72 points after 35 games with Napoli in second place on 65 points.
Juventus’ goal difference is 45 compared to the next best of 19 by Napoli and in those 35 games - Buffon has conceded only 22 goals.
With the egos of today’s players seemingly increasing every year it is refreshing to see world class players be ready to stand by their clubs – when in difficulty.
The players who have stayed with Juventus have done that – no more so than Buffon – who was easily the best goalkeeper in the world in last year’s world cup – the fact that he has stayed to play lower league football says a lot about his character and spirit.
That he may leave Juventus in the summer is possible - but all credit to him for doing the job in repayment for how well Juventus have treated him over the years and given him his chance.
Of course lots of clubs will be after Buffon - but his wish (like many Italians - all their squad in last year’s world cup played in Italy) is to stay in Italy - and he will probably move to AC Milan to replace Dida - if he leaves Juventus at all.
All credit then to the faithful Juventus players - they have ensured the nightmare for their club has been short-lived - and you don’t hear many stories like this in today’s world of pampered footballers.
Ed Harrison writes on the Newcastle United blog.
- How far can Ranieri take Juventus?
- Inter vs Roma vs Juventus: The Battle for the Serie A
- Juventus Garage Sale To Continue As Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United watch on
- Serie A 07/08 Salaries - Kaka rules the roost
- 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Hate Juventus
Discussion - 17 Responses
Add Your Comment
Comments are moderated (our comments policy).
I’m glad to see juventus bouncing back into the serie A, I always liked the club a lot because they played the most attractive football of all the italian clubs. Buffon probably stayed put because the Bianconeri wanted him to stay so badly and priced almost everyone out of a transfer, but Nedved and Del Piero are Juve through and through, so i’m glad for them as much as I am for the club. Unfortunately, anything they ever achieve from now on will be tainted by the legacy of these last few years.
I not with you on this Karan. Juve hav played the most boring football i’ve ever seen. Liverpool play like Man Utd compared to them [:)]
I haven’t seen much of them this season in Serie B Perif. That’s not surprising. Prior to this season, with Emerson and Vieira doing the tough talking in central midfield and Camoranesi, Nedved, Del Piero and Ibrahimovic as an attacking quartet, they were pretty good, though not nearly as fluid as Man Utd. I can’t remember any team nearly on the same page as them domestically, cheating allegations aside. Inter almost bought an entire squad every season and still struggled to match them. Milan preferred the tried and tested containment style they’re so good at. And Roma were brilliant some days and pretty poor the next, as all Man Utd fans can testify. Actually, Serie A is very boring if you’re bred on Premiership action, maybe that’s a factor in you formulating that point of view?
A good article Ed, but i got to disagree with the praise you give Juventus.
The Last thing a Juventus side deserves is praise after their match-fixing scandal. Firstly i believe that they were treated too leniently. They made Italian football look like a Farce and considering that the initial punishment was 30 points, starting on only -9 points you still would expect them to be promoted. The strength of the English Game, and in particular the quality in depth shown in all the football leagues cant be compared to the Italian Leagues. Serie B for far behind Serie A in all aspects, and the teams in Serie B are really poor that you would expect a half decent team to finish top like Juventus did.
My second point is the praise you give to Buffon on his “commitment” to the club. Remember when this scandal was going on, he was alleged to be betting illegally. I know the betting probe investigation was dropped, but knowing the Italian Soccer Federation, they would have done nothing if there was hard evidence against him. Yes i am assuming things, but this were strong claims against him. Maybe a Guilty conscious kept him at Juventus. hmmm…
Ed, all i can say is you definitely have a thing for teams in black and white!
I agree with perif.
Juve were one of the most boring teams in Serie A.
The last season they won the Scudetto it was a pretty unimpressive win to be honest, not to mention they’ve always had decisions in the league go their way which of course helps. Also, Ibrahmovic was horrible for them, I remember Juve fans not liking him too much, I personally knew a couple who outright hated the guy. Maybe he had a good game or two, but appearently he didn’t do too well in Italy. I personally think he’s overrated.
Mr. Harrison: Do you think the players’ ages might have played any part in their decisions to stay?
I’d like to add that with the exception of Buffon, I don’t think any of the players who stayed were world-class, even when they won league last season.
Hak, I agree with you that the sentence was too lenient. You have to consider that people have been saying for ages that Juve fix matches, but without hard proof you can’t really do anything. Also, there was the whole doping fiasco which is something that actually involved the player. They got off way too easily on that too.
Like you said, the last thing Juve deserve is praise.
Hakieran: “Ed, all i can say is you definitely have a thing for teams in black and white!” …. Hehehe nice comment man
Yes I understand about Buffon being investigated - but stil think he could so easily have left the club - but he didn’t.
But - there again - I know this stuff isn’t all black and white
it’s great to see Juve back where they belong in Serie A.
u gotta tip your hat to players like Buffon, Camorenesi and (even though he was reluctant really) Trezeguet and the younger players.
they’ve shown great character in staying to put and not be beggin’ their agents to cart them off elsewhere while they are in the prime parts of their careers with quite a few years still left to play. even if any of these stars left Juventus in the summer, the fans can’t begrudge them or dishonour there service to the Turin club in any way.
im quite glad Juve won’t be in europe’s top club competition for yet another season though. the less decent teams Man Utd face off with in the KO phases during the 07/08 champions league campaign the better.
They may be back in Serie A, but their still cheats and they got off far lighter than they should have. Well done to the players that have stayed, but it will take a lot of attractive, controversy-free football for them to recapture their image in the football public’s eyes.
I have to disagree with the comments saying that the punshment was too lenient. A title taken away, being relegated and not being allowed to play in Europe are 3 very severe punishments for any club. However, I do agree that once a decision has been made you should stick to your guns. If you dock a teack 30 points then do so, don’t change it later on as this does then seem lenient.
I have always admired any player who sticks with their team despite relegation or disappointment. It is especially commendable for a World-Class player such as Buffon to do so.
Sunderland till I die
I wouldn’t say taking away the title was even a punishment, since they didn’t deserve it in the first place. The only actual punishment would be the relegation and the point docking, which was immensly reduced.
Well well well.Juventus are slowly but surely now coming out of exile.
Although I think that they were lucky to say the least that they didn’t serve at least another season in Seria B after their officals were at the heart of the match-fixing scandal in Italy last year.
Whether the Old Lady of Turin will recover quickly from being demotion is another question.
But I think.If they can keep hold of their star players,and add a few more quailty players to their team next season.
Who knows.They might be able challenge Milan and Inter for the championship?They might not.
slt cava moi lahsan akhlil j’ai 16ans
moi j’ai chercher un ékip de italia moi deja juo le football de hassania agadir de maroc mé mesi moi habit à agadir de maroc stp cherche un ékip moi je vuex à juo le fottball de jeuventus
no coment