During his illustrious career, Alessandro Del Piero emerged as one of the most respected figures within the world of football, leaving behind not only memories of spectacular goals and momentous victories but also considerable insight about the future of his beloved club, Juventus.
Recently, Del Piero has garnered attention for his candid reflections on Juventus' current struggles on the European stage. The former Juventus captain pointed out the significant gap between Juventus and elite clubs during appearances on Sky Sport, expressing concerns over the club's performance and management. "C'è un divario enorme che si è visto stasera..." (translated: “There is an enormous gap seen this evening...”) said Del Piero, referring to Juventus' recent elimination from the Champions League after being outplayed by the PSV Eindhoven.
It brings to light the alarming statistics: Juventus has not progressed beyond the Champions League round of 16 since the 2018-19 season. This stagnation marks a troubling trend for the historic club, which, as Del Piero pointed out, hasn't achieved success at the level expected from them. Reportedly, Juventus does not surpass one knockout stage match since achieving victory over Atletico Madrid five years ago.
From 2018 to the current season, Juventus has seen consistent setbacks, with numerous coaching changes contributing to this decline. Del Piero highlighted, "La Juventus non supera uno scontro a eliminazione diretta..." (translated: “Juventus has not surpassed any knockout stage...”). Reflecting on the years, he noted failures under different coaches, emphasizing the chaotic coaching carousel—from Massimiliano Allegri to Maurizio Sarri, Andrea Pirlo, and back to Allegri, now Thiago Motta. Each era brought new tactics but has yet to yield lasting success.
The evident gulf diminished hope, leading Del Piero to advocate for the need for strategic enhancement within the Juventus hierarchy. "È evidente che la Juventus... abbia ancora bisogno di tempo per tornare a certi livelli,” (translated: “It is evident Juventus still needs time to return to certain levels”), emphasizing the urgency of restructuring and recalibration within the club.
Del Piero calls for serious introspection within Juventus, advocating for experienced individuals to step up and uplift the team's standards. He noted the team's youth and relative lack of experience on international platforms which hinders their progression. "La Juve è una squadra fondamentalmente giovane..." (translated: “The Juve is fundamentally a young team...”). The acknowledgment of their vulnerability demonstrating how valuable seasoned players and management figures could be.
Critics like Paolo Di Canio joined Del Piero, stressing the failures of management during key matches, emphasizing the necessity for tactical adaptability against formidable European opposition. Di Canio remarked on missed opportunities from Juventus, pointing out their stagnant offensive setups and criticized Motta's decisions during pivotal moments.
The continuous failures have ignited speculations about who could rejuvenate the team, raising questions about Del Piero's potential return to the club—not as just another player, but possibly as part of the management team or even leading the club’s revamped strategy. Both fans and analysts have begun to see the need for someone with his accolades, leadership qualities, and passionate commitment to the club.
Given Del Piero's unparalleled connection and adoration among Juventus supporters, his return could unify the fan base and instill confidence during these tumultuous times. His deep-rooted beliefs about enhancing the club's global image, encouraging young talents, and promoting continuity could provide the spark Juventus desperately needs to reform.
While many still reminisce about Del Piero's goals, the transition from evaluating his glorious past to exploring how he could potentially shape Juventus' promising future resonates deeply at this moment. With the Italian national team also seeking fresh leadership, there’s speculation about the possibility of Del Piero being positioned as president of FIGC to invigorate Italian football culture.
Del Piero stands out as not just representing the Juventus legacy but also symbolizing hope for revitalization within Italian football, proving to be more than just his illustrious playing days. His experience and strategic vision could make him the guiding light necessary for Juventus, as well as Italian football, to bridge the vast gap from being players to champions worthy of silverware on the grandest stages.