An unreal situation, mixed with general disillusionment. Juventus, who could have been 6 points ahead and close to keeping their Scudetto dream alive, find themselves (again) in the midst of protest. With fifteen minutes left in the game, half of the South Curve stand had already gone home in protest. As the final whistle approached, the players stood with their hands on their knees, simply devastated by what they had experienced and produced on the field. A part of Juventus ended the moment the referee Sozza sent the teams to the locker room.
MOTTA’S FUTURE – The first look after the defeat is inevitably directed at Thiago Motta. He remained kneeling for a long time, realizing what lies ahead from now on: a defeat both internally and externally, with media and fans ready to live in a state of war. What will become of the idea and the idealist? Motta risks being swallowed more than anyone in a conflict that is no longer about ideologies, but about survival. Discussions about his future were already ongoing, and this is another piece to inevitably add to the conversation, especially since it is the worst home defeat ever for Juventus at the Stadium.
ENDS IMMEDIATELY? – For those wondering, no, the story between Juventus and Motta will not end immediately. However, it is certainly a step in the opposite direction of his staying. Thiago now needs to demonstrate not only that he firmly controls the team, but also that he can avoid the highs and lows – too many lows – shown in a season finale where even excuses cannot save him. The feeling, which is not yet news, is that the management may now face an ultimatum: in or out before the break. Fiorentina will therefore be decisive.
WHO IN HIS PLACE? – Time for name-dropping, then. It almost seems like a direct consequence. The only available candidate, who could accept and embody the spirit sought by Giuntoli now, is Igor Tudor. The Croatian could be the most immediate solution, but only if everything really falls apart. Only if Thiago proves he is not truly in command of Juventus. It could happen, of course. But at the moment, in the management’s thoughts, it is still a rather remote idea, despite the total defeat in the match against Atalanta.