Watching a re-run of the Juventus-Bari game made me realise that Juve’s problems stem from a lack of poor coaching. The Bianconeri’s 3-0 win over Bari reminded me of the old Juventus who rarely lost a match. It was also a good day for Italy international Vicenzo Iaquinta who scored a brace to net his first goals for the club since last September and you can only imagine what it meant to him.
The news gets better for Juve fans and terrible for Liverpool fans as Reds coach as Rafael Benitez has apparently reached a verbal agreement with Juventus concerning his probable switch to Serie A. With Lverpool staring at the prospect of ending another season trophy less, Benitez is seriously considering his future in the EPL.
Liverpool strikers Fernando Toress and Dirk Kuyt, and defender Martin Skrtel are all rumored to leave with Benitez however, Liverpool have stated that they will not allow anything less than 70 million Euros for the striker.
Juventus indeed have the players to win any competition and it really baffles me where they lost the plot-especially this season. Juventus president Jean Claude Blanc is even considering flying to the Merseyside later this week to try and woo Benitez into signing a contract with the Italian giants.
The question on many people’s minds is whether Benitez will be able to repair a side that has been badly wounded. In his first season with Liverpool, Benitez was able to lead the Reds to European glory and many will be expecting the same results should he be appointed coach.
After being stripped of the titles they won in the 04/05 and 05/06 season and their subsequent demotion, Juventus are badly in need of some silverware. Benitez’s appointment will also reignite his fierce rivalry with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.Mourinho suffered defeat at the hands of Liverpool in the semi finals of the 2005 Champions League after the Reds scored a dubious goal that was judged to have crossed the line when it didn’t.
As you can guess, Mourinho did not have any kind words for Benitez then and neither would he today. This rivalry will work in favour of the Serie A as it is something that will create more passion and excitement of the Italian game. However, until pen is put to paper then this remains only a rumour.
Photo credit: from The EFP
