[Fillipo Simone]

Man, what a major let down that was after the performances against England and Germany. But in the end, Spain deserved it, and they were the better team

Yes, and the difference was painfully evident. That's what I fear will happen once again. Juventus being trashed.

[han2503]

Yes, and the difference was painfully evident. That's what I fear will happen once again. Juventus being trashed.

Prandelli's tactical decisions and subs certainly didn't help, but yeah, there was clear gulf in quality

[Rossoneri7]

Ever since their come back to Serie A, I stated on this forum that Serie A needed a strong Juventus.

Further ...

Barcelona have faced nothing like Juventus - Lippi


Juventus' 1996 Champions League-winning coach Marcello Lippi believes the Bianconeri will present Barcelona with their toughest tactical proposition in some time when the two sides meet in the 2015 final in Berlin on Saturday.

Lippi, who also led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, has told Goal that the Serie A champions have qualities that Barca have yet to face under Luis Enrique, making them something of an unknown quantity to the Catalans.

"These are the best two teams in Europe this season, but when a team gets to this point in a continental competition there are no certainties," explained Lippi. "In my opinion, Luis Enrique and his side have not faced a team so compact, sturdy and so willing to defend as Juventus.

"But the Bianconeri also know how to counter-attack with speed when they regain possession, and this could be a factor in how the game turns out. Barcelona are favourites, of course, but I don't think it will be as easy for them as many seem to think.

"The Catalans have Martians in their attack in Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, and that will make life very complicated for Allegri. But Juve are organised and tough, and we mustn't forget that Buffon is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I expect a more balanced game than most seem to think it will be."

The 67-year-old added that he sees something in this Juve side that he has seen somewhere before.

"This Juve is growing similarly to my side back in the 1990s, first in Italy and then in Europe. Perhaps before long they will find themselves winning the Club World Cup just as we won the Intercontinental Cup in 1996. I would be delighted if Allegri were to win the trophy. I am not envious as they are all feelings I experienced and they are intoxicating."

And Lippi agrees that Juve have shown a flexibility in their Champions League campaign which bodes well ahead of the final.

"I have no doubt about it, just look at the things we've seen from this side. In Dortmund, for example, Juventus really took the initiative, showing superiority and a real awareness of their potential. Then against Madrid they got on top in the home leg, and while they were forced to suffer a little in the return that is normal for any side at the Bernabeu. They could even have won that game when you consider some of the chances they created.

"After three league titles, Allegri has come in and really added something. He has removed any anxieties from the squad and they have grown tactically. They now play in two different shapes without any transitional issues. This I how huge teams function.

"Luis Enrique has had a similar impact at Barcelona, and has got the best out of Suarez, Neymar and Messi while at the same time they recognise that he is the leader. We all know how the Blaugrana play, the way they use the ball so well and are hard to break down, but they have never faced a team like Juventus, who are so willing to defend so Messi and company will find it difficult

"Juve, though, must believe in themselves and take advantage of Barca's weaknesses. They must not be in awe of the opposition, and remember that all of the pressure is on Barcelona. I expect Juve to be tactically astute, and in 90 minutes anything can happen."

The former Napoli and Inter boss, who had two separate spells in charge of both Juve and the Italian national side, insists there is no set way to prepare for a final.

"Everyone has their own way to prepare for such an event. The important thing is to be focused on the goal, on the field. In a final you have to expect that there will be slight deviations to the general rules, but the only important thing is the result."

Goal.com

After Juve vs Madrid (1st leg) - Italy's European Coefficient points were at a total of 70.01 vs German 79.129 vs Spain 98.142

Post Madrid vs Juve (2nd leg) - Italy's European Coefficient points were a total of 70.510 vs Germany 79.415 vs Spain 99.427

[han2503]

What Serie A needs is a strong Juve, Inter and Milan. Juve alone being strong while the rest of Serie A is light years behind is not a good thing imo.

Yes the co-efficient has improved this season, that's also down to Napoli and Fiorentina going into the semi's of the EL.

But for Serie A to be strong again we need those big 3 clubs to all be strong and challenge each other. Juve might have made it to the final this season, but they could just as easily not make it out of their group next year. Nothing is guaranteed as they're not a strong force like Barca, Bayern or Madrid, they need someone to actually give them some sort of a challenge on the domestic front if they want to remain competitive in Europe as well.

Also, Serie A needs it's second tier sides to improve as well

Think back to the early 00s, when you had an all Italian final and an all Italian UEFA Cup final within a short amount of years. Not to mention Serie A Clubs being regulars in the last stages of the CL.

1 fluke season is not enough

[kurtsimonw]

After Juve vs Madrid (1st leg) - Italy's European Coefficient points were at a total of 70.01 vs German 79.129 vs Spain 98.142

Post Madrid vs Juve (2nd leg) - Italy's European Coefficient points were a total of 70.510 vs Germany 79.415 vs Spain 99.427

I imagine Serie A might be even catching the EPL? English clubs have been awful in Europe for 2/3 years now.

Chiellini missing is huge, but the Juventus fans I know seem to think Barzagli is their best overall defender and Boucci is important to their back 4, so if Barzagli is fit and plays with Bonucci it's not the end of the World I suppose.

Imagine if Ogbonna has to play though?

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jun 6 2015, 12:20 PM

[han2503]

I imagine Serie A might be even catching the EPL? English clubs have been awful in Europe for 2/3 years now.

Chiellini missing is huge, but the Juventus fans I know seem to think Barzagli is their best overall defender and Boucci is important to their back 4, so if Barzagli is fit and plays with Bonucci it's not the end of the World I suppose.

Imagine if Ogbonna has to play though?

They're missing Chiellini??

Didn't know that.

I think Bonucci needs a proper leader next to him as he tends to be a bit of a hit and miss at times. Also, has Barzagli been playing much this season?

As for the point, I don't think Italy is anywhere close to England at this point. The gap between England + Spain and the others was already a bit distant. 2 bad seasons isn't enough to do much damage, especially since there was already that gap. Also, I think English sides will be much stronger next year anyway. What interests me is if we've closed much of a gap on Germany atm

[X-Offender]

I don't think the gap between Italian and English clubs is actually that big. At least now.

[Fillipo Simone]

The thing with Italian clubs is that they have no longterm strategy and spend (or used to spend) unwise. Take Bologna for example. I was absolutely stunned the other day I learn how much they've spent around 2010. Now compare that with a German club like M'Gladbach. Steadily aiming at the CL, signing smart deals, getting extra cash for big players like Kruse or Reus. That's what Italy needs. More clubs like that.

[X-Offender]

Honestly, English clubs are the prime example of unwise spending. Take Tottenham, Liverpool, even Arsenal and United. I've never seen clubs that spend shitloads of money on every turn like they do. Someone somewhere had a decent season somehow. Boom! 30 million like it's biscuits. With the amount of money that circulates in the Premier League, English should be dominating European football.

[Fillipo Simone]

Yes, but the main difference is - they can afford to spend. Or at least most of them. Whereas clubs like Bologna cannot but still manage to do it.

[X-Offender]

What Italian clubs spend doesn't even compare to what English clubs do. And Bologna? How much did they spend they got you all obsessed with them all of a sudden?

[Fillipo Simone]

Obsessed? Well, I'm more stunned and surprised. Sure it's incomparable; but then what's the point of bringing in English clubs into the discussion?

Anyway, from 2008-2012 they've spent about 75M. €, with very bad deals and high payrolls.

[kurtsimonw]

Obsessed? Well, I'm more stunned and surprised. Sure it's incomparable; but then what's the point of bringing in English clubs into the discussion?

Anyway, from 2008-2012 they've spent about 75M. €, with very bad deals and high payrolls.

Is that a net spend?

People often bring up Spurs in regards to big spending, when in reality is they made £200m in recent years just from the sales of Bale, Modric, Crouch Pavlyuchenko and van der Vaart. Their net spend is not very much at all.

[han2503]

I think EPL sides can also command huge numbers for their players as well so that's a big factor, no team would pay over a 100m on a Bale that was playing in Serie A. Simple as that.

Also, it's not like Spanish clubs spend wisely either.

[kurtsimonw]

Yawn. Another match fix. Boring. UEFA needs a clean out like FIFA.