Just as they were in last season’s Champions League final, this week saw Juventus find themselves thoroughly outplayed by Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the same competition. A defeat by a three-goal margin which in truth could’ve been wider brought back memories of the 4-1 loss in Cardiff, simultaneously reminding observers of the various excuses offered up just ten months ago.
Back then it was felt that the one-off format, the sense of occasion and Max Allegri’s tactics were to blame, but all those reasons were stripped away on Tuesday night Zinedine Zidane’s men put on a masterclass. Of course, there were some mitigating circumstances – with the fact both Miralem Pjanić and Medhi Benatia were suspended being chief among them – but by the time the final whistle blew in Turin, an uncomfortable but obvious truth had been laid bare.
To be blunt, Real Madrid are simply a much better team than this current incarnation of Juventus. The two previous meetings have shown that to be clearly evident, with the Spanish side markedly superior in every facet of the game while also boasting the otherworldly talent of Cristiano Ronaldo who has four of the seven goals Los Merengues have scored to his name.
In this most recent clash the Portuguese megastar produced two unstoppable finishes, with his second strike – an overhead kick in which he connected with the ball better than most strikers can when stood firmly on the ground – certain to be remembered as one of the very best of his career. That the Bianconeri supporters who filled the stadium simply stood and applauded him underlines the sense of majesty on show, and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has admitted he was moved by the remarkable and impromptu ovation.
Meanwhile, Juve can lament the absence of their banned duo and both would have unquestionably been part of the starting XI, they can cite the performance of the Turkish referee and even some uncharacteristic mistakes from Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini but that would be clutching at straws. They can bemoan both their own misfortune and highlight a few instances where luck clearly benefitted their opponents, but that would be hugely counterproductive for a club who so desperately wants to genuinely challenge Real, Barcelona and Bayern Munich on equal footing in the near future.
Everything you need to see from Juventus 0-3 Real Madrid in 60 seconds.
Instead, what they can, should and must do is look inward, and do so without seeking excuses for their shortcomings. Winners of the last six Serie A titles and utterly dominant against their domestic rivals, the Bianconeri should be proud of how far they have come since returning to prominence in 2011. Being finalists in the Champions League in two of the last three seasons remains an incredible accomplishment, while their stadium, infrastructure and even the complete overhaul of the playing squad has been planned and executed to perfection.
Even as the likes of Barzagli, Chiellini and Gigi Buffon edge towards retirement, the work done in recent years has ensured their replacements are already in place as Wojciech Szczęsny, Daniele Rugani and Benatia have proven. Yet as this truly excellent side moves forward and seeks to end the club’s 22-year wait for European glory, none of these things will matter without the final pieces to the jigsaw.
Indeed, this team is not missing a future prospect or a back up for any position, showing repeatedly that it already has more than enough depth to be a contender. What it lacks instead is top end quality. For the last two summers, director general Beppe Marotta and his colleague Fabio Paratici appear to have recognised this and invested their funds in the kind of difference makers needed at the highest level.
In 2016 they spent €122 million to bring Gonzalo Higuain and Pjanić to Turin, while 12 months ago they handed over another €86 million to secure the arrivals of Federico Bernardeschi and Douglas Costa. However, at the same time they have seen Alvaro Morata, Paul Pogba and Leonardo Bonucci leave, with Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal also departing back in 2015.
What this side needs now, if it is to truly become elite, is to continue paying high transfer fees for established stars while retaining the talent they already have. As those who sign the cheques at Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City can attest, winning the Champions League is not easy, yet Juve have come closer than either of that oil-fuelled duo, laying strong foundations that will last for years. When the summer transfer window opens, they have a chance to close the gap even further if they add one or two more top class players.
The backline remains one of the strongest on the continent and, with an attack boasting Dybala, Higuain, Costa and Bernardeschi highlighting that midfield is where the squad now needs reinforcing. Names such as Sergej Milinković-Savić, Isco or Christian Eriksen should no be off-limits, and with a plethora of reserve options set to return from various loan deals, the entire budget can be sunk into chasing them or others of that stature.
It will be difficult, it will be exhausting and it will be expensive, but it is also the only way to ensure that the Old Lady has a real chance of going head-to-head with Europe’s super clubs when Juventus returns to Champions League action in 2018/19.
