Andrea Pirlo has outlined Juventus’ goals for the new calendar year after finishing 2020 with a whimper rather than a bang.
Juventus completed the last calendar year on a sorrowful note, succumbing to a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina at the Allianz Stadium. Though it was their first reverse of the season, the Bianconeri have failed to demonstrate dominance and consistency seen throughout the past decade.
It’s been a while since Juventus last failed to win at least 50% of their opening 13 Serie A fixtures. However, Andrea Pirlo’s men have set that unwanted record this term, picking up just six victories in their first 13 league matches (D6, L1). As a result, they enter the new calendar year trailing table-toppers AC Milan by a staggering ten points.
The abovementioned loss at the hands of Fiorentina has been just the tip of the iceberg, as the reigning champions struggled to live up to expectations across numerous categories. Given Juventus’ footballing stature and intimidating firepower upfront, it has struck many by surprise that they’ve managed a mediocre average of only 1.92 goals scored per Serie A game this season.
Andrea Pirlo has to pull up his socks and shake things up in Turin to propel his side back into the title race. A disappointing closure of 2020 left the Italian manager fuming, prompting a serious discussion within the dressing room.
Pirlo will be desperate to see Juventus bounce back at the beginning of the new year, as they welcome an out-of-form Udinese to the Allianz Arena. Speaking of the conversation he held with his players, the 41-year-old has revealed what he had to tell his pupils about their recent form.
“We talked about that game [against Fiorentina], and everything was wrong about it, from the attitude to every detail. It was a bad way to end 2020. We had a good meeting where we discussed our future objectives and what happened, so it was a productive encounter,” Pirlo told Football-Italia.
“I never want to see that performance again. We’ve improved in many aspects lately, but I am convinced we can do far better.”
The former deep-lying playmaker has also commented on Juventus’ upcoming league meeting with Udinese.
“We got back together for training on Monday, and I saw a team eager to get back out there after a bad performance.
“It’s a difficult game coming up, as Udinese are in a good period of form, are physical, organized, and dangerous on the counter-attack. We’ve got to focus the preventative marking on their strikers and the midfielders who push up.
“We already know Roberto Pereyra well, as he was part of our squad here, so it’s going to be a very difficult match.”
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