Whether you choose to bet on Italian Serie A or not, you’ll know it’s become all too predictable to guess who will win the Scudetto. Turin side, Juventus are a dominant force in the domestic league, winning a total 35 Serie A titles, but more astonishingly, the last eight – and are the most successful club by a long shot. Even though the 2019-20 campaign kicked off last weekend, we list four reasons why Juventus are sure to win the Scudetto again.
#1 Two words: Cristiano Ronaldo
With the G.O.A.T in their attack, if there was one reason why Juventus will be successful once again, there it is. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had a fruitful first season in Serie A, with 21 goals in 31 league appearances. A four-time winner of the Premier League, with two La Liga titles and a Serie A scudetto to his name, you have to look hard to find something the star man hasn’t won – as a team and an individual. There’s no doubt that Ronaldo will be hungry for more this campaign and will aim to score more goals to fire Juve to the top.
#2 They’ve bolstered their defence
Okay, so Juve may have sold right back, João Cancelo to English Premier League champions, Manchester City – but they have replaced him (in a swap, receiving Danilo), as well as signing a number of other defenders. The highlight undoubtedly has to be Matthijs de Ligt signing from Ajax for an estimated £77m. The colossus at the back set last season’s Champions League alight, with a number of good performances and three goals (one of which was the winning goal against Juventus in the quarter-finals). With a number of clubs after his signature, the 20-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Old Lady and we will just have to see if he can make the step-up from Eredivisie to Serie A.
#3 They have the resources to adapt to ‘Sarri-Ball’
Juventus are blessed with attacking options, not only in terms of forwards, but defenders who could double-up as wingers and plenty of attacking midfielders who get forward and more importantly, score goals. When Maurizio Sarri was in charge of Napoli, his tactics proved successful and in the 2017-18 season, Gli Azzurri finished just four points behind champions, Juventus. While his methods weren’t as successful in England, at Chelsea, as we have mentioned, Juve have the tools to make his style of play a success. The likes of Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa are quick and enjoy playing one-touch football. In midfield, Miralem Pjanić and new signing, Aaron Ramsey are adept possession players. Finally, in defence, Leonardo Bonucci is definitely the ideal ‘Sarri-Ball’ player, due to his ball-playing ability.
#4 The competition just isn’t there
If you look back at all eight of Juventus’ titles, you’ll notice a recurring theme – the points difference between first and second isn’t exactly close. Not like in the Premier League, where we’ve seen titles won on the final day, or La Liga, which is toughly-contested between the ‘big three’. Their most recent Scudetto was won by 11 points, with Napoli finishing runners-up. The smallest points difference has been four (2017-18, 2016-17 and 2011-12), while the greatest has been 17 (2014-15 and 2013-14). The very fact that Juventus have won 30% of the titles says all you need to know. Serie A simply isn’t competitive – and we can’t see anyone overthrowing Juve this season either.
