Juventus manager Antonio Conte returns to the touchline after a three and a half month ban on December 9th when his side travels to Palermo. In that time, the Bianconeri has climbed to top of the Serie A with 35 points and are a point away from qualification to the first knockout round of the Champions League. However, the players did sorely miss their gaffer and will be thrilled to see him back at the helm.
Juve entered the season with a 39 game undefeated streak and managed to increase that to 49 before losing 3-1 at home to Inter last month. Juventus could’ve put the match to bed had they finished their chances in the first half and if they didn’t get complacent in the second interval. If Conte was in the changing room after 45 minutes, there’s no way that his side would’ve dropped their guard. In fact, they might’ve confidently won.
Two weeks later, Juve hosted Lazio which ended 0-0. It was again another encounter that the Italian champions controlled, but none of their 21 attempts beat Biancocelesti goalkeeper Federico Marchetti. “The Conte Effect”, as Juventini like to call it, could’ve altered the result. Lastly, there was the 1-0 loss at AC Milan where they looked dull and listless. Add eight more possible points from those three match-ups and Juventus has a ten point lead at the top.
The Champions League was where Conte’s presence was missed the most. It wasn’t the matches against Chelsea or Shakhtar where Juventus could’ve benefited from Conte’s team talks and touchline instructions, it was the Nordsjaelland game in Copenhagen.
Led by Conte’s assistant Angelo Alessio, the Scudetto holders came up short in a 1-1 draw, rescuing the tilt with a late Mirko Vucinic strike. The starting lineup screamed complacency and lack of drive for the visitors, but had the main bench boss been there, Juve’s quiet strike force could’ve garnered some motivation and with a couple of intelligent substitutions, they may have earned at least two goals.
Antonio Conte’s absence wasn’t significant until Alessio took over the first team duties for Massimo Carrera. The AC Milan and Inter defeats were two instances of the manager lacking the grit that Conte possesses. In previous derbies against the Milanese clubs, Conte oozed passion, something that Alessio doesn’t have. He’s a fantastic assistant, but not a good leader for this reason. This is why the squad has played differently under Alessio than under Carrera, the latter has more of Conte’s qualities.
In Juventus’ Champions League opener at Chelsea, he was constantly yelling instructions and made clever substitutions whereas his replacement stays calm when relaying messages and has made changes that confuses fans. While it’s good in some cases for the manager to remain level headed, emotion is necessary in certain situations, like the lifeless performance at AC Milan. If Alessio was more fiery, Fabio Quagliarella might not have had the bravery to utter whatever he said to his coach when substituted that got him fined. He wouldn’t have been outspoken if his general was there.
Antonio Conte’s return will be vital for Juventus. Expect a more dangerous, motivated team starting December 9th. Playmaker Andrea Pirlo reiterated the importance of his manager in an interview with Tuttosport, reminding everyone of one of the main reasons why the Bianconeri returned to glory and why teams across Europe should start fearing Juve.
“We miss Conte a lot, especially at halftime. He has the right words for everyone and can change the outcome of a game with his tactical adjustments.”
Follow Peter Galindo on Twitter: @pgalindo16
