On the eve of Juventus vs Roma at the Allianz Stadium, Zbigniew Boniek, who famously played for both clubs, spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the form of the two teams, the title race, and his enduring relationship with the Bianconeri.
“Gasperini is doing an extraordinary job, almost surprising in some ways,” Boniek said. “At the start of the season, I don’t think many people expected Roma to start this well. Gasperini is tough, honest, and makes everyone work the same way. He doesn’t hide behind masks or excuses. On the other hand, Spalletti has only recently taken charge at Juventus, but it looks like he’s already giving them direction. He’s a very ambitious coach, but even though this is Juventus, I don’t see true world-class players in the squad. The only one who could become that is Yildiz — he seems destined for a bright future. Just look at how he touches the ball, how he caresses it.”
Beyond the Top Four?
Boniek also shared his view on how far both sides can go this season. “Dreaming is never forbidden – and it doesn’t cost anything,” he remarked. “Especially in Rome, where miracles seem to happen every thirty years. But we also have to be realistic. The other teams – Napoli, Milan, and Inter – look better equipped. For Roma, winning the Scudetto would be a miracle. Juventus have strong players, but not champions. The key thing, though, is to fight. You might finish second or third, or even fourth, which still means playing in the Champions League. In general, you shouldn’t leave anything behind. These big clubs have three competitions to focus on, and they must aim to do well in all of them.”
A Lasting Bond with Juventus
Nicknamed “The Beauty of the Night” during his playing days in Turin, Boniek reflected on his special connection with Juventus. “There are many things that still tie me to the club – the memories and the victories, above all,” he said. “I only regret that some people in Turin still see me as an enemy. The star that was removed? I’ve said it many times. In those three years, I gave everything I could to Juventus and I believe I left something meaningful behind. Most importantly, I have never said anything offensive about the Bianconeri.”
Dybala and Soulé
Boniek also commented on Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, two key figures who will meet their former club in the match. “Soulé is becoming fundamental, though he still needs to expand his range of plays. But he’s got a brilliant left foot,” he noted. “Dybala’s quality is beyond question, but it always depends on his fitness. The surprising thing is that Roma are just three points from the top despite rarely being able to count on their best player. Can they play together? Of course. Great players can always coexist. But to have them both, you also need to take care of the defensive phase — everyone has to contribute there.”
A Crucial Clash?
Finally, Boniek analysed the upcoming showdown in Turin. “It’s still early; we’re not even at the halfway point of the season,” he warned. “Of course, Juventus need to win to get back into contention and avoid falling behind. Since Spalletti arrived, you can see they’re working better, especially in terms of focus and application. However, since the start of the season, I still haven’t seen Juventus play really well, even though the Bianconeri are always a tough side to face.”
