La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the Juventus dressing room is experiencing a significant shift in dynamics, with the absence of established leaders creating a fragmented environment. This situation has emerged as the club undergoes a transition phase under new coach Thiago Motta, who has taken a rather cold and invasive approach to reshaping team dynamics.
Previously, the Juventus locker room was dominated by foreign leaders such as Danilo, Szczesny, and Rabiot. However, the current squad lacks a clear authoritative figure to guide the team through challenging times. This leadership vacuum has resulted in the formation of smaller groups within the team, often based on nationality or language.
Three main factions have emerged:
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The Italian contingent: This group is rapidly taking shape, with players like Gatti, Locatelli, and Cambiaso stepping up to assume more responsibility. Their growing influence is evident in how key players like Vlahovic have aligned with them to present a united front during difficult periods.
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The French-speaking group: A small French colony has naturally formed, including players like Weah. While not in opposition to the Italian group, they tend to spend their communal time differently.
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The youth brigade: Younger players, many of whom have come through the Next Gen system together, form another distinct group.
New arrivals like Koopmeiners and Nico Gonzalez are still finding their place within this fragmented structure.
The lack of a seasoned core group to welcome and ease new signings into the team has been particularly problematic for recent high-profile arrivals. This absence of experienced guidance has contributed to the team’s struggles in high-pressure situations and their inability to maintain consistent results, especially against smaller teams.
While there are no reported conflicts within the squad, the lack of a unified leadership group capable of guiding the entire team is creating suboptimal conditions. Coach Thiago Motta bears some responsibility for this situation, as his approach has not facilitated the quick establishment of new hierarchies following the destabilization of the previous group dynamic.
