Legendary former Juventus goalkeeper and ex-Lazio coach Dino Zoff has offered a frank assessment of the current Juventus side in an interview with Tuttosport, just days before the crucial Lazio-Juventus showdown.
Speaking about the mentality required for such a decisive match, Zoff warned, “You must never go onto the pitch thinking a draw is enough: you always have to play to win, without worrying about the next fixtures. I expect a hard-fought match: whoever wins lays the foundation for Champions League qualification.”
Turning his attention to Juventus’ struggles this season, Zoff did not mince words. “It’s a team that still doesn’t have an identity: they’ve changed a lot, but honestly I expected a different kind of season. They have shown too many difficulties in recent months.”
On Lazio’s new coach, Zoff noted, “Results and the final objective are what count, but there has definitely been a spark.”
Discussing Dusan Vlahovic’s importance for the run-in, Zoff said, “I don’t know what his physical condition is, but I consider him an excellent player. In the end, he’s always reached double figures despite several problems and setbacks. His recovery would be important in this final stretch.”
Zoff also highlighted the promise of Marcus Thuram, stating, “He is one of the bright spots for Juventus. He’s one of the players the Bianconeri must focus on for the future, building a great team around the Frenchman.”
When asked about Antonio Conte’s impact, Zoff was full of praise: “Antonio is making a tremendous contribution. Only he could achieve something like this, even without having the strongest squad in the league and while holding off a great team like Inter.”
On Roberto Mancini’s future, Zoff commented, “He’s an experienced coach who has won both in Italy and abroad. He’s a guarantee. I feel he wants to return: wherever he goes, he can certainly do well.”
