A scathing assessment from The Times has painted a bleak picture of Juventus, likening the club to Manchester United – another fallen giant of world football. Once synonymous with dominance, Juventus are now described as a “noble but fading power”, struggling to recapture their former glory both domestically and in Europe.
From Supremacy to Struggle
The British newspaper highlighted the symbolic nature of Juventus’s recent defeat to Como – their first loss to the Lombardy side since 1952. Como, who spent decades outside Serie A and were in Serie D as recently as 2019, now find themselves above the Bianconeri in the league table on goal difference. It’s a striking image of how far Juventus have fallen from the elite status they once commanded.
The statistics speak for themselves. Juventus have not won a match since mid-September, with a run of five consecutive draws before the Como loss. Last season, they drew 16 matches in Serie A – a sign of stagnation for a club whose standards were once measured in titles, not in mere survival or mediocrity.
A Fading Dominance
It has been five years since Juventus lifted their last Serie A trophy, the ninth in a historic run of consecutive titles. Even more tellingly, six years have passed since they last advanced beyond the Champions League knockout stages. In that time, the club has seen five different managers take the helm, with Igor Tudor now facing mounting pressure to turn things around.
Appointed last March to replace the sacked Thiago Motta, Tudor has struggled to deliver convincing performances. His record so far has fallen short of expectations, and comparisons with his predecessor’s early results have not been flattering.
The coming week offers no respite. Juventus are set to face Real Madrid on Wednesday, still searching for their first European win of the season, before travelling to Rome for a crucial Serie A clash against Lazio at the weekend.
A Shadow of Their Former Selves
The Times drew parallels between Juventus and Manchester United, suggesting that both clubs have become “heavyweights in name only”. Each has endured frequent managerial changes, inconsistent results, and diminishing returns since their respective golden eras.
For Juventus, the only silverware in recent years has been two Coppa Italia triumphs, in 2021 and 2024 – a modest return for a team that once defined success in Italian football.
What was once an empire built on discipline, ambition, and relentless success now faces an uncomfortable reality. Juventus, like United, remain powerful brands with illustrious histories – but on the pitch, they are struggling to prove that the era of dominance is not truly over.
