Roberto Mancini Assesses Juventus Will Have Difficulty Maintaining the Scudetto This Season

The coach of the Italian national team, Roberto Mancini, assesses that Juventus will experience difficulties in fighting for the Scudetto in the 2020-2021 season.

Mancini assessed that Andrea Pirlo’s children will get resistance from Inter Milan, Napoli, AC Milan, AS Roma and Atalanta. Although Mancini sees the Bianconeri as having the most complete squad in quality compared to their challengers.

“I think about Inter, Napoli, Milan, Lazio, Rome, but also Atalanta, who can confirm their status among the top teams,” Mancini said as quoted by Italian football, Tuesday (29/9).

Juventus have won nine consecutive Scudetto titles. However, many doubt Juventus can win it again under Andrea Pirlo, especially when other teams are building their strength.

Pirlo did get praise for winning his first win in the first Serie A match against Samdoria. But he was the target of criticism when Juventus drew 2-2 against AS Roma. But this situation, according to Mancini, will not make Pirlo afraid.

Pirlo, said Mancini, has experience in football so he knows what to do. Mancini also commented on the thousand spectators who have been allowed into the stadium and plans to open up to 25 percent capacity for fans next month.

“Football belongs to the people. Athletes may be accustomed to doing it without the support of the audience, but it’s not the same in an empty arena without anyone entertaining,” he concluded.

Italian clubs are experiencing a financial crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They have lost a lot of income while they have to keep paying players. Therefore, said Mancini, it was time to reopen the stadium because the virus was under control.