Juventus face their biggest identity test against Real Madrid | OneFootball

Juventus approach the crucial stage of the Club World Cup against Real Madrid facing not only an uphill challenge on the pitch, but also searching for answers to deeper questions about their identity and expectations. According to Tutto Juve, there is a prevailing sense of realism around the club’s current status compared to the European elite, with coach Igor Tudor and former figures like Fabio Capello, as well as ex-players and analysts, all weighing in on the gap between the Juventus of the past and the present.

Tudor, speaking to Gazzetta, focused on team spirit and the need for belief despite the magnitude of the upcoming task. “We need a strategy to try and beat a team that is stronger than us right now,” Tudor stressed, highlighting Real’s organisation and humility, and expressing regret over the injury that sidelines Savona. The coach saw the match as “like a final,” insisting, “we must try to win it in every way. Optimism is part of how I live football.” Tudor emphasised physical effort and work ethic, encouraging his squad to “run more than them” and to exploit the few weaknesses in the Spanish side’s structure.

Yet, there is a growing external debate about the quality and construction of Juventus’ squad. Antonio Di Gennaro questioned the current roster, reflecting on the absence of the “phenomena” who once distinguished Juve from their rivals. He pointed out Bremer as a defender of the necessary level but asked, “then who else is there?” and described recent signings like Kalulu as “normal” rather than exceptional. Di Gennaro’s criticisms pointed to a time when Juventus could reliably attract continental stars, an era that now seems past.

Massimo Pavan echoed these concerns, particularly highlighting the financial disparities hindering Juve’s ability to compete at the highest level. He noted, “the gap with Real Madrid is abysmal, as it was with City. It didn’t used to be this way; the difference is mainly in the market.” Pavan referenced Real’s €200 million in summer spending versus Juve’s lack of major outlays, and lamented that recent investments in Turin have failed to significantly strengthen the side.

Fabio Capello has also called for a response after heavy defeat to Manchester City, urging a Juventus “different from the one that lost to City.” He identified defensive problems that predate that match and questioned the club’s handling of the Huijsen situation, stressing the lost potential of the young defender now at Madrid. Capello did, however, point to promising talents like Yildiz—viewed as a “player of Real Madrid quality” who “Juve are right to keep close”—and underscored the need for both physical and mental resilience in these high-pressure showdowns.

As Juventus prepare for Real Madrid, their challenges are laid bare: a squad in transition, financial limitations, and a need for clarity about what Juventus should represent moving forward. The fixture is both a daunting obstacle and an opportunity to redefine expectations—with belief, hard work, and by making the most of limited resources.

(Sources: Tutto Juve, Bianconera News)

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