Juventus’ dressing room is probably not the place you’d feel at ease these days. Their terrible form suggests that there are deep-rooted problems within the squad – and inside the players’ heads. To help his team cope with immense pressure, boss Massimiliano Allegri recruited a psychologist to talk to the players and ensure they return to the right state of mind.Before starting this week’s training Allegri brought in professor Giuseppe Vercelli, their team psychologist, to speak some more to each player. The same psychologist was on the sidelines on the eve of the Champions League victory over Chelsea last month and his presence is welcome for the superstitious Allegri.Giuseppe Vercelli e il segreto del’illusionista: no more problem #pilastrileadership pic.twitter.com/NAOhjp1C5J— MarcoBertola (@MarcoBertola) October 3, 2015 Vercelli is considering how to rebuild Juventus stars after back-to-back defeats but he is an expert in the psychology of performance and will try to focus above all on the heads of the top players who came out battered from Verona.But the entire team is afraid, full of nerves and seems to suffer from constant worry during games. The whole environment is frustrated and concerned that their participation in next season’s Champions League is at risk.Tuesday, 23.00: (1.60) Juventus (4.00) Zenit (6.50)It is not the first time that the Juve coach relies on the support of the psychologist. Vercelli’s role has often been decisive in the past as well, in Allegri’s first five-year stint in the club’s dugout. Vercelli has been in charge of the entire Juventus psychological area since 2011 so he knows exactly what the players are like.Juve and United are playing tennis – and Paul Pogba is the ballAllegri’s outfit has taken just 15 points from 11 league matches and the manager will be hoping Vercelli can help to turn the tide.
