This is the first and quite probably the last time you’ll see a league table at the piece’s beginning at Mozzart Sport Kenya. And there’s a good reason for that – it’s one of those non-written journalistic commandments.But we’ll have to make an exception this time because the essential ingredient for this story is that disturbing moment of seeing Juve at the bottom of the Serie A table.It’s awkward, unprecedented and utterly attached to Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Turin. They were convinced, both fans and the club’s boardroom, that his exit won’t hurt the team, but guess what? They were as wrong as it gets.CR7 celebrates his last goal for Juve with his teammates, on August 22 (©Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)An embarrassing sum of only two points after the first four rounds is the worst opening for the Turin Old Lady in the last 60 years. The 18th place, they share with Cagliari, is not something their supporters are used to see. Especially when they gaze through the table and see the top of it packed with their biggest rivals like Inter, Milan, Roma and Napoli.Ok, sure, CR7 was not the happiest man on Earth while in Italy, but still, he pulled off many incredible achievements, including two championship titles and a top-scorer award.Cristiano touches the Coppa Italia trophy (©REUTERS/Alberto Lingria)However, some analysts were suggesting that Ronaldo-oriented tactics ‘suffocated’ many of his teammates, including Paulo Dybala. Cristiano was, apparently, making them worse players instead of pumping their potential to expected heights.Was it really like that? Those hotshots would probably know better than us, but you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to conclude Juventus are literally deteriorating ever since he said goodbye.##EDITORS_CHOICE##The likes of Bonucci, De Ligt, Cuadrado, Rabiot, Ramsey, Moise Kean or Morata sought respect and are not mediocre by any means, but the old truth is that names are not the ones to play a football game – it’s the team that counts. A complicated mixture of playing qualities, man-management, atmosphere, hard work, dedication, determination and, finally, that tiny bit of luck that comes like a cherry on top of the cake.Ancelotti’s view on a much-different Serie A then when he was there lastSo far, Juve are lacking (at least) four of those necessary ingredients at the moment.Though his surname refers to happiness, the Juve coach Massimo Allegri is anything but happy with the contemporary situation. He lost his assistant on the pitch, a true gem despite Cristiano’s age and now has to come up with a totally different strategic trick to revive the squad.(4.20) UDINESE (3.60) NAPOLI (1.95)What’s even more ironic is the fact Bianconeri didn’t lose to their archrivals AC Milan last night, but with the Spezia away tie fast approaching, the maiden victory seems like a must-do assignment.You’re probably familiar with the fact Juve has the most significant fanbase in Italy, so it must be frustrating for those millions to witness the in-vivo destruction of their beloved outfit.And it would be such revelation to find that particular fan, who came to the first game following Ronaldo’s departure with a banner saying ‘Who needs Ronaldo?’, and aks him if he maybe changed his mind in the meantime.A Juventus fan holding a sign which says “Who needs Ronaldo?” after Ronaldo left the club.Juventus are currently 15th in Serie A with one point from three games. pic.twitter.com/v4qPmLUWLa— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) September 12, 2021 Well, mate, you obviously need him. Desperately.By: Bojan Babic
