We continue our interview with Rav Gopal, from JuveFC.com and discuss in detail his favorite Juventus players from the current squad as well as his expectations for this season and some of his favorite moments as a Juve fan.
Q1) For the current Juve squad, can you please rank your favorite player by position?
Defense: Giorgio Chiellini. He is an extremely underrated defender who has rolled back the years in recent seasons to deliver consistent performances. Like Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon, he has remained loyal to the club and he is one of the best in Europe in his position.
Midfield: Miralem Pjanic. He had a very promising start to his Juventus career, playing a key part in the new formation last season, providing assists and goals as we lifted the title for the 6th year in a row. This season, with Blaise Matuidi next to him, he seems to be playing with more freedom and the results are there to see. His 5 assists so far do not really do justice to how fundamental he is to the midfield. Everything is starting to revolve around him.
Attack: Paulo Dybala. He has grown tremendously over the space of two seasons, playing across the attack and delivering goals consistently. The new position took a while for him to adjust to, but he never shied away from the challenge. He took the #10 shirt in the summer and has hit the ground running this season in that role, scoring 2 hat-tricks and showing no sign of stopping. A real talent.
Q2) What is Juve’s objective for this season? Is it Serie A, the Champions League, or both?
Allegri said that a 7th consecutive Scudetto is the priority. A treble would be nice, but unrealistic.
Q3) Where do you see Juve’s weaknesses? Some say it is the right-back position while others mention the midfield, and some refer to lack of alternatives to Higuain?
My only concern is at the back where the team has looked fragile at times due to an aging back-line. It would be nice to see Daniele Rugani starting in the big European games. The lack of a world class right-back is a worry but Juve is managing for now. I think the midfield will improve due to having Pjanic, Matuidi as well as Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio. Add to that Rodrigo Bentancur is a promising player. In attack, Juve can alternate between Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain as seen in recent matches.
Q4) Now onto a question many would like to hear your answer to: Would you pick Roberto Baggio or Alex Del Piero for your Team?
Del Piero – He had so much potential as a youngster and I think he could have been an even better player if it were not for all the injuries he sustained over the years. Baggio was immense but Del Piero was at Juve for longer and the love affair that Juve fans have with him goes beyond the pitch.
Q5) What is the most important Juve victory in your lifetime?
The victory 2-0 over Udinese in 2002. After trailing the league leaders for much of the season, we closed the gap and won on the last day of the season to pip Inter to the league title. It was a remarkable game and a spectacular end to a topsy-turvy season. On a personal note, the victory gave birth to the website Juvefc.com which I’ve run ever since then so it has an added sentimental value to me.
Q6) What is your favorite Juve match?
The victory over Real Madrid in 2003! We were trailing from the first leg in Madrid and I remember very few people thought we had a chance against the Galácticos. Everything about that match highlighted what was so distinctively brilliant about Juve that season. Del Piero and David Trezeguet both scored and played a perfect game while Pavel Nedved, the heartbeat of the side, sealed the victory with one of my favorite goals scored by a Juve player. The defending was compact and resolute, and the great Buffon saved a penalty from Luis Figo… It was a magical night and there was a feeling that we could go on and lift the trophy that season as we were almost unstoppable.
It was a pleasure having Rav share his vast knowledge about Juve with us. How about you? How much do you know about Juve and do you think you can compete against some of the best Serie A fantasy football managers? Find out here: www.fantasyseriea.com and check the mobile App now available here:
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