5 Biggest Fixtures for Juventus in Serie A 2022-23
Juventus, who were ruling the Serie A at the time, are now struggling to get their hands on the prestigious Scudetto. The downfall of the almighty Bianconeri has caused a significant rise in the competition for the title race as the last two seasons were conquered by legacy clubs of Milan. After the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Turin-based club shifted their focus to European competitions but it seems like heading back to domestic glory is their need of the hour.
The departure of Paulo Dybala and Georgio Chiellini who were the pillars of the roster has created an urge among new faces to fill their big shoes. Despite a forgettable season, they somehow managed to retain themselves in the Champions League by finishing in the fourth position with 70 points. The previous season was the Old Lady’s first trophyless campaign in Italian top-flight football since 2010-11.
Massimiliano Allegri came back to Juventus in the 2021-22 season for his second stint with the club but is yet to replicate the legacy of his previous spell. The Italian manager who won five straight Scudetto with the Bianconeri in his earlier stint took charge after the departure of Andrea Pirlo. Allegri has the responsibility of rebuilding the Juventus side which is going through a huge structural crisis although the gaffer is capable enough to do it.
#5 Fiorentina vs Juventus – 3rd September
Viola then, Bianconeri now
A pure rivalry between two clubs who are not geographical or legacy rivals but the enmity has developed due to the footballing differences between them. There have been numerous heated controversial moments between the players of both sides whenever they take the same field. The enmity for Juventus among the Fiorentina supporters is so virile that they often call the former Violets traitors when they move to the Turin-based club.
In April 2022, Juventus knocked out the Florence-based club from the semifinal round of the Coppa Italia competition on a 3-0 aggregate score across two legs. Although the Viola side had the last laugh when faced Juve in the last fixture of the Serie A 2021-22 season and registered a 2-0 victory at Stadio Artemio Franchi. The former Florence sensations Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic are now part of the Juventus roster and will take the charge of their attacking line against their former side in front of the Purple attendance on the 3rd of September.
#3 Napoli vs Juventus – 15th January
Juventus has a longevous regional rivalry with Napoli as the two cities are major economic hubs of the northern and southern parts of the country. Ever since the rise of Napoli in the 1980s, Gli Azzurri has given tough times to the Old Lady year in, year out. In the last 10 years, Napoli had to be satisfied with the runners-up position four times when Juventus won the Serie A.
The previous season was the first time since 2010-11 when the Naples-based club finished their Serie A campaign above the White and Blacks in the standings. The Parthenopeans was another elite Italian side against whom Juventus remained winless in the previous season and will be having tough times facing them this season too. In the first fixture of the 2021-22 campaign between them, Napoli registered an emphatic victory over the Bianconeri after a late winner from Kalidou Koulibaly which sealed the deal for the Blues by 2-1.
#3 Juventus vs Inter – 6th November
Internazionale was the club that broke Juventus’ triumph-chariot of conquesting the Scudetto honour for straight nine seasons when they lifted the 2020-21 Serie A trophy. The Nerazzurri side shares a historic rivalry with the Turin-based club and it is also termed Derby d’Italia which means a clash between the two most successful clubs in Italian football.
There have been many influential figures in Italian top-flight football who switched between these two clubs the most recent could be the former Juve midfielder Paulo Dybala who is now a free agent and is heavily linked with Inter.
They squared off each other four times across three Italian competitions in the previous season where Juventus couldn’t even register a single win while Inter made it through thrice. Inter conquered two cup tournaments (Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia) and coincidentally they claimed the honours by defeating Juventus on both occasions. The most recent face-off between these two combatants was the Grand Finale of 2021-22 Coppa Italia where Internazionale emerged victorious by 4-2 in a high-scoring contest.
#2 Torino vs Juventus – 16th October
‘Derby Della Mole’ between the two biggest clubs located in Turin city is considered one of the fiercest rivalries in Italian football. The head-to-head record may heavily favour the Juve side but the hype of this battle among Turin fans always tops the chart whenever they are bound to take on each other. A 2-1 triumph of the Maroon Bulls in the 2014-15 season is their only victory over Juventus since 1995 while the Old Lady is also cruising on a 16-match undefeated streak against the city-rivals.
In their previous face-off, Torino held the counterparts on a 1-1 settlement at Allianz Stadium to give a reality check to the city rivals who were considered invincible in Derby Della Mole. Although Torino is gradually getting back to prominence and especially after the arrival of Croatian gaffer Ivan Juric who is capable enough to take the club in a positive direction. Not just this game but a returning fixture at Allianz Stadium will be also very interesting as the Maroons’ last away victory came back in 1995.
#1 AC Milan vs Juventus – 9th October
The battle of Italian supremacy
The reigning champions of Italy, AC Milan will leave no stone unturned to defend their Scudetto from the invaders around the league. The two of the biggest clubs of Italy’s northwestern region have been battling hard since the year 1901 hence it is also often referred to as the oldest rivalry in the country’s top-flight football. Before joining the Bianconeri camp, Massimiliano Allegri spent four seasons at AC Milan as a head coach and also guided them to the glory of 2010-11 Serie A in his very first season in charge.
Juventus has only a single victory over the Rossoneri side from their past seven meetings and interestingly, this dreaded run came right after their winning streak of nine straight fixtures in this rivalry. They faced each other on two occasions during the previous season and both encounters ended with resultless conclusions. The White and Blacks will be travelling to the historic venue of Milan’s San Siro to face the Italian Red Devils on 9th October.