"Those who say my team played badly obviously saw a different game," roared Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara after the 2-0 defeat to Cagliari yesterday afternoon.
Indeed, Ciro. We have seen many such games: Bordeaux, Palermo, Bologna, Napoli, even the win against Udinese at home. I have sympathy for Ferrara, but this Juve is a mess and the head of the ship is sending out the impression that he does not know where he is steering.
"Ciro is a newly born coach," noted the legendary Gigi Riva before the Cagliari game.
Well, now that he is born, he must grow up fast.
How much does a coach count? Some say five per cent, others 20 per cent, a few even go as far as 50 per cent. It's one of those questions that has no answer in football. Like many other things in life, it's all relative.
How much does a coach count in a top level side that is going through a refoundation process? A team that is practically starting from zero with a fairly new president. A sporting director who was recently promoted to the role and a new structure that has yet to be defined? Fundamental. Never in the past have Juve needed a Fabio Capello or a Jose Mourinho as much as they do now.
"No-one can ask me to win and I will be in peace with myself until I continue to work as I have been. I give my all for this team and club. When I leave I will do so leaving behind a better situation compared to the one I found here, securing my future."
These were Jose Mourinho's words on Sunday afternoon from the San Siro stomach. The Portuguese coach works for Inter, and not specifically for their first team. His experience is reflected in the youth sector, his organisation at Appiano Gentile, on the training pitches, his group management, his modules, or even a simple substitution. Juve need this type of coach in Turin. A Guus Hiddink, an Arsene Wenger, a Rafa Benitez just to name a few. Even Luciano Spalletti. Unfortunately there is no chance of a new coach for the Bianconeri.
"The good coach is the one that isn't seen." This is another slogan that has been suggested in the past.
But the coach's hand must be seen, especially in times of hardship. The perfect coach is the one who creates the machine and drives it with knowledge and once he feels it belongs to him, he turns on cruise control. However, when the ship slips up, the coach must be ready to retake control quickly and steer it back on track.
Barcelona-Inter, the game of their lives for the Catalans: Pep Guardiola kept Leo Messi on the bench, ready to play him if required. There was no requirement. Barcelona-Real Madrid. No-way through for Barca, but the coach introduced Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he scored. Sergio Busquests was sent off, but Guardiola didn't panic. He took off Seydou Keita and brought on Yaya Toure. He pulled Andres Iniesta back and consolodated Xavi in the middle to keep the play ticking. Real had a man extra and needed to recover. What did Manuel Pellegrini do? He substituted Cristiano Ronaldo.
We could also speak about Genoa boss Gian Piero Gasperini who left out Hernan Crespo and Sergio Floccari in the Derby della Lanterna. With Giuseppe Sculli as the frontman and Rodrigo Palacio and Raffaele Palladino on the wings Samp were torn apart. Or even Mourinho who sent Mario Balotelli to the stands to reintroduce an improved Ricardo Quaresma. Even Leonardo who sent in Klaas Jan Huntelaar in the last few minutes of the game against Catania. He rescued Milan with two late goals to surge past Juventus in the standings.
Let's give Leonardo some advice, though. He must not abuse dressing room democracy. Otherwise Milan will end up like Juve...no-one knows who's in charge.
Reviewed by Unknown
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3:42 PM
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