When a legendary figure like Antonio Di Natale speaks, the Italian football world listens. Known for his prolific scoring and unwavering loyalty at Udinese, Di Natale`s recent comments have cast a stark shadow over Juventus` 2025-26 Scudetto ambitions. His analysis, delivered with the characteristic bluntness of a seasoned Serie A veteran, suggests that despite individual talent like Dusan Vlahovic, the Bianconeri are simply “not ready” to contend for the coveted title.
The Vlahovic Verdict: A Reliable Striker, But Not a Scudetto Catalyst?
Di Natale’s stance on Juventus’ star striker, Dusan Vlahovic, is nuanced yet clear. He unequivocally endorses Vlahovic as the club’s default centre-forward, dispelling any doubts about his place in the starting XI. “Vlahovic, without a doubt,” Di Natale stated, commending his consistent performance since joining Juventus, including reaching double figures in goals every year. This is high praise for a forward often under immense pressure.
However, the former Udinese captain also offered a dose of reality: “He will never score 30 goals a season, but he’s still a great player, someone who makes the difference in Serie A.” This statement, while acknowledging Vlahovic`s quality, inadvertently highlights a critical point for a team with title aspirations. In an era where top contenders often rely on a truly prolific scorer to push them over the finish line, Juventus might be asking if “great” is enough to reclaim the Scudetto. It implies that Vlahovic, while excellent, might not be the solitary, game-changing phenomenon capable of carrying a team to the pinnacle.
Juventus` Conundrum: A Team Lacking Hierarchy and Form
Di Natale didn`t mince words when describing Juventus` broader issues, particularly in attack. He pointed to a “lack of hierarchy” as a significant problem. This isn`t just about who plays where, but about clear leadership, established roles, and perhaps a cohesive attacking philosophy that seems to be missing. Integrating new talent from different leagues, like David and Openda, naturally takes time, but the underlying issue, according to Di Natale, runs deeper than mere adaptation.
The Bianconeri’s recent form certainly supports this assessment. Five consecutive draws across Serie A and the Champions League before the October international break painted a picture of a team struggling to convert potential into points. While drawing against strong European opponents like Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal is “not to be sniffed at,” as Di Natale noted, a club of Juventus` stature is expected to win such matches, particularly at home, if they truly harbor title ambitions. One might ask if these “respectable” draws are a sign of resilience or merely an inability to close out games, a psychological hurdle that plagues champions-in-waiting.
“Obviously the criticism is now about psychology: If you’re Juve and draw five games in a row, it’s a problem. But Tudor will recover, I’m sure.”
Indeed, the psychological aspect looms large. For a club synonymous with winning, a string of draws inevitably erodes confidence and intensifies scrutiny, both internally and from the passionate fanbase.
The Scudetto Landscape: Juventus Out of the Picture?
Perhaps the most damning part of Di Natale`s analysis is his explicit exclusion of Juventus from the 2025-26 Scudetto race. He identifies a quartet of teams he believes are genuinely in contention:
- Napoli: A team that has captivated with its flair and tactical prowess.
- Milan: Always a formidable presence, with a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned talent.
- Inter: Often seen as the strongest contender, boasting depth and tactical consistency.
- Gasperini’s Roma: An intriguing outsider, benefiting from a manager known for extracting maximum performance from his squads.
For Juventus, this means a likely focus on securing a Champions League spot, which Di Natale believes they “have the means to qualify for.” While a top-four finish is crucial, it’s a stark reflection of how far the club has seemingly fallen from its dominant era when Scudetto challenges were a minimum expectation.
Igor Tudor`s Baptism of Fire
Head coach Igor Tudor finds himself in a precarious position. The fact that his Serie A record matches his predecessor Thiago Motta`s at the same point last year is not a statistic that inspires confidence. Di Natale expresses belief in Tudor’s ability to “recover,” but this vote of confidence comes amidst palpable pressure. The coaching carousel at Juventus in recent years suggests that recovery needs to be swift and decisive to appease both the hierarchy and the impatient Bianconeri faithful.
A Broader View: The Evolving Quality of Serie A
Beyond Juventus, Di Natale offered a broader, somewhat melancholic, assessment of Italian football. “I’m still in love with football, I’m passionate about watching it, even if it’s no longer the same as what it was in my time. There isn’t as much quality in Italy,” he lamented. This sentiment from a player who graced Serie A with such distinction adds another layer to his critique. If the overall quality of the league has declined, yet Juventus still struggles to dominate, it underscores the systemic issues the club faces in re-establishing its former glory.
The Road Ahead for the Bianconeri
Antonio Di Natale`s insights serve as a reality check for Juventus. While individual talents like Dusan Vlahovic are commendable, a collective lack of “hierarchy” and an inability to consistently secure wins are significant impediments to a title charge. The road to the Scudetto is paved with fierce competition, and according to a man who knows Italian football inside out, Juventus is, for now, watching that race from the sidelines. The challenge for Igor Tudor and his squad will be to defy this veteran`s assessment and prove that their ambitions extend far beyond merely qualifying for Europe.
