Can Pirlo keep Juve’s run going?
For a club so perpetually well prepared, Juventus’ appointment of Andrea Pirlo was a profound shock to the football world. Not only were Italy’s dominant club putting all their faith in a novice – albeit one with an impeccable name – but given that they’d appointed their former midfielder as under-23 team coach nine days before, it was clearly not part of a grand plan.
It gave the impression that, burned by the Maurizio Sarri era running aground, Juve might be trying to buy themselves some time ahead of a few galactic coaching names potentially appearing on the market next summer. With the club’s sleek trajectory jolting since it’s moved to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s timeline – through no fault of the Portugal captain, it must be said – maybe the time is right for a changing of the guard.
Inter are undoubtedly the best placed. The market does believe Antonio Conte‘s men have closed the gap and so, perhaps, does the former Chelsea boss himself, having settled his differences with the club as he scents another Scudetto. With a formidable squad enhanced by the arrivals of Achraf Hakimi and Aleksandar Kolarov already, the Nerazzurri could be on to prevent Juve making it ten in a row.
Back Inter to win Serie A at [2.92]
Tuchel surprisingly under pressure
There were many remarkable aspects of Paris Saint-Germain‘s loss to Marseille last weekend. It meant defeats in the opening two games of the season for the first time since 1984, and first defeat of any sort to Marseille since November 2011. The end-of-match fracas which spawned five red cards perhaps overshadowed these pertinent facts.
Furthermore, it meant little was made of sporting director Leonardo’s words that Thomas Tuchel was safe “for now.” For now? Barely a month after reaching a first-ever Champions League final and amidst a coronavirus outbreak depriving him of several key players, the German coach might have been expected to be cut a little more slack, even in Paris.
On the other hand, the more dramatic might say that Julian Draxler’s stoppage-time winner against Metz on Wednesday – the champions’ first Ligue 1 goal of the season, nearly three games in – saved Tuchel’s job. PSG go to Nice on Sunday lunchtime still lacking a clutch of stars, though they hope Marquinhos and Kylian Mbappé might be able to return. They will be welcomed with open arms. Patrick Vieira’s side, who have looked competitive, are unlikely make Tuchel’s season any easier than it has been thus far.
Back Nice and PSG to draw at [4.4]
Expectation on Benfica ahead of Portugal restart
As (second) debuts go, it was as bad as it gets. Jorge Jesus returned to Benfica in a blaze of glory after his Copa Libertadores feats with Flamengo, welcomed with over €80m worth of newly signed players to help him take the Lisbon giants to the next level.
Those plans have taken a serious blow after Tuesday night’s Champions League exit to PAOK. The Eagles had plenty in their favour – playing in an empty stadium in Thessaloniki when Toumbia would normally be rocking, and with a superior squad, at least on paper. That they were sunk by an own goal by Jan Vertonghen, one of the new boys, and an Andrija Zivkovic strike (Benfica actually let the Serbian go less than a fortnight ago) was almost too much to take.
Already the decision to bring back Jesus – whose signing was another significant expense for Benfica this summer – is being questioned in some quarters, which is unfair by comes with the territory. With champions Porto on a budget there is simply no scenario in which Jesus can get away with not winning the title, and winning it in style. They are still shaken by events in Greece, however, and traditionally slow starters ahead of a tricky trip north to Famalicão.
Back Famalicão and Benfica to draw at [4.7]
Source: BetFair French
