Juventus returns to the Serie A title race

22/12/2025 07:01:00 ChampionChatter

The 2-1 win over AS Roma in Serie A’s 16th round allowed Juventus to reduce the gap to their direct 4th place rival to just one point, simultaneously signaling their return to the top-tier competition.

Juve has discarded its fearful image and started to showcase the winning influence of the experienced Luciano Spalletti, something their younger predecessors failed to do.

At home, Juventus secured their second straight victory against direct Champions League rivals (following a 1-0 win over Bologna). Francisco Conceicao and Lois Openda were the scorers, but the true architect of this revival is Luciano Spalletti.

Nearly two months after taking over, Spalletti has gradually revived Juventus from the chaotic Tudor era into a winning machine. In 11 matches across all competitions under his management so far, Juventus has won 7 and lost only once (a narrow 0-1 defeat to his former club Napoli). Things are improving steadily. They are back in the Serie A title race, hold a strong position in the Champions League qualifying rounds, and have reached the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.

Juventus is regaining its form under coach Luciano Spalletti

The crucial point is that Juventus no longer lacks stability and identity as they did under Igor Tudor or Thiago Motta. The "Old Lady" might not play the most beautiful football, and errors in passing remain, but importantly, they are no longer afraid. Mistakes no longer trigger a chain collapse but are met with coverage and solidarity on the pitch. Spalletti’s Juventus knows how to win "ugly" matches—emotionally lacking but effective.

By defeating Roma in this six-point match, Juventus not only puts pressure on the Top 4 but also begins to revive their Scudetto dream. Although the gap with the leaders (Inter, Milan, Napoli have yet to play round 16 due to the Italian Super Cup) remains, Juve’s upward trajectory is not to be underestimated.

Ahead of them is an exceptionally easy schedule, facing weaker teams Pisa, Lecce, Sassuolo, Cremonese, and Cagliari in succession. In theory, this is so, but Spalletti, who knows the harshness of Calcio better than anyone, warned: "Don’t talk to me about an easy schedule. Every match now is difficult."

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