Juve poised to dominate Serie A again
A SIXTH successive title for Juventus appears inevitable as the new Serie A season gets under way this weekend – despite having lost one of the world’s top players. It is not a good sign for the health of a league when the champions poach the best players from their nearest rivals – largely funded by the sale of Paul Pogba to Manchester United in off season. Juve, who host Fiorentina tomorrow, nabbed Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, whose record-breaking 36 goals led Napoli to second place, and have also signed third-placed AS Roma’s top player, midfielder Miralem Pjanic. Napoli did not want to sell Higuain, but had no choice after the Turin side agreed to pay the ß90 million (R1.36-billion) buyout clause for him. He will now link up with compatriot Paulo Dybala, a 22 year old with 19 league goals last season – becoming Juve’s most important player. Despite the departures of forward Alvaro Morata and midfielder Pogba, those signings leave Juventus way ahead of their rivals. The famous “BBC” defence of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini has remained intact and, with 38-year-old goalkeeper Gianliugi Buffon in goal, looks as impregnable as ever. Napoli are now a different proposition without Higuain, although the rest of the team is intact, including Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik. Elsewhere, nine of the 20 teams have changed coaches, including Lazio where Marcelo Bielsa was appointed before quitting two days later.