Carrera: Juve team to beat, Berna…

By Football Italia staff

Massimo Carrera believes Juventus “remain the team to beat” and is backing Federico Bernardeschi to become a Bianconeri great.

Speaking to TuttoJuve on Saturday, Carrera – a former Juve player and assistant Coach, who is now in charge of Spartak Moscow – also discussed his “surprise” at seeing Leonardo Bonucci and explained why Napoli were the Bianconeri’s biggest threat to their Serie A dominance.

“Juve? I watched the last few games they played and saw a good Juventus,” he began.

“They’re always strong and they have a better understanding of their quality. I was surprised by Bonucci leaving, but I think Juve remain the team to beat.

“I don’t know if they need another defender. There are situations that Allegri must judge in accordance to what he has at his disposal. I can’t do his job!

“His absence being felt? Only by seeing Juve’s game will we know. Chiellini and Barzagli are two players with a great deal of experience and Juve haven’t played a back three for some time now.

“I think the Coach will miss having a choice because with him, there was a choice, but I don’t think that Chiellini and Barzagli will have any problems.

“Other teams have certainly strengthened and I think it might be a bit more balanced.

“Juve, however, in terms of mentality and as a group of players, playing for so long together, they’re one step above the rest.

“Rivals? There are certainly the two Milan teams, Inter who have changed Coach and Milan who have bought some good players.

“Roma have a good team and Napoli have kept the core of their team. I think they have a slight advantage over the others because they’re the team that have changed the least so far.

“In the Champions League, on the other hand, we were certainly lucky not to meet them!

“Preseason in the US? It’s not the first time they’ve done it, I think there’s a reason for it and the benefits are there.

“The matches there are sometimes more than mere preparation because you gain more from them.

“Buffon? Gigi’s No 1 in every sense, as a goalkeeper, as a person and for his charisma. I think he can keep playing very calmly.

“Bernardeschi? In my opinion, he has all the physical and technical qualities to become a great player.

“He has the ability to work with other champions and he can become a key player for this team.”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow