Is Ciro Ferrara On His Last Legs at Juventus?

While the worlds press gathered to salivate over Spain’s 'El Classico', matters in Serie A were taking a more dramatic turn. Inter managed to overcome Fiorentina at the San Siro thanks to a Diego Milito Penalty. Milan struggled to break down Catania, and were knocking on the door for 90 minutes until Klaas-Jan Huntelaar produced two moments of striking magic to propel himself into the hearts of the Rossoneri. However, with the two Milan sides gaining 3 points, it was Juve who slipped up once more. They were well and truly humbled by Cagliari at the Sant’Elia with Jeda on from in the 2-0 defeat.

This has meant they are now a massive 8 points behind leaders Inter and have dropped to third place behind a Milan side that have huffed and puffed all season.

Juventus were seen by many as Inter’s main and possibly only challengers for the Scudetto this season, after a better than normal transfer campaign and terrific start to the Serie A season. Diego looked an inspired piece of business during the opening few games. Cannanvaro and Chiellini were assured at the back, Iaquinta was fast becoming Juve’s number one striker, with youth a plenty in De Ceglie, Marchisio and a rejuvenated Giovinco, a title challenge seemed a realistic possibility.

In stark contrast, the last month or so have been a relative disaster for the Bianconeri, capitulation against Napoli, struggling to overcome Udinese and thoroughly outplayed by Cagliari, not to mention the Champions League trouncing at the hands of Bordeaux.

This had led to increased pressure on relative rookie Ciro Ferrara, his position has come under the microscope in recent weeks, with some even calling for his head. According to Turin newspaper, Tuttosport, Juve patron John Elkann apparently called Ferrara after the weekend’s game to remind him of the money spent in the summer and the expectations of the Juve board and faithful.

Ferrara himself has admitted that there is something wrong at the club, according to the coach the Brazilian is not following instructions on the pitch. This usually means the coach is losing control of the dressing room, and inevitably is the beginning of the end. Ferrara has made mistakes, he has not used players to their full effectiveness, the team are still adjusting to the new formation, the coach is still learning his trade and maybe does not deserve the criticism he has received.

England manager and Juventus legend Fabio Capello has came to the defence of his former captain, “Juventus have reinforced, but need time to mature. Let's give this Juve a little time.” And President Jean-Claude Blanc insists that coach Ciro Ferrara will remain in charge. "The outcome of the next two games will not change anything, we move ahead with our project,"

A decisive game is coming for both club and coach, the Derby d’Italia. Lose this and any slim hopes of a championship triumph will be extinguished, win and it could prove the catalyst in such a difficult time. The choice is there for all at Juve. This has the making of a defining moment in Juve’s season.