Giaccherini Reflects on Career, Backs Juventus in Title Race
Former Italy international Emanuele Giaccherini has weighed in on the Serie A title race, suggesting Juventus are better positioned than rivals AC Milan and Inter for future success. In a wide-ranging interview, the retired winger also reflected on the pivotal moments of his own career, including a famous goal against Milan in 2010 that changed his trajectory.
Giaccherini, who played for Juventus between 2011 and 2013, stated the Bianconeri are currently the best team in Italy "by a distance." He praised the club's forward planning, citing the recent contract extensions for manager Thiago Motta and players like Weston McKennie, Kenan Yildiz, and Manuel Locatelli as evidence of a solid foundation. According to Giaccherini, this groundwork means Juventus will start next season from a higher base than their rivals.
The 38-year-old suggested that one major signing could propel Juventus further, specifically mentioning Manchester City's Bernardo Silva. "Taking a player like Bernardo Silva, in a team that functions so well, they would make a notable leap even on the international stage," Giaccherini said. In contrast, he believes AC Milan, who face Juventus this weekend, "has to rebuild a bit" and lacks the same certainties in their system of play.
Reflecting on his own path, Giaccherini highlighted a September 2010 match for Cesena against a star-studded Milan featuring Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo, and Thiago Silva. Scoring in a 2-0 win was a career turning point. "I think it was a watershed moment," he recalled, noting the media attention that followed made him realize the significance of the result.
That Serie A season with Cesena led to a move to Juventus, orchestrated by Antonio Conte. Giaccherini revealed Conte had wanted him a year earlier for his Siena side in Serie B, but the player chose to stay with Cesena to prove himself in the top flight. When Conte moved to Juventus the following summer, Giaccherini followed. "The manager was the only one who wanted me strongly in Turin, truly the only one," he stated, acknowledging his late-August signing was not a marquee arrival for a club coming off two seventh-place finishes.
His subsequent 2013 transfer to Sunderland, he explained, was driven by a desire for importance and financial security. "They wanted me strongly, I was the jewel in the crown of their transfer campaign. They made me feel important, whereas at Juventus I was an excellent alternative," Giaccherini said.
On specific transfer rumors linking both Milan and Juventus to players, Giaccherini expressed skepticism about a move for Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski due to his age conflicting with Juventus's youthful project. He identified Napoli's Victor Osimhen as the only striker he would spend a large budget on, and suggested Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker would be a masterstroke signing to address what he sees as Juventus's weak link this season. Regarding Dusan Vlahovic's future, with his contract expiring in 2026, Giaccherini inferred the relationship might be over, citing the striker's physical issues and fan relations over the last two years.
