Fabrizio Ravanelli, a key member of Juventus’s 1996 Champions League winning side, has assessed the current state of the club, stating they are “light years” away from the team that triumphed in Rome three decades ago. Ravanelli was speaking at the Turin International Book Fair, reflecting on that historic victory and drawing comparisons with the present-day Juventus.
He recalled the feeling of lifting the trophy and scoring in the final as life-changing moments, emphasizing the unwavering belief the team had in their ability to win regardless of the opponent. Ravanelli highlighted the mental fortitude and all-around strength – technical, tactical, and human – that defined that Juventus squad, who had reached the UEFA Cup final the previous year.
When asked what Juventus needs to return to European competitiveness, Ravanelli was blunt in his assessment. He believes the current team lacks the relentless commitment to fighting for each other that characterized the 1996 side, a team he considers among the strongest in the club’s history. He expressed faith in the current leadership, including Cristiano Giuntoli, Giovanni Ottolini, and Daniele Chiellini, but stressed the need for a clear vision.
Ravanelli cautioned against pursuing older players like Robert Lewandowski, suggesting the club should focus on building a new cycle with young, dedicated players who will fully commit to the Juventus shirt. He pointed to his own arrival alongside Alessandro Del Piero, Stefano Di Livio, Moreno Torricelli, and others in the 1990s as examples of signings who went on to become club legends. He underscored the importance of strong scouting and avoiding costly transfer mistakes.
The former forward also weighed in on the futures of current Juventus players, Dusan Vlahovic and Bremer. Ravanelli urged both players to remain with the club, citing his own departure as a career regret and encouraging them to become leaders capable of inspiring their teammates. He believes they have the potential to write their own chapters in Juventus history. Looking ahead to the Champions League race, Ravanelli identified AC Milan as the team facing the most difficulties, but also acknowledged a challenging schedule for Juventus, while noting that Como could potentially upset both teams. He also believes Roma remains in contention despite their recent derby loss.
