Former Juventus goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi has voiced strong opinions on the club’s current search for a new number one, criticizing the recent sale of Wojciech Szczesny and advocating for a goalkeeper with strong personality. Tacconi, who spent nine seasons with Juventus between 1983 and 1992, winning numerous domestic and European titles, believes the position demands a specific mental fortitude.
Speaking to a journalist, Tacconi recounted his own experience adapting to the pressure of following Juventus legend Dino Zoff, stating he overcame it by establishing a firm and uncompromising demeanor. He emphasized the importance of confidence, recalling how a penalty save early in his Juventus career significantly boosted his self-belief. He noted a difference in the modern game, suggesting current attackers rarely shoot from distance, a contrast to his era featuring players like Maradona, Platini, and Zico.
The discussion turned to Juventus’s current goalkeeping situation, with the club reportedly seeking a replacement for Mattia Perin. Tacconi dismissed the idea that the team’s struggles were solely down to the goalkeeping position, pointing to broader issues contributing to their Champions League exclusion and the absence of a consistently fit Bremer in defense.
When asked about potential targets like Alisson Becker of Liverpool and Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa, both requested by current manager Luciano Spalletti, Tacconi surprisingly defended Szczesny, calling his sale a “grave error” and highlighting his immediate move to Barcelona as evidence of his quality. He acknowledged both Alisson and Martinez as top-level goalkeepers, with Martinez possessing a particularly strong character, though stopping short of saying he surpasses Tacconi himself in that regard. He ultimately expressed a preference for an Italian goalkeeper, singling out Marco Carnesecchi as his top choice, though conceding he may be unattainable.
Tacconi also assessed other potential options, questioning whether David de Gea, now at Fiorentina, would be a suitable fit for Juventus, suggesting he is better suited to the Florence club. He also raised concerns about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s consistency, noting occasional “infantile” errors, while praising Vicario as another strong Italian option. He concluded that the most difficult task for a goalkeeper is remaining focused and alert during quiet periods of a match, rather than making saves under pressure. He expressed disappointment with Juventus’s recent sixth-place finish and Champions League absence, acknowledging the intense pressure at the club when success is lacking, and believes the appointment of Comolli and Spalletti represents a positive step forward.
