Juventus CEO calls for 'more Italian identity' in the squad

Juventus CEO Giovanni Carnevali has said the squad needs "more Italian identity" if the team is to compete for major trophies again.

The Turin giants, who won nine consecutive titles from the 2011-12 season onwards, have not been crowned Serie A champions since the 2019-20 season. Last season, after a turbulent spell under Igor Tudor, the Bianconeri finished sixth in the league under Luciano Spalletti and failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Juve, who have made an inconsistent start to this season too and sit seventh with 17 points from 10 matches, earned a crucial win over Napoli last Sunday. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, on loan from Tottenham, was the only Italian player in the starting 11 against Napoli, while Federico Gatti and Andrea Cambiaso came off the bench. Jeff Ekhator, Carlo Pinsoglio and Daniele Rugani remained on the bench throughout.

Carnevali, who took office last June, believes that investing in young players can restore the club to its former glory.

Addressing the subject, Carnevali said: "We need more Italian identity within our club, and we must develop young players who can make it into the Juventus first team in the future."

Carnevali continued: "We must rediscover our enthusiasm and our sense of belonging. We have to put in the effort, take things seriously and keep our desire to achieve something at the highest level; we must have clear ideas and know where we want to get to. I know very well that the results of recent years have not been satisfactory. You have to succeed in overcoming difficult periods, and we can only do that together. We do not expect to achieve extraordinary things overnight. We also have to comply with UEFA regulations. Rebuilding a big club takes time."