Juventus 2019/20 season review: Domestic domination continues | OneFootball

While Maurizio Sarri’s debut season didn’t quite go to plan, it still ended with Juventus being crowned champions of Italy for the ninth straight season.

This is what we made of it.

Player of the season: Cristiano Ronaldo

This does come with a major caveat. It is clear watching Juventus this season that their key player and star man who really makes them tick is Paulo Dybala.

La Joya is irreplaceable. But that said, you simply cannot argue with the ridiculous records that the insatiable Ronaldo continues to rack up at the age of 35 and for that, he gets the narrow nod.

He became the first player ever to score 50 league goals in England, Spain and Italy and his 31 goals saw him equal the club’s single-season record.

Rising star: Matthijs de Ligt

Very few youngsters were blooded this season and those who were hardly set the world alight in their fleeting appearances.

De Ligt arrived for massive money after one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer so it is easy to forget that he was a teenager when he arrived, who had to adjust to a new country and culture.

Not that it stopped plenty from savaging the Dutchman after a shaky start but he has now found his feet and is showing why he is regarded as the best defensive prospect in the game.

Flop of the season: Federico Bernardeschi

Now 26, it has became clear that the inconsistent attacker is never going to hit the heights that people thought he would during his fine spell at Fiorentina.

In 29 league appearances, he contributed a paltry one goal and one assist but it his performances that are most alarming. He just isn’t playing well at all.

By all accounts, the Bianconeri hierarchy have grown frustrated with his form and are seriously considering offloading him this off-season.

As an aside, for those who believe Aaron Ramsey is worthy of consideration for this section, that’s too harsh. Given time and used in his proper position, the Welshman can shine.

Rate the manager

He achieved the bare minimum but at a club like Juventus, that may not be enough to save the 61-year-old from the chop.

Despite perennial success, Massimiliano Allegri was moved aside as the club aimed to focus on a more entertaining philosophy, which is why they pushed to bring Sarri in from Chelsea.

But his famous Sarrismo style that excited so much at Empoli and Napoli has been missing, with Juve crawling over the line in the league simply due to their relentless mentality and experience.

They didn’t quite win it in spite of their coach but performances in other cups have been disappointing and his dealings with the media haven’t always helped his cause.

This job may be too big for him.

What comes next?

They still have to finish the season by concluding their Champions League campaign and failure to overturn their first leg deficit against Lyon could be fatal for Sarri.

Rumours of an Antonio Conte return seem impossible given how his relationship with the club has soured … but this is Italy. Would you really rule it out?

Their Ronaldo window for European glory is closing fast. Instant success is a must.

Rating the season: 7/10