What was already a difficult prospect when the draw was made in December, has only become more so in the intervening two months. Just months after only a defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final last May prevented them from landing a treble, Juventus had endured their worst start to a Serie A season for more than a century. Having lost a trio of hugely influential players in Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and, to Bayern, Arturo Vidal, it appeared the Bianconeri were set for a season of transition.
That transition has proved to be a far quicker process, however. Led by the goals and skills of one of the new generation of talent brought in to replace the departed veterans last summer, Paulo Dybala, Juventus went on a 15-match win streak in Serie A to surge back to the top of the table. Despite that run coming to an end with a goalless draw at Bologna on Saturday, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are suddenly favorites once again to land a fifth consecutive Scudetto.
It is the last thing Guardiola will have wanted as he seeks to end his time in Bavaria on a high. Since the draw as made, of course, it has also been confirmed not only that the Catalan will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the campaign but that he will take up residence at Manchester City from next season.
Keeping his squad motivated when they know the man in charge has chosen to move elsewhere is now a major challenge. And he will surely be keen to ensure his legacy at the German giants. Currently eight points clear at the top, Bayern look set to make it three straight Bundesliga titles under his charge. But there is a sense that he is still far from universally loved. A sign held up at the Allianz Arena reading “Pep was never our thing anyway,” only reinforced that disconnect.
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