Montero’s debut “the big guy”, Juve shows its “values” to Thiago Motta
Record holder of expulsions, for Ancelotti "a failed convict": he will ferry Juve to Bologna, towards his next coach
ROMA – Paolo Montero is called upon to represent the “values of Juventus” for the last two matches of the championship. Those betrayed by hysterical scenes from Massimiliano Allegri, at the Olimpico. The same ones that Thiago Motta should have already absorbed, in an agamic manner, due to the constant media association with the Juventus bench. For one evening, on Monday, the calendar pits them against each other, the present and the near future: this is what Bologna-Juventus is.
And therefore: Paolo Montero, called “the carrion par excellence” by the late Gianni Mura. The unbeaten heavyweight of expulsions: 17 red cards, and the praise of a punch to Di Biagio which earned him a 20-day ban. For Ancelotti “a failed convict, but with his own code of honor”. The causal link that links the end of Allegri and the contextual beginning of Montero, in the name of “values”, is fascinating. Once it was called “Juve style”, now – rhetorical brand aside – it is difficult to trace its historical meaning. Andrea Agnelli, for example, greeting his friend Max the other day, underlined that he is Juve “with every cell of yours”. Points of view, evidently.
Montero was “a Pasquale Bruno with other means” for Juve. They called him “pine cone”, damn it. Lippi saw him as a “kamikaze of contrast”. As coach of the Juventus Primavera, during a match against Sassuolo, he forced his boys to score when an opponent was down. In the video – there is always a video in today’s football, it’s getting harder and harder for the Monteros – you hear Montero advising his team to keep the ball. The Sassuolo goalkeeper protests: “She’s our coach, we threw her out.” But the Juventus coach doesn’t give in: «Don’t give it to France’» he says to one of his players. With Sassuolo exposed, Crapisto puts the ball into the net to make it 2-1 which reopens the match.
Montero has the opportunity to pass the baton to Thiago Motta, live. “Compatibly with the values of Juventus”, whatever they may be.