Tardelli sees Juve advantage

Marco Tardelli believes Juve’s failure to qualify for Europe last term will benefit them in the Scudetto race.

The Old Lady are only playing for the championship and the Coppa Italia this season after finishing the last campaign in a lowly seventh place.

“Juve can win the Scudetto this season,” the former Bianconeri midfielder told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Not playing in any of the two European competitions during the week can be a massive benefit to them.

“Milan and Inter are confused right now, whereas Napoli are thinking about the Champions League.

“However, don’t forget about Udinese. We’ll have to keep an eye on them…”

Juventus and Udinese currently lead the standings after Claudio Marchisio scored twice to defeat Milan on Sunday.

“Marchisio is very similar to the player I was in terms of technique, his running and determination. But let us allow this young talent to grow in peace.”

Tardelli also praised the work of new boss Antonio Conte who has delivered three wins and two draws from five games so far.

“Conte just needs to be left alone to develop his tactical ideas,” he concluded.

Juve started the season with a 4-4-2, but they’ve also played in 4-1-4-1 and 4-2-3-1 shapes so far this term.