Juventus vs Parma: A Star Goes Down

Juventus are Italy's record champions with 36 league titles and dominated the 2010s, winning nine consecutive Serie A crowns from 2011/12 through 2019/20. Six seasons have now passed without another scudetto, and it is difficult to make a convincing case for the Turin giants as title favourites this time either.

Luciano Spalletti's side opened the campaign away to Frosinone and had to work hard for a victory secured by Gleison Bremer's header. The celebrations were quickly overshadowed, however, by the news that Juventus No. 10 Kenan Yıldız is expected to spend around two months on the sidelines.

There are concerns elsewhere in the attack too. Juventus sent Loïs Openda, one of the two attackers they spent most on last summer, on loan to Lyon. Randal Kolo Muani, the other of those two signings at a fee of more than €40 million, again showed signs of finishing problems, which is another unwelcome issue for Spalletti.

After being relegated to Serie B in 2006, Juventus returned stronger than before. Repeating that kind of recovery looks far more difficult today. The economics of both Italian and global football have changed dramatically, while Juventus' pursuit of even greater success ultimately pushed the club close to the financial brink.

Serie A titles and appearances in Champions League finals were no longer enough. After losing two European finals, Juventus spent an extraordinary sum on the then 33-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2018 in another attempt to finally win the Champions League.

The move shattered the club's wage structure, yet Juventus went no further than the Champions League quarter-finals of 2018/19. This season, the Bianconeri will instead compete in the Europa League.

Juventus' finances have still not completely recovered, making it increasingly difficult to compete with Milan, Inter, Napoli, Roma and even Como. Despite all of that, the Drughi have not lost hope and will once again be ready for the first home league match of the season against Parma.

Those hoping to experience Juventus' first home Serie A fixture of the campaign at Allianz Stadium can view available Juventus vs Parma tickets on Seatpin.

Parma Would Be Thriving as a Business

Looking purely at net transfer profit, calculated by subtracting spending on new players from income generated through sales, Parma stand out as the second-most profitable club in Serie A this summer behind Atalanta.

Financially, the Gialloblu may be enjoying one of the most secure periods in their history. The problem is that they have not yet managed to translate that stability into results on the pitch.

Parma enjoyed their golden era from the mid-1990s onwards, with players such as Gianluigi Buffon, Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro, Hernán Crespo and Juan Sebastián Verón all wearing the shirt. The Emilia-Romagna club later suffered badly during the financial problems and eventual collapse of main sponsor Parmalat.

By 2015, Parma had debts of more than €200 million and were unable to obtain a professional licence, forcing the club to restart in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football.

From that low point, loyalty from several players, community shareholding, scouting, player trading and investment in infrastructure helped Parma achieve three consecutive promotions. By 2018/19, the Crociati were back in Serie A.

After three seasons in the top flight, Parma were relegated in the first campaign under their new American owners, Krause Group. Three years later they returned to Serie A stronger and better prepared for life at the highest level.

The question now is when Krause Group can add sporting success to Parma's financial stability.

Carlos Cuesta's side began the season with a home defeat to Cagliari, and a trip to Turin is hardly an ideal opportunity to respond. Parma again regard survival and putting a little more money aside as realistic objectives, and this difficult away fixture will offer an early indication of what they can produce on the pitch.

Juventus vs Parma Tickets

Serie A has produced four different champions across the seven seasons since 2019/20, more than any of Europe's five major leagues or competitions such as those in Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey and Belgium over the same period, and no league has provided more excitement at the top in that time.

The balance of power suggests another compelling campaign lies ahead in Italy. Juventus are the biggest club in Turin, a city synonymous with industry, engineering, motoring and football. Supporters who want to be there for every step of their season will find Juventus vs Parma tickets on sale on Seatpin.