Episode #1.1 (2018) - full transcript

Fix your ties, guys.

[narrator]
The scene is the same as ever...

Ready?

...and yet there is something different.

The greatest team in Italian football
history is assembling,

as it has for the last century plus,

to take the traditional group photo

that will symbolize their unity.

C'mon, coach!

[narrator] But for the first time ever,
everyone will have an opportunity

to see more than just this image
below the headlines.



They'll see more than the matches,

with an unprecedented perspective
from inside the club.

He hurt himself.

[narrator] This season, Juventus F.C 
is inviting the world along

to witness its story behind the scenes.

Let's get ready to take part
in the team's great adventure.

[photographer] Look this way.

[theme music playing]

[commentator]
These guys have made history,

this is the most beautiful victory
of all time!

It's the sixth scudetto!

This is the black and white legend!

Thank you, guys.

[narrator] August in Torino, Italy.



And the dawn of a new season
in the Serie A football league.

Three months ago,
here in this stadium,

Juventus F.C. won both 
its sixth consecutive Scudetto,

and third consecutive Coppa Italia.

Both unprecedented feats, 
in Italian football.

But the excitement over
both those victories was short-lived,

and the team was defeated
in the Champions League Final.

[commentator] It's tough 
to lose two finals in three years.

It's painful to see supporters crying who,
like us, believed in this trophy.

[narrator] For Juventus, they use 
their past to define their future,

as they have celebrated dozens
of championships over the last century.

[commentator]
This is a fantastic invasion!

It's a celebration, Vialli kisses
and raises it to the Roman sky,

to the Italian sky, the Champions Cup!

Here is the scudetto of the history!

An unprecedented achievement!

To Juventus!

[narrator] So as the season begins,

the pressure to meet those expectations
is higher than ever.

The team begins its season the same as it
has for decades,

with an exhibition game
in the nearby town of Villar Perosa,

where the family who have owned the club
for over 90 years are from

and where its president Andrea Agnelli
reminds the players

of their unconditional mission.

Juventus legends like Sivori, Platini,
Del Piero, Baggio...

They all walked through this garden
and through that pitch.

[Allegri] This will be a year extremely,
extremely hard and tough.

To plan this season around the Champions 
League would be the wrong thing to do.

The season is made out
of every given week.

Saturday, then Sunday,
then Sunday, then Sunday.

We will be able to win only if
we sacrifice ourselves for one another.

Today it is a celebration.
Let's enjoy it.

Today we are in our home.

Enjoy the day, thank you.

[narrator] This is the day's 
main attraction for fans:

a free exhibition pitting 
the club's first-team stars...

against younger players 
from its academy.

[Giorgio Chiellini] To play 
in this small field in the outskirts

that experiences this glorious day

makes for a moment of unity for everybody
involved with the club.

With them being the family,
the team and fans.

In modern football, it's important
to keep certain traditions alive.

[Gianluigi Buffon] It's a romantic side 
that survives and we can't let go of it.

[Claudio Marchisio] It's a meeting
of the extended Juventus family.

We make a wish all together,
fans and players,

to be ready for another great season.

[narrator] If the players look at the fans
of the club as family members,

there's no better proof than today.

[Chiellini]
The game is becoming shorter and shorter.

Because fans display their affection

with a very peaceful pitch invasion.

[Chiellini]
Of course you give out what you wear,

and sign autographs as you leave.

These are beautiful moments
that make you part of this club.

[narrator]
Maybe a difficult season ahead...

but to anyone witnessing
this annual spectacle,

it's clear that
in the culture of Juventus,

the supporters are just as much a part of
the fabric of the club as any superstar.

Go Juve!
The greatest champions in the world!

[Buffon] If one would ask me,
"What is your special talent

for being goalkeeper and captain,"

I would reply that I do nothing special,
Juventus has many captains

for leadership, for professionalism
and for being role models.

When we might "fear" the opponent
and the event itself,

When we play matches
that we might doubt the outcome,

we manage to be united.

The goal here is never to be satisfied
of what you do.

This is the only rule I know to win 
and get better and better at it.

I want that my teammates,

when they play on the pitch,

to give their best for the cause.

[Buffon] Until the last day I'll play,

I want to give all of myself to Juventus
on and off the pitch

to make sure things go well for Juve.

And I hope to have passed on
the important values

to the ones who will come after me.

[narrator] To help strengthen 
the Juve squad this season

the team welcomes the arrival
of more champions.

Among them Blaise Matuidi, a midfielder
acquired from Paris St. Germain.

His first press conference 
as a member of his new club

leaves no doubt he's happy to be there.

He also understands
what he has been brought to Juve to do.

[host] Good afternoon and welcome.

Please ask one question at a time 
to facilitate translation.

Thank you very much.

[Matuidi] I am very happy and very proud
to wear the Juventus jersey.

I've known Juventus for a long time.
It is a great team.

They always do well
in the Champions League

and win the scudetto.
So for me, it's a new adventure.

It's a challenge, but an exciting one.

In any way I will do my best

to help the team to achieve its goals.

[narrator] Historically,
Juventus has always relied upon

the strength of its defense.

Matuidi may be a midfielder, but he has 
outstanding defensive qualities.

Which will be very important in
compensating for the recent departures

of some of Juve's best.

Move fast to the opposite side!

Stay behind and then jump on him!

[Massimiliano Allegri] It's not easy, 
every year we need to raise the bar,

and we have to ask
a lot more of ourselves.

Because at the end, 
in March, there will be

the last part of the season,
which is the most important.

We'll have to be physically 
and technically ready,

but above all, mentally ready.

[narrator]
It's night before Juve opens the season,

and for Gonzalo Higuain
it is a solitary and quiet time.

[Gonzalo Higuain] I like my beard

and I take care of it every 15 days.

Sometimes when you have a beard
and you score, you let it grow.

These are the initials of my family.

Jorge is my father.

Nancy is my mother.

Nicholas my counselor, my older brother.

Federico plays in MLS in Columbus
and Lautaro is the smaller.

This one says: Juntos somos invencibles--
Together we are invincible.

Family is essential, for me is the thing
that matters the most.

With my family when

I am not playing soccer

we do not talk about soccer.

We talk about other things
that are also important in life.

My father used to play soccer
many years ago

and so we grew up in the 'soccer world'.

My father is more critical.

Even if I score two or three goals,

it's hard for him to tell me 
that I did great.

He first talks about what I did wrong

and then he remembers
that I've scored two or three goals.

But also because of that,

I have learned to do better.

[narrator] After disappointing play in
the Champions League final last season,

the expectations
for Higuain are compounding,

increasing the pressure on him
for a strong start.

[commentator] Brothers and sisters,
welcome to Allianz Stadium.

[narrator] Juve opens the season

at home against Cagliari.

It's the first test
since conceding three goals

in the Super Coppa Italiana
over the summer.

If Juventus hope to defend their title

for unprecedented seventh time,

they will need to find
new chemistry on defense.

[commentator]
The ball is well positioned... Goal!

Juve scores!

[narrator] After Juve's opening goal,
a bit of history is made

when video review is employed
in Serie A game for the first time.

The review goes against Juventus,

offering Cagliari a chance to draw even.

And the first difficult test of the year
for Juve's legendary goalkeeper.

[commentator]
Gigi saves it on his right side!

The best keeper in the world
defeats the video review!

Paulo, left foot... Goal!

And the ball goes in. Goal!

[Allegri]
We have to face a long season.

Starting from September 10th
we'll play every three days.

I am happy about today's performance.

Up until the penalty we weren't defending 
very well. We need to work on that.

Buffon was great at saving the penalty,
taking the chestnuts out of the fire.

[narrator] Juventus always expects 
a strong start in the serie A.

Yet the ultimate goal for this club is
to get to the Champions League final.

In his first three seasons, head coach

Max Allegri has already become 
the third winningiest coach

in Juventus' 120 year history.

But the decision on returning 
for a fourth season

was more about the losses than the wins.

Go...go...go...

After Cardiff I did...
I had a moment of reflection,

as could be expected, because...

because I already achieved
two Champions finals in three years.

So I had a moment where I stopped
and I asked myself

if I was still able to have 
the energy and strength

to be able to face
another year at Juventus.

[Allegri] The difference between Juventus
and other teams

is that what you achieve
is put aside right away,

and you immediately have to work hard
for the next success.

[Allegri] So this is one thing 
that gives you a lot of pressure.

I always say that in football,
"Winning is an extraordinary thing,

but it is not normal."

[Allegri] Outsiders think that it's normal
for Juventus to win,

but it's absolutely not normal,

because you can't win every year.

Just like this...

Wait...wait...wait.

[narrator]
If winning has become ubiquitous for Juve

so has falling short
in the Champions League final game.

In nine finals game appearances 
they have only won twice:

in 1985 and 1996.

I won one and then we lost two 
in a row the following years.

They are really heavy beatings,

because the higher the goal you are trying
to achieve, the worse it feels.

To get to the Champions League final 
and lose it... it hurts so much.

It's the same for other trophies,
but the Champions League hurts so much

because it all happens in 90 minutes.
It's devastating.

[Del Piero] You need some days
to breathe and forget about it.

So that you can restart a month later

all fired up, with the desire 
that it won't happen again

[narrator] The road to this year's 
Champions League final

starts in Monte Carlo,

with the stage group draw.

[crowd] One captain
We only have one captain

[narrator] Also part of the evening: 
Gigi Buffon being honored

as last season's Champions League
goalkeeper of the year.

[Buffon] One must never feel satisfied.

Receiving it at the age 
of 39 is gratifying,

but I think I'm deserving of it.

When people talk about Buffon player,

I want them to talk in the present tense,
not past tense.

[host] Please welcome on stage

the Uefa Champions League goalkeeper
of the season:

Gianluigi Buffon.

[narrator]
He looks at ease around fellow superstars,

even if they seem eager
to remind him of his age.

[host] Cristiano, you became the first
man to score 100 Champions League goals.

If you had to pick one that stands out...

The last one against this old man.

[narrator] But he appears comfortable
with the idea of retirement.

Well, I am getting there calmly,

in the sense that I am relaxed

because I am getting there in 
a good shape, physically and mentally,

which was my first goal.

Nothing and nobody is eternal.

[narrator] In the opening stage, 
the four teams in each group play twice.

One game at home and one game away.

Barcelona.

[narrator] Juve draws Barcelona,

and will travel to Spain 
for their first game.

[Buffon] Clearly, after all these years,
winning the Champions League

would be the accomplishment of my dream

and of an incredible story
I'm having with Juve.

[narrator] As the team leaves for Spain 
to open the Champions League season

the recent memory 
of beating Barca 3-0 in Torino

during the last season's 
quarterfinals is still fresh.

Having dominated one of the most 
prestigious clubs in the world

brings added pressure

especially for Juve's 23-year-old
Argentinian striker Paulo Dybala.

His two goal performance that day

inflated comparisons 
to another Argentinian striker:

Lionel Messi.

Nobody expected what I did last year

and now everybody expects 
what I did last year.

[Dybala] It's not easy,

because it's hard to play 
against such a team like Barcelona

and in a stadium like this
where they will aggress us.

[crowd chanting]

[Allegri] To achieve a third 
consecutive game against Barcelona

with clean sheet would be extraordinary.

Since it's very hard, almost impossible,
we'll have to try to score.

[commentator]
From the Camp Nou in Barcelona,

the first Champions League game 
of this group

and it's already an extremely big game.

De Sciglio on the edge of the area.
De Sciglio!

Only few inches out of the target.

Dybala towards Ter Stegen! Dybala inside
the penalty area. Dybala!

Messi shoots against the wall.
It's not over. Suarez, Buffon!

[narrator] In the opening period, 
Juve plays strong defense,

as they fight to keep 
their clean sheet streak alive.

In the closing minute of the half,
Lionel Messi strikes.

[commentator] It's a billiard shoot
on the far away post.

For the first time in his career 
he scores a goal to Buffon.

We're ready for another 
Barcelona - Juventus 45 minutes battle.

One to zero, but 50% of this match
still needs to be played.

Messi is in the box. It's still him,

Messi! The ball is in the middle. Rakitic.
Barcelona doubles the score.

It just got very difficult for Juve,
which needs to get back on track

and score a goal as soon as possible.

Messi stops and dribbles.
Always him, Messi!

He makes the difference one more time.

What an impressive player.

[narrator]
In the end, Leo Messi is too much.

Barcelona beats Juventus 
for the first time

since the 2014/2015 
Champions League Final.

[Allegri]
We played well in the first half,

but we should have kept our heads focused
in the second half.

We conceded three goals
on counter attacks.

When you allow a player like Messi chances
like that you will lose the game.

Keep your head in the game, always!

Use your brain!

Pay attention!

[Giuseppe Marotta] After a defeat,
one should always learn lessons.

As Nelson Mandela said:

"I never lose, I either win or learn."

When you receive the pass, play there!

[Marotta] In this case we have learned

that we must play 
with unrelenting intensity.

This is one of the goals that Allegri,
his staff and the entire team

must pursue in the coming matches.

[Allegri] Why do you go there?!

Out, here, close him!

Press him! This is the half wing
and here the defenders!

[Pavel Nedved] Juve doesn't play 
for second place or to take part,

Juve plays to win.

I went through it, I know how they feel

when things get difficult,

because I lived those moments.

If we can't stand close, open there!
Stay up, Berna! Go there!

There is a lot of pressure from people
because the team has a huge fanbase

where there have been players
that really made soccer history.

It's very difficult to play for Juventus,

only few can manage it.

[narrator] When there's so much tradition 
with a club,

the glory of yesterday is connected 
to the hope of today

and players like Claudio Marchisio,

who first began his Juventus journey 
in the youth academy.

Here we are.

This is where it all started, in 2006.

This is the path that you follow
when you are young.

[Marchisio] Thanks to their coaches, 
the young begin their growth process.

I followed this path too,
which made me grow.

In simple words I left this message

to whom has been able
to make it this far.

"May this jersey and my story
shape your dreams."

This is the meeting room.

The South Americans
usually stick together,

they speak Spanish and Portuguese
here in their zone.

Here we have the Eastern zone

with Mario Mandzukic, Khedira,
Stephan, me and Pjanic.

We are here

with these people who work

for us all year around, thanks to them
we have everything we need.

They are very important.

[Rosanna] We are preparing for training.

[Marchisio]
You are preparing for training for...

we will train at the Juventus Stadium.

Rosanna is here since a long time.

We've known each other since a long time,
I was as tall as the table.

-[Rosanna] It's true.
-And then I've grown a little bit.

These are our real tools:

our shoes, always ready for our battles.

-[Marchisio] Thank you.
-You are welcome.

[narrator] For their fourth match
of the serie A season

the team is headed to Reggio Emilia
for a matchup with Sassuolo.

After three straight wins, everyone feels
the pressure to continue playing well,

but for the one who wears
the most coveted number in the game,

the expectations can be extreme.

[Del Piero] Number ten jersey
is a prestigious number,

it is the number when it comes to soccer.

Also you're in the most winning team 
in Italy,

so it's one more responsibility.

A week earlier,  Paulo Dybala
witnessed Lionel Messi,

the best number ten in the world, 
pick Juventus apart.

Evidence that he still has a lot to prove.

[Dybala] To have the chance to play 
with this number,

for all the players who wore this jersey,

it is a real pleasure.

But for me to play this game
with number ten doesn't change things,

what matters is to try to perform well,

give my best and help my teammates.

[commentator]
From the Mapei Stadium of Reggio Emilia,

good day from Enrico Zambruno,

it's the 4th serie A game.

Today is Sassuolo versus Juventus.

Barcellona, the Camp Nou and the Champions
League are already the past.

The present is serie A.

Till the end, go Juve!

Cuadrado can cross.

Cuadrado! Ball's out.

Forward, Mandzukic tries
to be faster than Letschert,

inside for Dybala, pay attention...

Dybala!

Paulo Dybala!

A feast for the eyes!
Sassulo zero, Juventus one.

What a goal!

Ball close to the ground,
inside for Falcinelli, Buffon!

Higuain, good move for Cuadrado.

Pay close attention to Cuadrado,
ball close to the ground...

Dybala!

Him again! With a shoot similar to futsal!

Kick with the toe on the near post,
fourth minute.

Sassuolo zero, Juventus two!

Ball on the other side, Adjapong zone.
Adjapong chest stop.

With the tip of the toe!
The ball stays there

and it's a goal, Sassuolo scores 
with Politano, who reopens the match.

[narrator]
Every match has its challenges,

on this day for Juve,

it's about maintaining focus
and composure amid the physical play.

[commentator] He manages to pass, 
Dybala, always him,

in the middle of three men. 
And it's free kick.

Tough tackle behind his shoulders,
free kick for Juventus.

Dybala...!

Unstoppable Paulo Dybala!

Sassuolo one, Juventus three!

What a player, Paulo Dybala!

Unstoppable!

Unbelievable!

[Allegri] The team played a good game,
had a good reaction.

Higuain helps Paulo a lot

he comes out and plays.

I am very happy about this,

as the whole team is.

Paulo gets to score 
and to have amazing performances

because he's supported by a team

that allows him to do this.

[reporter]
How upset are you about the goal?

Since you usually get upset...

I get upset because it was a game in which

we weren't supposed to concede any goals.

When you get lead
and when the game seems easy

you have to keep passing
the ball and playing simply,

because we need everyone
to go all the way, to win a scudetto.

We are going to have a photo shoot.

[narrator] When you play

for one of the world's 
most popular soccer franchises,

there aren't many off days.

Today, that means a photo shoot
for their title sponsor.

What's great about today
is that there aren't any traffic cameras,

so we can go faster.

[narrator] Not surprisingly,
the opportunity for a test drive

turns into a friendly competition.

I'm the best.

Szczesny is good competition.
I think he's fast.

Go slow!

No, I can't go slow with this car.

[narrator]
Being a professional football player is

what they all dreamed of doing as boys.

But it's just like any other job,

it's a matter of finding a balance

between family and work.

For Miralem Pjanic,
during the season in particular,

time with his son is something
to be cherished.

[Miralem Pjanic]
What did you do in school?

-I ate pasta.
-[Pjanic] You ate pasta?

-[Pjanic] With what?
-Chicken.

[Pjanic] What do you want to do?

-[child] Play soccer.
-Play soccer?

-With whom?
-[child] With you.

[Pjanic] Hey, you let me score.
I want to score some goals.

I'm very strong in goal.

[Pjanic] Yes, you are.

You're as good as whom?

Like Gigi Buffon.

[Pjanic] Like Gigi Buffon? Mamma mia...

Bravo, my love.

[Pjanic]
When my son wakes me up in the morning,

he asks, "Dad, are you picking me up
from school?"

Every time I say yes,
even if sometimes, unfortunately,

we have practice in the afternoon
and I don't have time.

-[child] Let's play soccer at home.
-[Pjanic] Okay.

[Pjanic] Yesterday you broke a vase.

Daddy too, he broke everything 
at home when he was little.

Oo-la-la!

[Pjanic] I love normal life,
I try to live as simply as possible.

I have fun.
I love spending time with my son.

These moments for me 
are definitely very important.

It has always been important for me
to have a balance outside my profession,

because it's easy to lose 
the sense of reality,

and it's your family that reminds you

what life is really about.

[narrator] Juventus is not 
the only serie A team in the city.

There is also Torino Football Club.

And when they meet,
it's always a passionate affair.

Torino citizens are more often "Granata".

Juve has more fans in Italy
than in the city of Torino.

[Del Piero] Because it lives through
the rivalry with Torino

Juve has a good relationship 
with the city of Torino

which has always been 
a great and glorious team.

[Roberto Bettega] The Torino derby, 
or "derby della mole",

always had its appeal and rivalry.

Juventus has always been more focused on
winning the championship than the derby.

For Torino the derby was more important.

[crowd] Torino is just us!

[narrator] This traditional meeting 
of Torino's two football clubs

is always for a romantic celebration.

On this day,
it's all Juventus on the pitch.

The final touch in extra time,
Paulo Dybala's second goal of the game

and tenth in his last six matches.

It's a signature win
of this early season

and takes the club's record 
to a perfect 6-0 in serie A.

But even amid the celebration, everybody
knows that this is only the beginning.

The season has seven long months ahead

and there are many unanswered questions.

All in the Juventus family have come
to expect more wins like this one.

But nothing is for certain,
in the game of football.