Claudio Marchisio, the former Juventus midfielder and current head of competition for Kings League Italy, recently shared his insights on various topics concerning Juventus and the ongoing football scene during the Kings League draft event in Turin.
Marchisio expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “I have come to many evenings at Teatro Regio, and I am happy there are so many young people here tonight who may have never been in such a place. They are here to see us, but they will also see a fantastic venue.” He emphasized the significance of the draft, saying, “It’s an important moment for us, and I’m curious to see the strategies that the presidents will use. Here in Turin, we will also have the final of the Kings League World Cup.”
Discussing Serie A’s competitiveness, Marchisio confirmed that it indeed feels like a “seven sisters” league. He noted, “The teams at the top are very close together. However, I am convinced that by January, two or three teams will pull ahead.” He acknowledged Juventus’ current struggles due to significant absences and mentioned the impact of the upcoming transfer window: “There will be some teams looking to strengthen their squads.”
On Dusan Vlahovic’s role at Juventus, Marchisio remarked, “I hope he can avoid further physical problems. Juventus needs him even numerically because Milik has not returned yet and there are no other center-forwards available. Not having a striker makes a difference, and I hope he can be available as soon as possible because a player like him is needed like bread.”
Regarding Teun Koopmeiners’ adaptation to Juventus, Marchisio commented, “It’s an adjustment period for him, not just in terms of his role. It’s a total change in both playing style and position compared to what he had at Atalanta. We must remember that he had a rather peculiar injury to his ribs. I hope he can find his way back to scoring because I believe he can make an impact in some performances.”
When asked about potential rules from Kings League that could benefit traditional football, Marchisio said, “We will see over time; there are many things that can change the outcome of a game with cards. I know that some youth sectors are already using certain rules from Kings League with young players. So something is already shifting.”
He concluded by discussing ideal players for a Kings League team: “We need to think carefully; seven-a-side football is different from eleven-a-side and requires players who are very skilled in one-on-one situations. I would say Douglas Costa, Andrea Pirlo, and Andres Iniesta would be my top three picks.”