ENTERING INDEPENDENTS CUP 18 IN STYLE?
The team has prepared ahead of the Independents Cup 18 to pack a punch
The sudden elevation in the importance of the Independents Cup for the team ever since co-hosting the tournament with Drawkland two versions ago has given the team the necessary goal of finally accomplishing what would otherwise be left behind. That is, lifting the Independents Cup. While the "regional" tournament of the indies has not had a particular prominence in Juven football society forever, last time we witnessed one of the most bittersweet hearbreaks that the team has experienced in its history. Losing to the semi-finals of what could be the closest to a prestigious interregional tournament Juvencus could participate in was a punch that the team swallowed fast by defeating Drawkland in the 3rd place play offs. But this time around it is different, as Madeiros has organised the squad even more, as witnessed by being the multiverse's best performing team in the qualifiers of the world cup.
So, what are exactly the strong points of this team heading into the Independents Cup(which is already under way) and what have we witnessed from the first two matchdays?
The first and most major thing is the depth of the pool of the squad, this meant life and death in the qualifiers of the world cup. Having consistent rotations between stronger and weaker sides while maintaining a form of consistency has been the break that was necessary for the team. This has not changed now and probably this will not change ever, not even in a post-Madeiros period. A stronger backline coupled with an INSANE attack is a recipe for success and a recipe that eventually should be giving trophies to the team. Special mention going to players like Callejon(a wall in the backline), Martell(who will be retiring after the Independents Cup) and Julio Campana.
Secondly, fan support has been growing more and more important for the team. While there have definitely been mishaps -for lack of a better term- of Juven fans abroad, their support is a driving factor for the teams' clinical performances. Enchanting support, organs, flares when allowed(and not allowed, it is the nature of Juven fans after all) all couple up for a passionate supportive fanbase. The power given to the players to come back from situation where they are down, to improve the league, you name it, the fan support has allowed la squadra to do it.
Last but not least. Madeiros has given the team to embrace the result of the games in a more natural manner as well as humbled the players' overconfidence in regards to achieving said results. Keeping level-headed interviews and players on the backstage has given the team the room to grow and the positive explosion of the performance of gli attaccanti on the pitch is proof of that. Alongside that, a bunch of 3rd place finishes in Cup of Harmony 84 and Independents Cup 17 are not bad results in hindsight and really showcase the growth of the team.
As for the current trends of the Independents Cup, many top tier independent teams were butchered by teams they would have otherwise beaten. TJUN-ia ending in a goalless draw against Hopal, Adab losing to the Spartan Dominion, Drawkland shockingly losing both of its games against Belnegau and The 14 Stars. One could argue that is is a tactic to get an easier bracket following the group stages and thus an easier road to the final, however Juvencus has been one of the top sides to survive this butchering in an extravagant fashion. While struggling to defeat the newcomers of Katten en Kittens van de Wereld, with a wonderful Portieri screamer to seal the deal, the match against Eshialand was different. A revenge for that one draw against them in a Cup of Harmony all those years before was served TOO HOT with a victory with 6 goals to 2. A hat-trick by Campana was enough to seal the deal but after that it felt like child's play against the former Baptism of Fire winners.
If current trends continue, we could see la squadra take the upper bracket and chase the gold the old-fashioned way. It should be noted that being the 4th highest ranked team in the competition easily lands gli attaccanti among the favorites to win the whole thing and as such should not be taken lightly. This competition is an even more legitimate opportunity at winning the Independents Cup. With that said, good luck to la squadra in its upcoming games.