The Old Lady Speaks Podcast is riding high after dropping Episode 353 - and honestly, the hype is justified. Following a dominant 3 - 0 demolition of Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium on August 26, the pod dove deep into a victory that was anything but predictable. The scoreline looks routine, sure. But the sources of the goals? Far from it. With Thiago Motta’s rotation paying off in spectacular fashion, the episode breaks down how a squad often criticized for its lack of depth suddenly looks terrifyingly dangerous. The numbers backing the win are staggering, and the pod doesn’t shy away from the tactical shift that made it possible.
The title of the episode says it all: “Unexpected sources help Juventus make it two straight wins to begin season.” And boy, did they deliver. From the opening monologue to the final sign-off, this wasn’t just a match recap - it was a full-blown celebration of a squad finally proving its doubters wrong. The pod’s energy mirrors the fanbase’s mood perfectly. Juventus sit top of Serie A with six points and a +5 goal difference, and the swagger is real.
Miretti, Yıldız, and Fagioli Silence the Doubters
The core thesis of Episode 353 is simple: the "second string" is no longer a step down. Fabio Miretti opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Kenan Yıldız added a second in the 58th, and Nicolò Fagioli capped the night in the 81st minute. All three names were squad-rotation pieces or impact subs last season, but against Verona, they were the engine. The episode highlights how the absence of marquee summer signing Teun Koopmeiners - rested after his €55M move from Atalanta - didn't just fail to hurt the team; it actually unlocked a more fluid attacking rhythm.
The hosts argue that competition for starting spots is now the club’s biggest strength - a stark contrast to the injury-plagued campaigns of recent years. Miretti’s goal was a poacher’s finish. Yıldız’s was a moment of pure individual brilliance. And Fagioli’s was a statement that he’s fully back. As one host put it: “This isn’t a rotation squad anymore. This is a squad where everyone’s fighting for the same shirt, and that’s exactly what we’ve been begging for.” The Verona match wasn’t just a win - it was a warning shot to the rest of Serie A.
📊 22 shots attempted vs. Hellas Verona - Juventus’ highest total in a single match since March 2025, per Opta data.
The Numbers Behind the Noise: A Youth Movement Record
Beyond the highlight-reel goals, the podcast anchors its analysis in a jaw-dropping statistical trend. Juventus attempted 22 shots against Verona, their highest total in a single match since March 2025. But the stat that truly sent the hosts into a frenzy: 14 of those 22 shots came from players aged 23 or under. According to the show notes (citing Opta), that is a club record for a single Serie A match this season.
| Category | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 22 | 100% |
| Shots by players 23 or under | 14 | 63.6% |
| Shots on target | 9 | 40.9% |
| Goals scored | 3 | 13.6% |
This isn't just winning; it’s winning with an identity. The "Money Talk" segment also took a victory lap on asset value, noting Kenan Yıldız’s market valuation has surged to €70M following his hot start - up from €60M in June. The pod frames this not just as a win on the pitch, but as a financial masterstroke for the balance sheet. With Yıldız looking like a superstar in the making and the youth movement firing on all cylinders, Juventus are suddenly the most exciting project in Italy.
