First Team: Juventus

Inside First Team: Juventus—Netflix’s Rare Glimpse Behind the Old Lady’s Curtain

Netflix’s First Team: Juventus (2018) promised fans an all-access pass to one of football’s most storied clubs during a pivotal season. The six-episode documentary series, produced by IMG Original Content, delivered exactly that—though not without raising eyebrows over what was left on the cutting-room floor. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know (and what remains frustratingly vague) about the making of this behind-the-scenes experiment.

The Pitch: A Season in the Spotlight

The series followed Juventus FC during the 2017–18 campaign, a year that saw the Turin giants chase domestic dominance while navigating the highs and lows of European competition . Unlike polished PR reels, First Team aimed for raw authenticity, embedding cameras in locker rooms, training grounds, and even players’ homes. The result? A rare look at the pressures facing a club where expectations are sky-high every season.

But was it too raw? The series’ 6.1/10 rating on SensCritique suggests some viewers felt it lacked the depth of, say, Sunderland ’Til I Die or All or Nothing . Still, for a club as guarded as Juventus, even a surface-level peek behind the curtain was a coup.

The Players: Who Stole the Show?

The evidence doesn’t name specific cast members, but the 2017–18 squad was packed with legends. Gianluigi Buffon, then in his final seasons, loomed large—his leadership and emotional range likely made him a focal point . Paulo Dybala, then the club’s golden boy, and veterans like Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli would’ve been natural draws for cameras.

Rumors swirled that some players were wary of the intrusion. While the series never confirms tensions, the lack of explosive behind-the-scenes drama (à la Drive to Survive) hints at either careful editing or a club culture that values discretion over spectacle . Unconfirmed whispers suggest midfielder Sami Khedira was particularly resistant to the cameras, though this remains speculative.

The Missing Pieces: What Didn’t Make the Cut?

The 2017–18 season was tumultuous. Juventus won their seventh consecutive Serie A title but crashed out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals—a bitter pill for a club chasing European glory. The series must have captured that disappointment, yet the trailers and reviews offer little detail on how it was framed . Was it a narrative of resilience or a cautionary tale? The evidence doesn’t say.

Another gap: the managerial dynamic. Massimiliano Allegri, then at the helm, was known for his tactical brilliance but also his no-nonsense demeanor. Did the cameras catch his fiery team talks or his quieter moments of doubt? Again, the snippets don’t reveal much.

The Verdict: A Flawed but Fascinating Experiment

First Team: Juventus wasn’t a home run, but it wasn’t a strikeout either. For fans, it was a chance to see Juventus as more than just a logo—warts, egos, and all. The series’ biggest flaw? It played it too safe. The most compelling sports documentaries thrive on conflict, and while Juventus’ season had plenty, the final cut felt sanitized .

Still, the mere fact that the club allowed cameras into its inner sanctum was a win. Whether Netflix (or Juventus) will attempt a sequel remains unclear. For now, First Team stands as a tantalizing, if incomplete, time capsule of a club at a crossroads.