There is currently a popular internet campaign to get metal band Rage Against The Machine to the Christmas No 1 spot ahead of this year’s X Factor pop clone, it is an against the odds story but it seems there is a very good chance it will succeed. However, such miracles are way beyond the reaches of even the most creative fairytale writer when it comes to Italian football.

Juventus’ massacre in Turin last night against Bayern Munich was agonising for all Bianconeri. Ciro Ferrara’s side were the victims of an in-house drive-by as the Germans’ smash and grab stole not only their last 16 spot but also their pride. The shell-shocked squad ought to watch the video of the dismal second half, rewind it and then play it again and again and again.

The famous black and white shirt used to instil fear across the continent. Sure Bayern Munich are also a household name, but last night ‘FC Hollywood’ were squabbling with Juve over second spot while French novices Bordeaux were rolling down easy street on their way to the next phase. It was a performance that should shame Ferrara and his players.

Think back to last year’s game against Chelsea. Juventus – two time European Cup winners, five time runners-up – struggled to ever hold the upper hand against the English side. There is nothing proper about the propaganda that overhypes the Premier League clubs, but due to the ineptitude of the peninsula’s giants they themselves are pouring more and more fuel on the fire

With Liverpool having already crashed out this was the perfect year for Italy to begin to take the power back. As this week began we looked set to see four calcio representatives in the last 16 compared to England’s three. As it stands Juve are out, Milan only just squeezed through while Inter now have a nervy night ahead against Russian debutants Rubin Kazan.

Juve certainly have better players than the likes of Bordeaux, CSKA Moscow, Fiorentina, Sevilla and Porto – all booked into the next round. So what is missing? Confidence? Managerial nous? Luck? If I knew what the problem was I would be on the phone to Turin to fill them in. Whatever is holding them back it needs to be addressed by next autumn, this mediocrity cannot go on.

Certainly the Old Lady’s owners will settle for nothing less than success and Ferrara will now be nervously looking at the forthcoming fixture list. He may have pegged Inter back at the weekend but with only the Europa League to contend for on the continent the Scudetto will be demanded by his superiors. If he does not deliver he can expect the bullet in the summer.