Carpi v Juventus
Serie A Week 17 – Sunday, 19th December- 19:45 GMT – Stadio Alberto Braglia.
Juventus
In what was one of their best performances of the season, Juventus convincingly knocked out Torino and advanced to the next stage of the Coppa Italia. Unfortunately, Juventus are in the “good” side of the bracket, so they will have go through Lazio and one between Napoli and Inter to reach the final, most likely against Milan, but you never know, Spezia, Alessandria and Carpi have already pulled off upsets.
Simone Zaza scored a brace on Wednesday and he has now tallied five goals in the season: one every 73 minutes. I am sure Juventus would be happy to keep him in January after spending €18M in the summer to buy him back from Sassuolo, but he will be certainly be a topic of conversation in the upcoming month. No matter the tactics, Zaza is clearly the last forward in the pecking order and will see playing time only occasionally. He might not be super talented and might have already reached his ceiling, but he can score and considering the paucity of good strikers, he is well positioned to be called up for Euro 2016, but he needs to play. We will see what will happen: since Alvaro Morata’s buy-back clause looms large over the plans for the attack, Juventus might want to hold on to Zaza until there is more clarity. There are many Serie A teams in need of a striker just for six months this season.
It is unclear what the management is planning in the transfer market, which will likely means that they will do nothing. There has been some chatter about Ezequiel Lavezzi, who has an expiring contract and would like to come back to Italy: he would certainly help when we use a trident and Giuseppe Marotta loves nothing more than a good player with Serie A experience on a favourable deal. However, the competition is said to be fierce.
The other, very feeble, rumours involved a possible big move in the midfield, with either Ikay Gundongan or Joao Moutinho coming in. I do not really buy those, but you can understand the reasoning: only two midfielders, Paul Pogba and Stefano Sturaro, have not missed time with injuries this season. But let’s not forget that Juventus had to leave out of UEFA list Kwadwo Asamoah and Simone Padoin in September, so the addition of another quality player would mean that they will have to make some tough business decisions on either the Ghanaian international, Hernanes or Mario Lemina.
As for the Carpi game, there are the usual doubts about the lineup: on the flanks, Sami Khedira and in the attack. It looks like Massimiliano Allegri is now systematically rotating the four wing players, which is a wise move, so in this one Juan Cuadrado and Patrice Evra should start. The coach believes that returning players can gain rhythm only by playing few games in a row, so Khedira is likely to feature from the get go, but much depends on the conditions of his hamstring. Mario Mandzukic was give the day off in Coppa Italia, Paulo Dybala played only a portion of the game but scored anyway: this should be once again the starting duo. However, even if he did not score, the one against Torino was a very encouraging performance by Morata, with a lot of movement and a couple of sweet assists.
Hernanes has recovered from his injury, while Roberto Pereyra will return in the new year. Asamoah has recovered while Lemina remains out.
Probable lineup:
3-5-2: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Cuadrado, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala.
Injuries:
Pereyra (hamstring), Lemina (knee).
Suspended:
None.
Carpi
Carpi sit in 19th position, six points below the final spot that would guarantee the permanence in Serie A. After dominating last year’s Serie B, they are struggling in the top league and is easy to pinpoint why. Their style, an old school “catenaccio e contropiede” which means parking the bus and countering, has not worked in Serie A against superior attacks and organized defences. Also, their best players from last season, Jerry Mbakogu, Antonio Di Gaudio and Lorenzo Pasciuti, have not been effective.
Furthermore, they had a messy reinforcement campaign, adding a bunch of young players that have barely seen the field, let alone contributed. The sporting director Sean Sogliano quickly fired Fabrizio Castori after few poor results in a row to hire his man Giuseppe Sannino, a move that made no difference whatsoever. Now Castori is back and Sogliano has been sacked. What was a very quiet and traditional reality in Serie B last season now looks like a dysfunctional organization.
They have not won many games at home, but at least they have been scrappy and hard to score on. They have bottled up both Milan and Napoli and put up a good fight against Fiorentina and Inter. At home, they seem to have recaptured their defensive mentality, therefore it will take a lot of patience. They are not irresistible by any stretch, but you have to bring it and not go into the game thinking that it will be a cupcake.
Castori has tried different formations and most recently has installed a 4-4-1-1 integrating many of last year’s players with some veterans, which is what they should have done from the beginning. In the defence, they have moved away from Gabriel Silva, using Cristian Zaccardo and Gaetano Letizia, easily their best player this season, as right backs and Simone Romagnoli and Riccardo Gagliolo as the centre-backs. The returning Nicolas Spolli could replace one of the two.
Pasciuti and Martinho have been the wingers in the last two games, but Di Gaudio could have earned himself the starting job by scoring against Fiorentina in Coppa Italia. In the midfield, Luca Marrone and Isaac Cofie battle out to play alongside Lorenzo Lollo. Most of the doubts lie in the attack, where they can really use any of the combinations between Marco Borriello, Jerry Mbakogu, Ryder Matos and Kevin Lasagna. At this stage, Borriello-Lasagna is the likely pair. Using Matos would allow them to have more flexibility as he can play also on the flank, with Martinho sliding in the middle to form a 4-5-1.
Matte Fedele and Igor Bubnjic have torn ACLs early in the season, while Federico Gino, Gaspar Iniguez and Wallace are no longer included in their future plans and they will respectively return to Defensor, Granada and Chelsea, therefore they probably will not even be on the bench.
Probable lineup:
4-4-1-1: Belec; Zaccardo, Romagnoli, Gagliolo, Letizia; Pasciuti, Cofie, Lollo, Di Gaudio; Lasagna; Borriello.
Injuries:
Bubnjic (knee), Fedele (knee).
Suspended:
None.
Formation
Poll
[socialpoll id=”2317599″]
Has Marrone’s stock fallen so low that he isnt even a starter for Carpi? Wow..
How did that happen? He was quality and potential to be a great holding midfielder
Started off in the first XI but then suffered yet another injury to his troublesome thigh, which kept him out of contention for close to 7 weeks. Luca has since returned to first team action yet has recently lost his place in the CDM role of a 4-4-1-1 which Carpi seem to use most often with the manager sticking with Cofie and Lollo of late. However Marrone did play in the coppa side which beat Fiorentina mid-week. Such a shame he suffers from so many muscle injuries for he has often looked classy when given the chance by both manager and his body, to perform at a high level.
Thanks for the preview, Enrico. Always a joy to dive into when they appear!
I’m hopeful that Allegri plays Sandro with Lichsteiner, which is our strongest LWB/RWB combination. Cuadrado is unable to defend with any potency which is why he is less of a risk when Evra plays on the opposite flank for the Frenchman is far more naturally defensive than offensive. And can tuck in seamlessly as a LB as Barzagli covers the RB zone when Cuadrado flies forward. The reverse is true, to a degree, with Lichsteiner and Sandro. Lichsteiner is very comfortable as a RB and also loves to get forward, whereas Sandro seems at his best when going forward and making inroads into the final third or putting great crosses into the box.
This is the first match for a while which I will be able to watch live. I hope it proves a continuation of our steadily improving form.
forza juve
I think thats a good shout. Last game of the year and all, you’d hope that we can throw everything at them and get a straightforward 3 points (no disrespect to Carpi).
Would like to see young Daniele play again today, even if it’s just a cameo – whatever minutes he can get right now are a bonus.
Win today and it’s 7/7 in the league which is an impressive feat given where we were just a few months back. The momentum is with us ahead of 2016 which is going to be a trying and testing year.
There is going to come a time when at least one of our starting CBs are injured or suspended. And with Caceres likely to be sent onto new pastures in January, we will be left with solely Rugani to step into the first XI. Which suggests a lack of depth in the squad, vis-a-vis centreback options. Perhaps we will bring one in when Martin leaves (seems a few clubs are interested in his services), failing which, what happens if we lose two of the 3 CBs? Who can step in there? Romagna from the primavera seems an option, but we rarely rely on youth players in any capacity.
What was most encouraging from the mauling of Torino was not just how we finally managed to completely control a game, but the passion shown to the club by Pogba and Dybala with their respective messages on vests routines. Its great to see such devotion to the shared cause.
It makes sense to give Rugani more playing time, especially in games where we seem to be in control. By no means though, underestimate Carpi. They play a classical catenaccio, know how to defend and are set up to pounce on the counter, which is where we were suffering the most during our recent dark days. Their confidence will be sky high after beating Fiorentina. And they will be pumped up, in front of their own fans, in likely a fixture which will seem like a cup final.
Agree with you 100% on this – I think at the start of the season, perhaps the idea was to move away from the dependency of 3 CB’s? Push on with a 4-3-1-2 including our shiny new attacking mid in the shape of Hernanes. That didn;t work out so as much as Allegri has tried, including using that 4-3-3/3-5-2 hybrid, it seems 3-5-2 is the way we are going to continue playing…
…..which leads right into your point RE: 3 CB’s and losing Caceres in the winter. Having Ogbonna around was worthwhile because he could jump into one of those roles, along with Caceres. Shame we lost him.
Thoughts now are….how can we continue to play this way and risk injury to one of those 3 CB’s without adequete cover? perhaps Martin stays ? Who knows
Right on regarding Carpi amico – They are fielding a 4-5-1 today – bodies behind the ball…..
Spot on, Chief…Allegri likes a trequartista, as he moved towards last season, when possible. Draxler may well have made a major difference. Hernanes was the last minute back-up which hasn’t, as of yet, worked out well. Yet as I have written and repeated, Hernanes was playing in a side without confidence or belief. I am interested in what happens when he returns, especially as Pereyra will also be in the reckoning. We don’t need 3 CBs unless playing Sandro and Lichsteiner. For a defensively minded option is required to counter balance the offensively minded opposite flank.
I must head indoors shortly to find a decent stream for the game, yet have found an unexpected re-acquainting routine with Mos Def….and KRS One…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JD6eKToxks
Which meshes well with my ‘recovery’ routine of chemical warfare waged upon my body and mind last night.
Still…I am in the same mind, regarding the lack of CB reserves. Its a risky game having only one reserve for 3 positions in the starting XI…Yet its working. So…time to bounce in my garden chair a little more with my hellhound by my feet, then head into my fox den and hunt out a stream.
I will return with a half time drunk/stoned blitz on matters on field…
forza juve
looking forward to it – Marotta rebuffed those Gundogan/Lavezzi etc rumours
Damn papers and their headlines….and as Mos rightly says ‘They all have ugly prints….’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JYMMRrmWpc
Evra should stay. What do you guys think?
yes, for sure. I head that he is not going to stay past the summer but i think he still has so much to offer us. His heart seems to be in Manchester though – Sounds like he wants to go back, perhaps because LVG is on his way out ? Perhaps there’s a role for him there ?
Sandro is the future, but an extra quality LB is so important.
And some totally different questions:
Calling all italian juve fans or everyone else,
have you guys ever seen the marvellous Il Conformista by B. Bertolucci?
Starting XI confirmed:
Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Cuadrado, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra, Mandzukic, Dybala.
Another bit of news that may or may not affect us – Bayern have confirmed that Carletto is taking over from Pep next summer.
some other news for the Australian Juventini: Juventus and Tottenham will visit Australia as part of the International Champions Cup in July
watching…with russian commentary, RED ARMY all the way…
Same here. After 2 seasons of Russian streams, I’m unbelievably used to it.
Lol same. I even started to learn Russian 😛
Carpi are scared…this isnt catenaccio, its fear…shame cuadrado/evra are playing, we would massacre this carpi mindfulness with sandro/lichsteiner
wow boriello scored
cuadrado under pressure is wretched. Bonucci proving he remains…out of form…turned with far too much ease. Undeserved, but a good pressure driven goal by plucky Carpi
GOOOOOL MARIO!
Fantastic build up, lol.
brilliant movement from Big Sami, who has been invisible, clearly not fit, dybala following up and Super Mario eh!@!!
That finish from the big man……that was a moment of utter beauty !
Really want Marchisio to score today. What was the last time he scored a goal for us?
hasn’;t scored this season i believe
Last time he scored was last season, 16th of may against inter in the league.
He doesnt score often, but he knows in which games to do it!
Belec getting rained on so far – They awake the beast – I read Allegri had a go at Bonucci when Juve were celebrating – he’s not happy with Leo’s defending so far
Big Leo was at fault for the goal, turned far too easily…Khedira is nowhere near fit. its like we are playing with ten.
time for Sturaro at HT i hope. Sami set up the goal but he’s struggling
spot on. Chief
Cuardrado is struggling too
MARIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
MARRIIIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
what I want to see now is DOMINANCE…
Midfield needs a change, we need to coast on out to victory but i won;t relax until we’ve scored at least another goal
HT report…The vodka is flowing, and I am more bothered than pleased with our performance thus far. Zero sign of Dybala…He needs to impose himself. He is the finest player, technically speaking, on the field. Khedira is way off match sharpness, did well for the Super Mario goal, other than which, has done nothing…We can afford to carry a flair merchant up top, but not a CM, sling him off for Sturaro. Carpi had one chance and scored…awful assist from Cuadrado, then schoolboy error from Bonucci. I remain, as I have been for some time, hopeful we do not spend any money on Cuadrado, for we are a more solid, enterprising, dangerous side, with Sandro/Lichsteiner.
Other than which…Claudio looks good as does Super Mario.
Subs? Khedira for Sturaro. Cuadrado for Lichsteiner. Evra for Sandro. I’d make all three…and I assume Allegri will do so, in a staggered manner.
More vodka…to help me try to make sense of the russian commentary of my sopcast stream.
1-2 is an OK result, but this is Carpi, one of the worst sides in our league. I hope Allegri moves us onto the front foot, to attack, to get goals, to own this game.
And…Bonucci either has instruction to not be the libero, or his confidence remains wrecked. Its Chiellini who is bringing the ball out and looking for long balls, not Big Leo…
If that helped i’d drink alot more foreign drinks.
agree with all you said – more goals needed, not a confidence-inducing performance, nor a good way to sign off the year – would like them to butcher them and send a message to the teams above.
Cuadrado…..i’d take him, if …. wait,…..
He will cost us 20m, when i’d prefer that 20m plus 5, to go towards Berardi…
stopped mid sentence as Pogba scored 🙂 was going to say no way is he wirth anything over 20m – thats madness
Great goals from Mandzukic. Turned this match around. I loved the control on his first goal.
pogbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Oh that pass sweeeet goal!!
Hard to believe there is a professional footballer named Lasagne…
Allegri must have read the fans comments, Rugani getting playing time again.
welcome move with the game won…forza Rugani
bring on Sandro or Lichsteiner, and we move to 1-4 or 1-5…
has to happen – games won, let them run riot
Can’t risk injuries though
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!! GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!
Too bad, disallowed…
Damn offside 🙁
Ref is a damn facist. How can you not allow that goal. Look at what it meant to him
hohoho! three yards offside, yet my heart feels your own roar, Rav!
saw it on the replay ! whole team looked offside …..but if only the gods had looked the other way
I’d rather have refs enforcing rules based on their beliefs (believing their own eyes, assistants, etc) than ones considering players feelings. 😛
good move. dybala has been ghost…Time for Morata to find the net.
other than the run for the first goal, Khedira has been woeful…absent…can carry an attacker, but not one of three CMs…
Surprised Allegri persisted with him for so much of the game – would have been nice to see him get a rest. He needs to recover 100%
he needs playing time to find sharpness, and when we are controlling and winning, perfect chance to give him the minutes he needs…so..now I wish to see either Sandro or Lichsteiner appear, or Zaza to mangle Carpi and plunder our 4th and 5th!
you got your wish ! Lichty on for a muddling Cuadrado.
jesus christ. talking about taking your mind of the game
Totally agree with Allegri there.
i love Allegri’s reaction though
appalling, ive been pondering is Leo been told to calm down or is he lacking confidence/ its the latter.
Havent been watching many Juve games at all, but i agree.
From past knowledge, Bonucci has always seemed one to struggle when confidence was low.
Wow….
That was a strange game.
Loved Allegris reaction!
Juventus 3-2 Bonnuci. Awful game from Khedira and Bonnuci, Rugani, Cuadrado were not that good either. Anyways 7th straight win FORZA JUVE!!
Bonucci needs a break. He has proven a liability this season, and whilst I do not get WHY, its besides the point, bring in Rugani, who doesnt seem 100% comfy in Barzagli shoes, yet who would??? Stick him in the Bonucci role, where I suspect we will see his best,,,
Zaza shouldve played. Not Morata
https://streamable.com/5zfg
to those who missed allegri’s reaction
This is what happened when Carpi nearly equalised
https://vine.co/v/iK16ab7TmYr
I wonder what he told them in the dressing room after this. I mean, we know what Conte would have done, but I don’t think we have seen Allegri being this mad before.
He said himself in the past that the team switch off before the result is assured – see that game earlier in the season v Frosinone. He will tear them to bits today, that much is guaranteed