With Nicolò Rovella finally receiving a proper chance at Juventus, the young man may have to dispel Manuel Locatelli in order to lock himself a starting berth.
On Saturday, Barcelona dropped out of the scheduled friendly against Juventus in Santa Clara, California. Therefore, the Bianconeri held a training session at Levi’s stadium under the watchful eyes of Italian journalists.
So according to ilBianconero, Juventus coach Max Allegri ran a match between the ranks, with Locatelli and Rovella orchestrating the play for each side.
The objective was to maintain possession and complete the biggest number of passes. The two compatriots had instrumental roles in this regard while serving as deep-lying playmakers for the opposing teams.
So as the source explains, this in another indication of a brewing duel between the two Italians who will compete for a starting berth in front of the defense.
Juve FC say
Having served at Allegri’s court for the past two years, Locatelli might have the early advantage. The former Sassuolo man is also older and more experienced than his teammate.
However, Rovella might be a more natural Regista thanks to an elegant touch and an effortless ability to advance the play.
But despite what the report may suggest, Allegri should be able to field the two men in the same formation. After all, Locatelli started his career as a box-to-box midfielder while Rovella also served as a Mezzala on some occasions in the past.
Rovella is nowhere near a natural regista or even a regista, even though he’s pushed inot that role.
Same for Locatelli – he’s being pushed into being a regista, but he is nowhere near one.
Both of these guys’ quality is average at best, and don’t expect miracles from them.
Rovella is most certainly a pure regista and should inherit the position so that Locatelli an move further up the pitch. You question his ability because he has been playing out of position since he got to Juve. The issue isn’t the players in this one, it’s Max’s formations not being able to adjust to the talent on the roster.
I look forward to seeing this midfield with a true regista and allowing Locatelli, Rabiot, and Fagioli to be the more dynamic players they are. It’s the first time we have a glimmer of hope in the midfield since the MVP.
Rovella is most certainly not a regista little long a “pure” one.
There hasn’t been a pure regista ever since Pirlo hung up his boots.
The closest to a regista in world football today is Pjanic, and even he is close to hanging up his boots.
True, Locatelli occupies the regista role and tries to do it, but he isn’t a regista and never will. As for his overall quality, Locatelli isn’t anything more than a body in midfield and is average at best – far from Juve material player.
Max’s formations are aligned to strengthen the weeknesses and minimize the damage, hence the counter-attacking style, because Juve’s midfielders are really poor in quality (except for Pogba, but he isn’t fit 95% of the time).
Even then, the counter-attacking style isn’t quality because the said midfielders aren’t quick on the ball (quick in terms of thinking quick) and can’t execute the moves properly.
The only time Juve excelled in counter attacks was if Kostic/Cuadrado were able to run 80 meters with the ball at their feet, which no opposition lets them.
You look forward in vain, because there is no true regista anymore. Max tried with Paredes and failed miserably, Loca can’t shoot from outside of the box to save his life, while Rovella is too raw to even be considered starting material for Juve.
Best pray Pogba shakes off his fitness issue and starts playing, otherwise, don’t expect much from this crop of players.
Forgot to respond to this:
“glimmer of hope in the midfield since the MVP.”
MVP was at least 24 times better than the current crop of midfielders at Juve. They were world class, true world class players.
Rabiot, Fagioli, and Locatelli are average at best and wouldn’t even sit on the bench if MVP-P were in the lineup.
When Locatelli is on the field we either lose or tie guaranteed. He produces nothing. Doesnt matter what position either, he is slow and not clinical AT ALL. This team needs to simplify its play and put the ball in the net, I don’t get why Juve complicates the game so much. They are not experts when it comes to play-making ever since Ronaldo arrived and up until now.
Simple – the quality of Juve’s midfield is that of a mid-table Serie A club.
That’s why they can’t simplify matters and overcomplicate things.
Don’t expect much this season too.