Juventus v Lazio
Serie A Week 21 – Sunday, 22nd January – 11:30 GMT – Juventus Stadium
Juventus
Once again, Juventus came up short on the road after playing a midweek game. Granted that three of those four losses came against fiery opponents, this has become a troublesome trend. It must have something to do with mental energies or preparation because nowadays, everybody is accustomed to playing every three days. Whatever the reason was, the squad sleepwalked through the first hour of the games, conceding two avoidable goals against an enemy that looked more energetic, more focused and more motivated. The Gonzalo Higuain goal allowed us to have a chance to tie in the final portion but it was too little too late.
The painful loss sparked an intense debate among Juventini. Has 3-5-2 run its course? It is clear that we perform better with three midfielders and Miralem Pjanic as no.10 and when he is not out there, the deficit in creativity is appalling and most of the play-making falls on the shoulders of Paulo Dybala, which is pretty unfair. No wonder that he misses sitters when he has to carry the water up and down the pitch for the whole game. The midfield does not seem to have any juice: Sami Khedira has not been the same after an excellent start and Claudio Marchisio is coming off a tough injury, while the others do not really move the needle. A quality reinforcement might be necessary.
If Massimiliano Allegri does not think that the Bosnian can play in a three-man midfield, he is unlikely to utilize 3-5-2 when he has the full team at disposal. However, the roster is built and has depth only with that scheme. Pjanic, Juan Cuadrado and Marko Pjaca allow to explore other solutions, but only short-term ones: you can not fit Dybala in a 4-2-3-1 or Pjanic in a 4-4-2 or either in a 4-3-3. It is not an ideal situation for the coaching staff, but it has to find a solution to make it work. 4-3-2-1 is a good enough compromise: I think it is ideal for a squad to stick to a formation and move away from it as little as possible. This tactic forces Pjanic, Dybala, Cuadrado and Pjaca to adapt to new and slightly different positions compared to what they are used to, but I do not really see an alternative.
The BBC had a very poor game against Fiorentina and they struggled to control Nikola Kalinic and company, even though they were not outnumbered. Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci are still working their way back from lengthy injuries and unfortunately I do not think Giorgio Chiellini has had one of those vintage games where he just physically manhandles opponents this season. Maybe it is a matter of conditioning, maybe it is a matter of age, but the defence, while still being the class of the league, has conceded more goals than in the past. It will be interesting to see who is chosen on Sunday now that everybody is available and 4-3-2-1, or whatever you want to call it, is likely to be the way to go. Daniele Rugani also had a couple of really good outings while others were sidelined. Alex Sandro and Stefano Sturaro are suspended for this one, but Stephan Lichtsteiner returns. Kwadwo Asamoah and Tomas Rincon are set to start. There are some reports indicating that 3-5-2 could be the choice again, with Pjanic as box-to-box midfielder, but I am honestly very sceptical about that.
Juventus have won all the domestic games played at the Stadium so far this season and it would be nice to keep the streak going: the theoretical gap over Roma is now four points and it was unfortunate to see it reduced now that Champions League football is right around the corner. This should be a period where the team pushes on the pedal and tries to break away from the pack, but it has not really worked out that way so far. I still think Bianconeri will have no problems for Scudetto, but it would be nice to not make it difficult and to be able to focus on the later stages of the big-eared cup without the anxiety of having to give top performances on weekends as well.
UPDATE: Marchisio is dealing with muscle fatigue and will not play: Hernanes is likely to replace him, but his absence opens the door for some tactical surprises, considering the shortage of avaliable midfielders. Patrice Evra is out and definitely on his way out considering the coach’s words. Mario Lemina has returned from Gabon and will be evaluated for a back injury. Dani Alves is back in the squad list.
Probable lineup:
4-3-2-1: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Asamoah; Khedira, Hernanes, Rincon; Dybala, Pjanic; Higuain
Injuries:
Marchisio (hamstring), Lemina (back), Evra, Benatia (AFCON), Mandragora (foot), Mattiello (nose).
Suspensions:
Sandro, Sturaro.
Lazio
Lazio are enjoying a very prolific season: they are in fourth position, one point behind Napoli and four points behind Roma. They won four out of their five games, with the one loss being a stinker at San Siro against Inter, where they collapsed in the second half. Their road record is above average. They are pretty much flying under the radar.
Simone Inzaghi has juggled with a couple of lineups this season and they are very flexible as he usually privileges picking the players and tailoring a scheme around them rather than the other way around. He is dealing with a couple of problems: Senad Lulic is disqualified, while Dusan Basta has muscle fatigue and is unlikely to recover in time. Also Seydou Keita is in Gabon to play AFCON. They will be down three starters and so there will be some adjustments.
Besides Keita’s sheer talent, Lulic’s absence in particular is a big one because of his versatility: he can play LB, LWB, CM and LW without skipping a beat. They have used 3-4-2-1 in the most recent games, but they do not really have an alternative on the left flank other than adapting Patric, but that would cause an unwanted ripple effect that would force their hands, so they are likely to opt for a more natural 4-3-3. Felipe Anderson has done OK as RWB even though I do not like him there, but they are set to use him in the trident. A super defensive option would include three pure centre-backs, Patric as RWB and Stefan Radu as LWB, with Anderson and Alberto behind Ciro Immobile up front.
There are a couple of doubts regarding the starting lineup: Inzaghi has rotated Wallace, Bastos and Wesley Hoedt as Stefan De Vrij’s partner in the heart of the defence. Neither is a great option but they all had their moments: the first two are very physical. Wallace seems to have a slight edge at this points. With Keita in Africa, they have a couple options on the wings: Luis Alberto, whom they acquired this summer but has not done much all season until recently, or Cristiano Lombardi, a product of their youth system who was set to leave on loan this summer but that Inzaghi decided to keep and has had some nice games. Alberto plays mostly on the left while Lombardi on the right, but that is not an issue because Anderson is effective on both flanks.
Ciro Immobile has scored 11 goals this season and in his career he has always thrived when he has been the focal point of a team. His work on the offside line is commendable and he is a very good finisher. He has recently broken a two-month drought. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the other player to keep an eye on: his performances have improved dramatically when he was moved to a more advanced position and his combination of size and technique is a handful for defenders. He will have to slide back because of Lulic’s unavailability, but his cuts will have to be tightly guarded.
They are in general a physical team and they have scored a lot on set pieces. Anderson and Lucas Biglia are the two main sources of playmaking, with the rest of the team feeding off them. There is a nice harmony in their playing style, where everybody seems to know his role. Their defence is not that quick and can be exposed with fast attacks, but on the other hand the counter-attacking game is definitely an arrow in their quiver.
Probable lineup:
4-3-3: Marchetti; Patric, Wallace, De Vrij, Radu; Parolo, Biglia, Milinkovic; Anderson, Immobile, Alberto.
Out:
Keita (AFCON).
Suspensions:
Lulic.
Formation
Anything that isnt victory will be like a huge “start” signal for teams like Roma, Napoli and Milan that the Scudetto race is open again.
Good thing we play this one at home
Marchisio is out.Lets hope the others perform.The league is far from closed. If we dip in performance the others are right behind.
Allegri appears to have gone berserk…
Buffon
Lichsteiner Bonucci Chiellini Asamoah
Khedira Pjanic
Cuadrado Dybala Mandzukic
Higuain
JUVENTUS (4-2-3-1): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Asamoah; Khedira, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain.
A disp. Neto, Audero, Dani Alves, Barzagli, Rugani, Rincon, Pjaca, Hernanes.
I guess that is one way to avoid playing Hernanes. Yet bringing in Cuadrado with no Sandro to add width on the left, with Mandzukic the counterbalance?
I doubt it will look 4-2-3-1 on the field. And yet I am tempted to now stay up for this one, despite my intense fatigue after hosting a small gathering here in the garden last night and ranting and raving until 3am…Still, its been a while since I saw a game live, so I should push myself.
This is a very offensive formation. I will be keen on seeing Sami stay deep, but other than the German, who shield the defence and who plays in midfield? It could end up looking more a 4-1-3-2.
I am so looking forward to this. 🙂
Well, if the midfield isn’t up to the task, just play attackers and defenders…why not roll the dice eh?
I’ll be honest, I love the audacity of this. I hope it pays off. Unfortunately at work so I can’t watch the game
South America U20 Championship UPDATE –
Brazilian wingback Rogerio came on as a sub for the last have hour of the 0-1 victory over Ecuador, then played the full 90 in the 0-0 stalemate with Chile.
Uruguayan CM Bentancur played the full game in his side’s opening 0-0 draw with Venezuala, also started but was sent off late on for his second yellow in the feisty 3-3 encounter with the Argies…
If Uruguay do not get through, it perhaps raises the chances of us bringing Bentancur to Piedmont this month, or in February. For those unaware…Rodrigo Bentancur was one of the players whom we took an option to purchase as part of the Tevez deal to Boca. I think it is a 9.4m fee, which will take before the April 20th deadline.
Anyone got an english commentary link to a stream? I focusing on sopcast…russian will do fine, probably less irritating than the bein sports ghouls. Yet if a decent english stream is available, please share.
If you are in need you can always try livetv.sx (russian side) with sopcast links etc.
Though I love the idea of the 4-2-3-1 experiment, I do wonder why Allegri opts to field Mandzukic in a wide role. Why not Pjanic as trequartista and move Dybala to the the left? Then add in Sturaro or Rincon to play next to Khedira and keep Mandzukic on the bench. I think it would be better suited for Pjanic most of all and it would be the more “natural” position for all players
At least, that is what I would do in such a formation. Mandzukic in a wide role seems so odd, though he has played it before his Juve days I believe.
Seems to be going rather well, all 4 of the front men have either an assist or a goal already!
So far so good…hardly a world class performance, but with so may offensive players on the field, we look like scoring every time we get near their box. Great to see that hunger and drive back. Chasing every ball…Lazio have had barely a sniff.
Manzu is sacrificing a lot. We are too hectic we miss simple passes. We can do a lot better. I would insert sturaro opt out caud for a more conventional 433
Agreed. Some muscle and hustle. Juan produced a brilliant cross for the second, other than which he has done very little…but…his pace keeps the Lazio rearguard sitting deep, which helps our game.
Still we could use manzu upfront making the assist protecting the ball win the free kick. Its what he does best.
He is doing a wicked job in the middle. We have no flying left back, as Sandro is dead…Asamoah needs support and he has it. So far, a wise choice from Allegri…
I would like to see Pjaca given a solid half hour. Also Rincon or STuraro come in for Cuadrado.
We are far from excellent cuad is irritating sometimes
This team is good. Thank you Juve for making it worth staying up until 330 am.
I’ve been inactive for a few weeks, turns out i missed on a huge discussion. The logo change kinda saddens me… It looks stupid, i love the logo we have now. I saw Peter already said this, but whats next? Changing the club name to J Football Club? Or J Corporation?… This is not just changing our logo but our identity imo.
Atleast we’re winning a match. The Fiorentina loss was horrible.
we are playing well, mate…unlucky not to be 3-0 up. SO far, and I mean really just so far, for we have a habit of dropping off, we have been vastly superior to a decent Lazio who seem all at sea…the proof in the pudding will be how we approach the 2nd half. We simply need to get the ball forward, and keep scrapping, being first to every ball. Can’t get the ball? Take the player. Any team, as Nedved said recently, who is first to every ball, tends to win more often…its a chance to make a statement, much needed. We have done half the job. Do we finish it now or sit back?
Juve are lucky my name starts with J or id have a mouth full for them… I mean i already do, but an even bigger mouth full
did we really play 4231? damn i missed the match, didnt know we play so early.how did we play?
At home we are nearly unbeatable. There was a fantastic atmosphere at the stadium. I think we could play better. But overall it could have finished 4 0
what about pjanic? how did he play in 2men mid? or mandzu on LW?damn this match time made me angry few times already
Having so many upfield players did not mean we had a two men midfield it was more like 4411. Manzu you could find him everywhere deep in defence and foward. caud and dybala the same. When first class players have the ball you notice!! its a pleasure to see higuain dybala pjanic dialouge with the ball. Pjanic rarely miss something. And those through balls i remember one to manzu today.Im my opinion it could have been easily a 433 today starting sturaro rincon instead of cuad keeping mario upfront as i said in my comments below. However the most important thing is that we won. Now i want to see this formation on away soil ahead fo the champions league.
Watching extended highlights of match today Pjanic barely featured in any of the attacks close to opponents goal except the last few minutes when he played in Pjaca. Otherwise he was absent. So he is not providing the ammunition for the strikers, which he should be surely as his main strength.
i dont know what to think about him, looks like lost soul, hopefuly he will deliver soon or fuck it and sell him over summer and get tielemans from anderlecht, i heard about swap deal sanchez-pjanic
Miralem PJANIC 6,5 – 82 passaggi riusciti sugli 85 tentati, cinque tackle vinti su 6, ben 5 anticipi. Al netto degli esaltanti numeri,
punto di riferimento prezioso e costante per in compagni in sala macchine.
You understand italian if no i translate. Are you kiddin??
translate pls
82 successful passes out of 85 5 won tackles out of 6.An important piont of reference for the whole team. Eurosport.
i think he can do even better lol
He is not lost believe me. Well see what the poet gives him. For me 6.5 is fair.
Oh i forgot 5 interceptions as well. Sorry;)
Yes, but that is not the point I was making. If you can watch the Juve attacks without him featuring then he is not influencing the attack enough. He should be.
To me Pjanic took the role of an late Pirlo, playing cleverly just infront of the defense. He was always available for a pass which might also explain his statistics. All in all good, but the questions remains is that where he should play? I mean, he defensive skills are far from great.
5 interceptions and 5 tackles won tell a different story. Btw the poet gave him a 7.
I agree that he had a good defensive game, but lets agree that he is not a DM of heart
Of course he is not.
thats why he needs some pitbull next him, to cover him, we would have 5defensive and 5 offensive players , pretry balanced
A good performance. Not remember buffon touching the ball. Pjaca last 5 min had to score 2. I hope i dont see the 352 again. Somtimes too hectic. Manzu player of the match. For his effort .
Love how Allegri just went straight for attack and didn;t hold back until the 80th minute. Great display from the lads, Mandzukic in particular was everywhere. Dybala back in the goals, Higuain 7 in 5 games…..Pjaca impressed in a brief cameo…..hopefully back on track. I;d hope we play this way in every game – Go all out and get the early goals then shore up the midfield and switch defends and give Pjaca a chance to run at them.
Milan will be an interesting test…..really hope we punish them severely.
Hope we will not field Hernanes against Milan. We need continuity than take off some players if you wish during the match. We need to prepare for the CL. Im sorry for the lad but he is fortunate enough having his shirt on. I dont believe Hernanes quality speaks Juventus.
Hernanes was purchased as he had best midfield passing stats in Serie A for Inter. He has played as well as any of our midfield this season.That is not saying much as our mf has sucked many games in total, but worth bearing in mind if we are wielding the axe!
I heard on news he is on the way to Turkey. Let me add he was purchased last minute in that dreadful Draxler summer telenovela. I think we purchased as we were one short. Hernanes at Lazio yes that was a wonder to see.
Max does not buy players though Eric, and Hernanes is not to blame for transfer screwups. He can only do his best. Max’s tantrum after Supercoppa probably let slip a frustration that he simply does not have the quality he wants in midfield. He plays formations to best utilise the players he has. Fact is we don’t have Messi like talent available in central role. The best workhorse in first half of season upto Caudio returning was Hernanes. Neither Asamoah, Sami, Mario L or Pjanic have blown the world away anymore than Hernanes. Max can only do the best with what he has, and Hernanes has in dm role played some good matches with better distribution and passing than ANY of the other midfielders. His performances have helped us get some results that otherwise we would not have. I don’t see him as a failure for us in that respect, especially for a cheap purchase. No more of a failure than Sami K has been in many matches anyhow.
We dont share the same piont of view thats all. In squad we had one dm back in the day which was pirlo that acted like a regista. Hernanes was brought in to play behind the strikers as he did in his lazio days. Right now even Marchisio is not a Dm he is a Cm like Sami Lemina Rincon and Sturaro. Pjanic is more Am. In my opinion :). Not even Hernanes is a Dm.But agree when not under pressure he delivers quite well and suit the position better than others. Also i would not use a tactic that uses a Dm if i have no natural player.
Fifa stats have Pjanic listed under DM category. Make of that what you will!
AS Monaco already scored 64! goals in 21 matches, impressive stats