Juventus v AS Roma
Serie A Week 17 – Saturday, 17th December – 19:45 GMT – Juventus Stadium
Juventus
Despite not playing their best football, Juventus once again found a way to beat a tough opponent and come away with three points in the Derby della Mole. This time it was Gonzalo Higuain’s turn to play the role of hero: the second goal was aesthetically fantastic, a true gem from one of the best strikers in the world.
The score did not really reflect the course of the game: the Bianconeri started the game pretty well, but conceded on the first chance, where the whole left flank fell asleep and Andrea Belotti outmuscled Stephan Lichtsteiner in the box and netted a pretty header. It did not take long for Juventus to find the equalizer, thanks to a quick counter after a misplaced pass, with Mario Mandzukic feeding Higuain beautifully. In the second half, Torino had more intensity and created more chances, but failed to capitalize and at the end of the day, the Old Lady has simply too much quality and too many champions, especially if you expose your defence trying to score.
Higuain ended his Serie A drought in a big way and further good news came from Paulo Dybala, who was freaking untouchable in his short stint, creating havoc all over the field and single-handedly building the third goal. I do not know if he is ready to start: if you put a player in the XI you have to be ready to play him for the full game because some events may force your hand on the subs, but it is sweet to have him back and he seems to have embraced the role of the assist man. Mandzukic is obviously a very good forward, but his presence tends to hurt El Pipita a little bit and I think Higuain is a more lethal pure goal scorer, so probably there are tough times ahead for the Croatian striker, hopefully he will not pout and stay committed.
Miralem Pjanic only played a few minutes because of back spasms, but he did enter the game and scored so he should be good to go this week, as confirmed in the pre-game presser. I think that the 4-3-3 with Juan Cuadrado, Higuain and Mandzukic has weird geometrics even though it has been effective at times, especially when the Colombian winger has had good days, 4-3-1-2 is just more natural. There have been some reports about 3-4-1-2 to keep Pjanic in a more advanced position, but I am not sure Sami Khedira is apt for that scheme and Massimiliano Allegri would not drop him in a big game. The other doubt lies between Stefano Sturaro, Mario Lemina and Kwadwo Asamoah, but the Ghanaian is well behind.
Andrea Barzagli has practiced all week with the rest of the group, so if he does not have pain in the shoulder he could be shoehorned into the lineup because that type of injury is unlikely to have a setback. As of right now, Rugani, who struggled a little bit against Belotti at first but then adjusted well, is still the frontrunner, but Medhi Benatia is gaining steam and he is probably a better fit against Edin Dzeko. 3-5-2 is definitely on the table with Barzagli back, at that point Cuadrado would probably supplant Lichtsteiner on the right wing. The formation is more unpredictable than usual because it depends on the physical conditions of three different players, Dybala, Pjanic and Barzagli, so there are many variables. Also Marko Pjaca has re-joined the squad list after a lenghty absence due to a cracked fibula.
Daniele Rugani and Sturaro have both extended their contracts this week and reportedly Leonardo Bonucci and Paulo Dybala will be next. Both youngsters have expressed the desire to stay for many years, and while that is a no brainer for the centre-back, who has ton of potential and is already pretty good, many do not like Sturaro. He is not a great player and should definitely work on his first touch and technique, but right now Juventus do not have many Italian players and therefore he will be part of the picture going forward even though the midfield will probably be in flux in January and in the summer.
Probable lineup:
4-3-1-2: Buffon; Lichsteiner, Rugani, Chiellini, Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio, Sturaro; Pjanic; Mandzukic, Higuain.
Injuries:
Bonucci (hamstring), Alves (fibula), Mandragora (foot).
Suspensions:
None.
Roma
It took Roma some time, but in the end they clearly emerged as the second force of the League, something many expected them to be before the season. They are four points behind so they have a huge chance to close the gap and then aspire to the title. However, Juventus have won every Serie A game at the Stadium and also their last five trips to Turin all ended in defeat. They also do not have an elite record on the road.
There is no denying that they are playing pretty well. In the last game, they proved to have more difference makers than Milan and won in a very mature way, resisting well to the attacks of the opponent and eventually finding the right play. They have world class players in all areas and Luciano Spalletti has done a masterful job since coming back, tweaking his preferred tactic and adjusting to the players he has at his disposal.
Their ability to cope with difficulties has been outstanding: they have endured some tough injuries, but they have continued to perform at a high level because others stepped up. Being eliminated in the Champions League play-offs has derailed other teams’ seasons in the past, but they have played well in Europa League, where they are among the favourites.
Edin Dzeko has returned to his old Bundesliga self and has scored in bunches. It is also remarkable how a team that last year played noticeably better without a center-forward has learned how to feed him properly over and over again. He is obviously a physical presence, but he is also quite technical, decently mobile and very capable of connecting with the rest of the team.
Daniele De Rossi is having a throwback season, holding the fort in the midfield where they had to wait for Kevin Strootman to return to his best, and he is not 100% yet, and where Leandro Paredes and Gerson have not panned out as they hoped. Kostas Manolas is a top five Serie A defender and Radja Nainggolan, after a difficult start due to some nagging injuries, is coming along in a big way while playing as attacking midfielder and is also finding the back of the net consistently.
They should confirm their usual 4-2-3-1 even though at times they have explored 3-4-2-1 when they had a shortage of attackers. Diego Perotti will move to the right, where he is not as effective as on the left but still a very reliable source of good plays, while Stephan El Shaarawy will start on the left to cover the hole left by Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian winger has quickly recovered from an ankle sprain and will be healthy enough to be part of the squad: he could be a nice weapon once teams get tired in the second half.
Bruno Peres left the last game with an ankle injury: he resumed practicing with the rest of the group on Friday, but he is still unlikely to start and could be replaced by Emerson Palmieri or Juan Jesus. Obviously, they would not have the same offensive punch without both Alessandro Florenzi and the former Torino fullback. Federico Fazio has climbed the hierarchies thanks to some injuries, in particular the Thomas Vermaelen one, and he is a dependable complementary piece to Manolas as he is less blunder-prone than other options.
They will not be content with just sitting back and counter-attacking: they are a proactive team and will try to impose their tempo and dominate the ball possession, but they will not necessarily succeed as Juventus have usually managed to take control of games at home. The biggest threat come from the through balls by Perotti or De Rossi towards Dzeko, Nainggolan and El Shaarawy, so the offside trap will have to be on point. Differently from the past seasons, they now have an elite striker, therefore they are a much more pragmatic and physical team.
UPDATE: It looks like Salah has a chance to start in lieu of El Shaarawy.
Probable lineup:
4-2-3-1: Szczesny; Rudiger, Manolas, Fazio, Emerson; De Rossi, Strootman; Perotti, Nainggolan, El Shaarawy; Dzeko.
Injuries:
Florenzi (knee), Paredes (ankle), Totti, Lobont.
Suspensions:
None.
Formation
4:2
Looks like Witsel could be on his way this Jan after all:: https://www.football-italia.net/95772/hernani-takes-witsel-juve
Stefano was a fine player in his debut year for the club, played a prominent role in both league and cup competitions, and is only 23. We only have one other box to box midfielder in the squad, which is Marchisio. And we use him as a regista. When his most natural role used to be closer to a trequartista!
I do not feel Stefano has yet recovered fully from his ongoing injury concerns, which have plagued him since the Summer, but even as he works his way back to sharpness, admittedly slowly, I prefer him in the midfield to Asamoah or Lemina, for the former seems too far gone as a LWB to ever return to decent value in the middle, and the latter plays more passes sidewards and backwards than forwards and his shooting is appalling. What I have always admired about Sturaro is his grinta aligned with solid technique.
I agree that he has been far from consistently top drawer this term, but the same could be said of Chiellini, Lichsteiner, Asamoah, Lemina, Cuadrado and Mandzukic. His sharpness remains off, but with games, and hopefully a month or two fully injury free, we will once again see his blossoming talent early in 2017.
Another aspect of his game I enjoy is that he never fails to show. His presence is always felt, at both ends of the field. He has a superb engine and never seeks a break from play. I see him more along the lines of the club and coach – he already had a contract until 2019, the only need to offer him an extension was to remind him we value him, and see him as a long term part of our squad. The fact that he is italian is useful but we are not short of a bob or two and many players in Serie A aspire to join our ranks.
So, I will remain with Allegri and the rest of the management on the Sturaro story…I haven’t seen us over run in midfield as was often the case with Lemina included, since Stefano started his journey on the comeback trail, and I am pleased with the sensible decision to extend his contract, make him feel more valued and encourage him onto to greater exploits in our colours.
Zenith just signed Hernani, a CM, and so perhaps we will up our offer a little and Zenith will come down a little, and we can meet halfway, perhaps around 6.5-8m, which will be very welcome news indeed for our ambitions bother domestically and in Europe. He could potentially take up the CML role or deploy as the regista and allow Marchisio to head further forward. Bringing superb experience, quality on the ball, intelligence, strength and versatility, also some physicality and aerial prowess. Could prove a superb signing…
Well said poet. Stefano brings value to this Juve which few to none other actually do. He gives back to us the defensive phase which Vidal used to give us which in certain games is a must, like today.
Higuain omg!!!!!!!!!
Everything about that goal was PERFECT!
As much as many criticise Sturaro, one can´t deny he shines in the games that matter. So much heart in him. If he rises to the ocassion in big games who cares how he performas against minions?
really fantastic combative game from him, i was surprised like fuck, partly reminded me vidal, if he keeps performing like today he should be starter
yeah, his combativeness is his #1 asset, i also think the 4-3-1-2 suits him better, because it is more akin or reminiscent to the way Vidal used to be deployed.
Vidal used to be the spearhead of the diamond somewhat slotted in Pjanic´s position meaning he would be the 1st defender since neither Tevez nor Llorente committed full time to recovering balls. But also since his attacking prowess was superb (creative role, runs into space, position swaps with forwards, headers, long shots). he would complete a deadly three men offense, forget about midfield altogether when he recovered balls high up the pitch catching opposition with pants down, or add to it midfield when Pirlo would send a wide long ball to Lichsteiner who would supply a cross for Llorente or guess who: Vidal who would score headers from the penalty spot or some other impossible angle.
Right now we have Vidal´s role split into 2 to 3 men.
– Khedira does the run into space alternating positions with #9 (Llorente/Higuaín) or the 2nd Striker (Tevez/Dybala).
– Pjanic sort of “does” the creative role
– Sturaro does the defensive phase box to box role
When Vidal was here he used to do all that himself.
Add to that his clinical penalty kicks, Boy Arturo himself would feel nostalgia of his years at Juve, his best days were with us. He is just another dude at Bayern.
Max himself acknowledged it and praised him after the match, that Sturaro performed a la Vidal.
Today´s approach was masterful. Literallly I had not seen Juve apply as much high pressure high up the pitch in years as they did today, today I saw a high preessure I had not seen ina long long time. Coordinated, Aggressive, and effective. Partially thanks to the 4◊2 which gives us an extra player in more advanced positions, but mainly because of the team effort and determination. Today everyone of them seemed to be a different version of Sturaro which epitomises the last days of criticism with a display to silence his critics.
I love it! What a performance! Not perfect but an excellent game. The whole team showed determination, grinta, heart, togetherness, teamwork. This is the Juve that will take us far both in Serie A and UCL. Thank God.
4◊2 must be our default setup, and we are getting closer to a defined 11.
More goals Juve! More fucking goals! Juan damn u!
…and what a goal from Higuain!, he is a raging bull, . what defender dares to fight him? he might repent from even trying. Higuaín is a beast! 100 mill well spent. De Rossi is a gladiator, still he crumbled hopelessly after Gonzalo run him over.
What a game. Rugani masterful in the back 4. With Chellini. Sturaro denied 2 goals but he was man of the match. All players played well very well. We are a very strong club. Hope injuries will stay at bay cause next year its gonna be the year. Fingers crossed.
Massive performance required, massive performance given. The team set the tempo from the beginning – Roma tried to pressure us, tried to get into their stride….we slapped them back into their own half and continued to dominate early on.
Really impressed by Sturaro and rugani – Contract extensions obviously paid off, and the timing was impeccable by Marotta. Sturaro in particular was a beast, Rugani elegant, never gave Dzeko any space – Considering he’s the leading scorer in Serie A, he was largely MIA, thanks to Giorgio and Daniele.
Higuain’s goal……a beauty – so well taken, such a lovely finish. Pipita could have had a hattrick. Such a great way to end the domestic season – 7 points clear having seen off our biggest rival for the title.
Hoping Pjanic is ok and ready for the SuperCoppa next week – Perfect end to the year would be to lift that trophy and let the boys relax for a couple of weeks.
FORZA JUVE !