Maurizio Sarri believes Juventus need to be able to play both 4-3-3 and 4-3-1-2 to maintain their tactical versatility.
Alfredo Donnarumma put the hosts ahead before a Chancellor own goal and Miralem Pjanic volley turned the game in Juve’s favour.
The Bianconeri switched formation with the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, opting for a 4-3-1-2 instead of the traditional 4-3-3.
“We improved a great deal in our passing and had more control of the game, but we need to improve in our defending. I saw steps forward in the way we created chances too, as there were basically three goal-line clearances and it wasn’t easy after going behind within four minutes in a passionate atmosphere,” Sarri told DAZN.
“I think we need to be ready for both tactics right now. We have some problems with the full-backs and a lot of attacking midfielders, so it seems wise to make the most of the resources at our disposal.
“If later in the season our full-backs are all in great shape, then we can reconsider the approach, but it’s important to be prepared for all scenarios.
“I had already been thinking about introducing Juan Cuadrado for the second half at right-back, but it was rushed by Danilo’s injury this evening.
“At the start of the season, Douglas Costa was the one making the difference and I wanted to make the most of that form. Paulo Dybala was doing well recently, so it was right to use him tonight.
“With the trequartista, Aaron Ramsey is best suited to the role right now, while there’s also Rabiot. In some games, I am convinced Dybala can also help us out as a trequartista, although I prefer him a few metres further forward.
“Dybala showed a lot of quality, did well in combining at pace with Ramsey, he went off with a slight knock and we’ll see how he’s doing.
“Matthijs De Ligt is growing, we need a little patience. He is very young, came from a very different style of football at Ajax. He is phenomenal, but not ready yet. Don’t forget Kalidou Koulibaly struggled a little in the first few months of Serie A with Napoli too.
“We’ve lost a charismatic player in defence like Giorgio Chiellini, then Mattia De Sciglio and today Danilo. At times we are vulnerable in defence as a team and not just because of the defenders. I want to see the goal we conceded tonight, but I don’t think it was entirely the fault of the back four.”
[Translation from football Italia]
