- | Summer and General Pre-Season Talk and News | -

Imagine Moggi working with Marrota

Alex Sandro was great in the b2b ofc it was vs the primavera but still

Why didn't we play with asa or lemina?

From the highlights Higuain looked in a much better shape. What do you think Devi? I didn't watch the game.

Allegri seeks tactical fluidity as Juventus go for the treble...


With Juventus capturing the world's attention with their recent purchases in the transfer market, many wonder how Massimiliano Allegri will line up his men as they attempt to challenge for the treble once again.

When Antonio Conte arrived at Juve, he soon realised the 3-5-2 formation would offer his side defensive solidity as well as giving them attacking impetus. It was a shape that few believed in but Juventus executed to perfection, largely due to the players' sacrificial nature.

When Allegri arrived, he refused to change too much too quickly, highlighting his intelligence and patience. Instead, he chose to maintain the shape but also sought alternatives, deploying a 4-3-1-2 shape in Europe to ensure defensive solidity at the top with Arturo Vidal pressing as well as improving Juve's attacking game. The formation worked wonders against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid in the Champions League as the Bianconeri showed versatility and tactical intelligence, changing shapes depending on the task at hand.

Allegri acknowledged the merits of having a side that was tactically fluid to tackle different opponents. It is for this reason that Juventus have attacked the market with different ideas this summer. While the 3-5-2 formation remains Juve's bread and butter, the very shape that provides balance, Allegri and his directors have since sought out players capable of offering variety and who could play in different styles.

The reasoning is, in Europe, the Bianconeri must be more decisive going forward. Often, successful teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid attack with three men, doing their utmost to penetrate weak defences and score the necessary away goals. While both Miralem Pjanic and Paulo Dybala are happy to play as a second striker, there's also a chance Allegri will opt to play Gonzalo Higuain, Mario Mandzukic and Dybala all together as a trident. It would be reminiscent of the great Alessandro Del Piero, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Gianluca Vialli attack force of the mid 90s.


Finding the right balance will be difficult for Allegri who has so many options available to him. He could effectively play a 3-5-2, a 4-3-1-2 or even a 4-3-3. He has Dani Alves and Alex Sandro who can contribute to an effective attack or he can opt for Stephen Lichtsteiner or Patrice Evra should he look to play a more cautious game.

He can deploy Pjanic just in front of the defence and encourage the likes of Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio to make timely runs forward to attack the spaces or he can exploit Pjanic's creativity by playing him further forward, as a trequartista.

Then there's the possibility of utilising Marko Pjaca's extraordinary pace, be it in central areas or out wide. Should Juan Cuadrado return to the Italian champions, he too can expose weak oppositions with his pace and technique.

For the first time in a long time, the Old Lady does not only boast a balanced side but a team comprised of players who offer an infinite amount of tactical possibilities. This is the year of great expectations where a place in the semifinals of the Champions League should be achieved, a feat that can be accomplished if Allegri and his men remain open minded and flexible in their approach.

Yet in order to gain momentum, it's essential the Bianconeri start the Serie A season well unlike what they managed last year. Fiorentina will be the first challenge to overcome and based on recent friendlies, it may not be the most difficult of tasks.

In the Viola's recent match against Valencia, Paulo Sousa's side struggled defensively with the players committing several errors. The Spaniards soon realised that if they accelerated, they would expose Fiorentina's backline, creating chances for themselves. Too narrow at times, Sousa's men will need to find solutions should Juventus opt to play with speed in the wide areas.

In all likeliness, Allegri will depend upon the tried and tested 3-5-2 formation on Saturday evening. Alves is almost sure to start on the right meaning the coach is likely to deploy a more defensive option on the left, whether that be Evra or Kwadwo Asamoah to offer balance.

Up front it seems unlikely Higuain will be deployed from the start with Mandzukic and Dybala likely to take their place upfront. If Juventus remain humble yet confident and not surrender to the pressure of such high expectations, they might just achieve glory.