Re: Juventus 2017/2018 Serie A and Coppa Italia thread

[rincon]

When does the Coppa start?

We need minutes for all these guys. It will be good to see Bentancur, Bernardeschi, Costa and Pjaca start together against some scrub team in CI.

[Luca]

When does the Coppa start?

We need minutes for all these guys. It will be good to see Bentancur, Bernardeschi, Costa and Pjaca start together against some scrub team in CI.

December 13 for us. I'd really like to see Howedes play, I thought it was a genius transfer, very Marotta esque. But I am also weary of incorporating defensive players into our scheme from different leagues as opposed to attackers. Our back line is usually always one of great chemistry and experience of playing so many games together

I'm very happy for Pjaca. It is bittersweet because there is even less opportunity for him than last year but these things sometimes sort themselves out

[rincon]

I don't see the Pjaca situation sorting itself out too well tbh.

Someone will have to end up going unless we do crazy levels of rotations but that's not gonna work out for long. Especially if we sign another midfielder next summer.

I think either Pjaca impresses a lot with his talent/promise and Cuadrado goes, or he will have to leave himself.

[Luca]

I don't see the Pjaca situation sorting itself out too well tbh.

Someone will have to end up going unless we do crazy levels of rotations but that's not gonna work out for long. Especially if we sign another midfielder next summer.

I think either Pjaca impresses a lot with his talent/promise and Cuadrado goes, or he will have to leave himself.

Those scenarios are exactly what I mean by sorting itself out, in this case. In a perfect world, all of our signings work out, our players develop and stay healthy but that's not how it goes. If Pjaca impresses, it is at the expense of someone else, be it form or injury. If he is unable to break through, it means we are producing well enough as it is and unfortunately he may have to move on for his own good

[rincon]

Apparently everyone is supposed to be fit by the time the international break is over. Good news.

[Warrior]

Someone will get injured during the break, if not i might buy a lottery ticket.

[Tomwin Lannister]

Apparently everyone is supposed to be fit by the time the international break is over. Good news.

4 injuries inbound.

[Andrew]

Can you also give an update on the J-boys performance out there ? When you got time.
Caldara, Mandragora, Lirola, Orsolini, Kean

I like to watch Atalanta because of how nice they play and that they have 3 of our players.

Caldara is a beast. He sat out a couple of games at the start because he, like the other U21 internationals, needed fitness due to a short preseason. Then he went back to being a sure starter and has beasted since. 2 goals already as well as he is great in the air. A rock for Atalanta.

Spinazzola had that irregular situation of trying to join us at all costs so he was left out at first. Then returned to his position as a starter and picked up where he left off last season. In a team where everyone performs well, he still shines. Just recently had 2 assists in A and EL. Gasperini didn't want to let him go as he was a key player, still is one.

Orsolini doesn't play much. Atalanta is not in a position so comfortable that they can rotate heavily. Their calendar was by far the worst one to start the season. Now that easier games are happening, he should get more time. When you see him come he looks like a bright young winger/forward. Can't say much else since he plays less than Szczesny.

Mandragora is also a starter. Crotone sucks so its not saying too much, but he is their best player. Its still important because he is a 20 yo whose career got interrupted by big injuries, so to come back as a starter and star of a Serie A team is big. Even if its a relegation candidate. He is the player with the most interceptions in the league, and near the top in tackles as well, just for some stats. From the newly loaned players he is doing the best, definitely a positive experience for his growth. Next season should see him in a better team if he doesn't return right away. At this level he could already start for most Serie A teams and look good. Its strange to say because they are 18th on the table, but Crotone don't actually play that badly and Mandragora is part of that. With a little bit better luck they would be a lot higher. Genoa, Cagliari and Verona do worse.

Kean plays a surprising amount of football. When you think that there is a 16 year difference between him and Pazzini its good that he is already getting good minutes. In his only full match he scored. I don't watch enough Verona to say more than that.

Lirola is another starter which is great. Sassuolo suck this season mostly because of Bucchi, he should get sacked soon unless he turns it around asap. Their squad merits a lot more, EDF's departure hit them hard. Lirola hasn't given a big jump in quality but he has improved in defense. I have the feeling if Sassuolo wasn't such a dysfunctional environment atm, we would be talking about a break out season for him.

Any news on Mattiello, brother ?

[rincon]

I assumed that Mattiello was never gonna be our player after all the injuries and time out. Haven't followed him.

[Warrior]

Was shit on wednesday, if this helps...

[Andrew]

Was shit on wednesday, if this helps...

[Luca]

Howedes has been training with the squad for some time now. I'd imagine he's close to fitness.

Against Benevento, I hope for some serious rotation, lets see some different ideas because this one way 4-2-3-1 is not always the end all.

Dybala reacted poorly after being substituted against Udinese and now against Sporting there are whispers in Italian media that he was pissed and threw his shin guards in disgust. I would love to see him benched, can't be acting like a little kid

[rincon]

The reports in the media are all bs. Its speculation based on nothing to just sell papers. He was pissed, he didn't do anything to anyone, he was just pissed. Its normal for the kind of frustrating game he had.

Still changes are expected against Benevento. Rugani should be back in it, I guess Licht will play. Costa and Bernardeschi, at least should start and both should play. Bentancur/Matuidi too.

Today the players from CL rested. The rest played a friendly that we won 6-0. Costa x2, Marchisio, Pjaca, Bentancur, Rugani.

[DeviAngel]

Pjaca amazed Max in todays friendly according to reports


watch at 0:56

https://mobile.twitter.com/juventusfcen/status/926199748830273537/video/1

The boys had their shooting boots on today in training

[Warrior]

Well, what kind of defending is this ? Serie P level seems about right

Glad to see Pjaca back. The knees look fine, but it's more of a long term problem, that reappears after a couple of months. A loan is appropriate if we want him to get some minutes on the field. Or maybe it's better to keep him so he can train with teammates and slowly be integrated. Idk...

About the Dybala Affair, believe it or not, i tend to think there is always an element of truth in those rumors. I also become less patient with shit like this over the years, he's not a club legend by any means. Would be careful and clever to put a 200M clause on him while relations are ok.

[rincon]

Can't get hyped about friendly training goals. I guess we'll see him in a few weeks if everything goes well.

Allegri said last week that he has to play with the primavera first.

Since we are playing Benevento at home, for sure one of the easiest games of the season on paper, I hope we see some experiments. Test out whatever Max is thinking. He may go for continuity, we've been lacking that, haven't started the same 11 twice in a row. It would make sense too, but I hope for more excitement in the lineup.

Gazzetta has an article today about Allegri's constant experiments. "Allegri is always in the lab" going through how he changed the system and players every season, how we start with one formation and end with another one as needs dictate. Always finding cool solutions.

Now they speculating on what he may do to revitalize our play, suggesting a 3-4-2-1 with Matuidi in defense. Saying how while he is not De Rossi 2012 level in quality or understanding of the role, his physicality, energy and speed might be good to have there.

They suggest:
Buffon; Chiellini, Matuidi, Barzagli(Rugani); Sandro, Khedira, Pjanic, Cuadrado; Mandzukic, Dybala; Higuain

So something like a Christmas tree with Matuidi slotting in defense and a winger/wingback (Cuadrado) instead of a fullback. They mention how Mandzukic could slot more centrally as needed, as Allegri said that he would be a good mezzala. Instead of staying all the way wide on the left. Leaving Sandro to go wide. In that case Dybala in theory wouldn't need to track back so much since he would have 4 "midfielders" around (Matuidi, Khedira, Pjanic, Mandzukic). And if he did then mandzukic can go forward.

Its an interesting setup. I don't love Matuidi as a third CB but it would be fun to try. Specially since that Mandzukic role would also be perfect for Bernardeschi.

[Warrior]

Matuidi is 5'10", rather have Licht there instead

Overall i think 3 cbs formations is a thing of the past, with the same players we could play a decent 4-3-1-2

But i agree about the idea of testing new tactics. Max cannot use the same dogmatic strategy all season long, especially when we leak goals every game and only the last 30 meters are hard to conquer.

[DeviAngel]

Healthy Howedes can give us the stability we lack in defense...

[juvealbanian]

We need to play him in that RB position instead of playing Sturaro there. At least Howedes is a pro footballer unlike Stu.

[Warrior]

Serie C is still professional

[rincon]

The fat one really got going after his disappointing start. 7 goals and 2 assists in the last 10 games.

Its great to have Higuain back in top form.

[Warrior]

The situation in national team, how will this influence our season in your opinions ?

[Luca]

It shouldn't because our players are professional but I feel like it really will

I think this will be Buffon's victory lap, I've got no expectations outside of Serie A

[Warrior]

It saddens me to see Gigi having an awful end of career... from lost CL to Bonucci's departure to Italy's non-qualification. Gets away of international football in absolute shame (i mean him being ashamed of himself) even after all he's done. At least the last 16 seasons of his career were more exciting than Inter's club history

About our season, i tend to be optimistic, to believe that inner rage will mutate into great results but i can't find any argument to prove my point.

[rincon]

I think we'll manage. This is without a doubt the worst they've had happen in the football world but we don't depend on them as much as we used to even if they are crushed.

Chiellini is the least emotional from them (at least from the outside) and he is incredible this season, was fantastic on monday too. Rugani should partner him, not Barzagli who looked like he was gonna suicide.

Buffon is too much of a beast and captain but if anything else, Szcezsny is there.

[Warrior]

Chiellini i don't think i ever saw him cry after a loss

Licht too though he didn't have as much drama in his career.

[Sponsored content]