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Juventus have ran the show this season, bornexplorer88 must be very pleased with his first year as Chairman.
So, why are they are such a devastating force at the moment?
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Antonio Conte has guided his side to 3 Serie A titles, 1 Champions League title, 1 Italian Cup and 1 Italian Super Cup, at the time of writing, destroying any side in their path. They had a plus 40 goal difference in the league alone where they wer also the league top goal scorers, not only thanks to the deadly partnership of Tevez and Llorente up front, but also because of their ability to keep clean sheets. So it’s at the back where we’ll start.
Gianluigi Buffon was between the sticks for the Old Lady for less time than expected last season as ages seems to catch up with him, despite his lack of appearances he was still looking as solid as ever. He is still capable of pulling out world-class saves, but his consistency was key to his continued presence, which makes you think how much longer will he be considered Juventus's number one. He has made key interventions this season, when available and he still remains captain and a key figure here at the Old Lady.
Away at Genoa was an example of this. At 0-0, inside the last 15 minutes, Juve conceded a penalty in a match where Genoa had frustrated them all game, and created chances of their own. Calaio stepped up, but was denied by Buffon low to his left. Buffon stepped up to deliver at a vital moment, and he has done this time and time again, but this season we may see less and less of Buffon on the field, as his ageing legs seem to be getting the better of him.
In front of him Conte chooses to operate with a back three in a 3-5-2 system. Juventus have good strength in depth here. Bonucci, Caceres, Chiellini and Barzagli can all fill any of the three roles across the back-line, with young Kurt Zouma providing additional cover. We have been told that this coming season will see shift as Zouma has proved himself and is likely to step ahead of ageing Barzagli, who still is very capable and will prove excellent cover.
All of these players have the attributes to play how Conte wants them to. They all are strong individuals in the air and on the ground, they posess excellent technique, and the flexibility and tactical awareness, a credit to Conte’s work with them.
Wide of the back three are the wing-backs, Lichtsteiner and De Ceglie, regularly featured but they were backed up by Santon and Alex Sandro. They all work tirelessly to provide defensive cover and width in attack. They’re tracking and communication with the wide centre backs allows the defensive unit to work as well as it does, and Juventus have rarely been exposed wide. Juventus have lost two of these players for the beginning of the season,
as De Ceglie was released due to medical reasons and Alex Sandro was snatched by PSG, for a mere £13m, a brilliant bargain, given Luke Shaw was valued at £75m or so...
The midfield three is made up of Andrea Pirlo, operating in a deeper position in front of the back three, with Pogba and Vidal in front of him. Cover was provided by Marchisio and Asamoah, who were both capable of playing any role in the three. But how will Juventus fair given both there reserves have left during the close season in seek of first team football.
Pirlo's magic was obviously key to this side, dictating the tempo, and providing options to the back three if the ball can’t be brought out. He makes it possible for the same attacking method to be used as his range of passing is exquisite, and he can receive the ball and quickly play in to the front men, both dropping off or in behind, or move it elsewhere.
He rarely gives away possession. Again the same issue sounds, just as it did for Buffon and bornexplorer88 has brought in some competition for Pirlo as he begins to wind down his career.
Vidal and Pogba both provide goals from midfield, are powerful players, and their defensive work is not taken for granted either. Pogba is capable of winning the ball in midfield, carrying it forward and scoring. The same is said of Vidal, and in tight matches, moments like that can make all the difference.
Up front Juventus arguably had the best strike partnership in Europe last season. Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente. Both can drop of the front line, or play on the last man. Both can hold the ball up back to goal, turn and shoot, or find their strike partner.
They seem to work well together, and make runs that compliment one another.
Will be interesting to see how there partnership fairs in La Liga as both leave for Spanish outfit, Real Betis for a combined fee of £80m.
AC Milan away is one example, Milan having matched Juventus, before Tevez lashed a volley in from outside the box to kill the match. He also scored a good goal on the turn at home to Torino in a move that encapsulated his sides attacking play. Caceres brought the ball into the opposition half, finding Asamoah wide on the left, who cut the ball low to the edge of the box, where Tevez had dropped of his marker, turned and fired into the bottom corner.
Juventus were the full package last season, but how will they fare given the amount of key players departed already in this preseason.
"We hope to hear from bornexplorer88 very soon, with his plans for this coming season and just a good old general chit chat."
Notable players that left the club are as follows:- Alex Sandro, Claudino Marchiso, Kwadwo Asamoah, Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.
Rumoured total fees receive exceed £200m.
