Juventus' Dominant Defence Masks an Ailing Attack for Italian Champions

Though they once again sit at the top of Serie A, it has been far from an easy start to the season for Juventus. The Bianconeri currently enjoy a one-point advantage over AS Roma in second, but in truth, the reigning champions have laboured thus far.

Five straight league victories and a Champions League win over Malmo—all coming with clean sheets for a solid-looking defence—meant 2014-15 got off to the best possible start. Massimiliano Allegri made few noticeable changes to the side, continuing with the system that had proven so dominant over the three previous campaigns.

Then came the recent poor run of form; the 3-2 win over Roma before the international break has been followed by a draw with Sassuolo and Wednesday's defeat to Olympiacos. That loss was discussed here and pointed to a number of problems within the current setup.

There have been some minor alterations to the way the 3-5-2 framework was utilised under Antonio Conte, shifts in the patterns and runs from midfield and the wing-backs. Those tweaks have not affected the ability of the back line to shut out opponents; the defence has in fact improved in comparison to last term.

According to stats site WhoScored.com, Juventus have allowed just 7.4 shots a game, comfortably the lowest number in the league and a noticeable leap from their mark of 10.0 in 2013-14, per the same source.

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In turn, that has led to an extremely quiet start to the season for Gigi Buffon, Fox Soccer showing that no first-choice goalkeeper has faced fewer than the 12 shots on target the Italy captain has thus far. He has made just nine saves in seven appearances, a remarkable record that highlights the effectiveness of those charged with protecting him.

Further forward, however, demonstrates that this is a team beginning to show signs of real problems. The attack has stuttered its way through the first two months of 2014-15; with the exception of Carlos Tevez, the only forward to have netted a league goal is Alvaro Morata, whose lone strike was the final goal of a 3-0 win over Atalanta.

Sebastian Giovinco has seemingly failed to convince Allegri he is worthy of a place in the side, having made just one start and one brief substitute appearance. Kingsley Coman has featured in two games more than the Italian international, and despite looking sharp when on the field, he too has yet to register a goal.

The same is true of Fernando Llorente, and the struggling Spaniard’s performances were recently discussed in detail. While he continues to contribute in other ways, his lack of effectiveness in front of goal is clearly affecting both the player and his team.

Often looking bereft of confidence, Juventus need more from the former Bilbao star and his colleagues in the Bianconeri attack. Including Morata with the others is perhaps a little harsh, given the 22-year-old missed much of pre-season with an ankle injury.

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That will undoubtedly have contributed to his lack of end product, and an increase in playing time now that he is fit again should see him get back among the goals. He looked sharper against Olympiacos, and he refused to allow the heroic performance of the opposition goalkeeper to provide him with an alibi.

"I have to work harder to score goals," Morata told Sky Italia (h/t Football Italia). "The fact Roberto had a great performance was not an excuse.”

Fortunately, the collective struggles of the quartet have been offset by the aforementioned defensive solidity, as well as the irrepressible Tevez. With six goals in six league starts this term, the Argentinian striker has taken his tally to 25 in 40 Serie A appearances.

He also broke his Champions League duck against Malmo in September, ending a barren spell spanning almost five years. The 30-year-old has also weighed in with two assists, meaning he has been involved in a staggering 57 per cent of Juve’s 14 league goals this term.

Yet, as good as he has been in the colours of La Madama, Tevez cannot continue to carry her alone and desperately needs the other forwards to start finding the net. His misfiring team-mates must begin to contribute, and while Coman remains an unknown quantity at this level, Giovinco, Morata and Llorente have each proven their top-flight credentials in the past.

The former recorded a 15-goal, 11-assist campaign at Parma a few seasons ago, Morata managed eight goals in just over 500 minutes of action for Real Madrid last term and Llorente notched 16 times during his debut Serie A campaign. With the outcast Fabio Quagliarella having already scored in each of his last five appearances for cross-town rivals Torino, each striker at Juventus needs to find that form again.

A second-half formation change appeared to improve Juve's attacking impetus against Olympiacos, but what the Bianconeri need above all else are goals from the men paid to score them. Doing so will not only help Italian football’s Old Lady challenge for honours this term but vindicate this summer's decision to trust them.