Juventus Analysis: Back 4 Appears Here to Stay, and so It Should!

Massimiliano Allegri arrived at Juventus this summer, inheriting a side which had won three consecutive league titles in increasingly impressive fashion. His chances of improving on the work of Antonio Conte appeared slim, so the coach made the intelligent decision to change as little as possible.

He retained the 3-5-2 which was central to the success of his predecessor, continuing with the tactics which had seen the Bianconeri sweep all before them on the peninsula. He was rewarded with an impressive start, his new side reeling off six straight victories, achieved without conceding a single goal.

While a visit to the Vicente Calderon saw Atletico Madrid hand Allegri his first defeat since moving to Turin, the team responded with a win over closest rivals Roma. However, following that controversial fixture, Juve went on a poor run of results, losing to Olympiacos and Genoa, while failing to impress in meetings with Palermo and Empoli.

The coach knew something must be done and acted quickly, switching to a 4-3-1-2 formation for the return match with the Greek champions. A narrow 3-2 triumph saw the Bianconeri struggling to adapt, but Allegri insisted he would use his new system as the side prepared for their next fixture against Parma.

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

“I had decided from the summer to maintain the old system,” he told reporters at his pre-match press conference (h/t Football Italia). “But now I think it’s time to shake up the squad." His players would ensure he would be proven correct in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 7-0 win.

That thrashing of Roberto Donadoni’s side was comfortably the most impressive display of the season, with the new-look Juventus dominant for the entire 90 minutes. Fernando Llorente, Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata would each net twice, the switch working particularly well for the previously stuttering attack.

The other goal was scored by Stephan Lichtsteiner, who also added two assists in a fine display from the Swiss right-back. He was one of a number of players to impress, and the club’s director general was insistent that Allegri was responsible for the sudden transformation in form.

“Allegri has chosen a system that allows him to hone his players’ skills,” Beppe Marotta told reporters at a publicity event last week (h/t Football Italia), and that is undoubtedly more important than the impressive win over Parma.

Even in those early matches, a number of Juventus players underperformed, and that changed against Parma and Olympiacos. While it may only be two matches, the marked improvement seen from Lichtsteiner was also evident in Llorente, Tevez and Paul Pogba, all catching the eye following the change.

Marco Vasini/Associated Press

It has also helped cover for the high number of absentees in defence, with Kwadwo Asamoah, Andrea Barzagli, Martin Caceres and Patrice Evra all currently missing with various injuries. Finding a way to overcome those losses would test any coach, but even as they return, it is unlikely Allegri will revert to a three-man defence for any sustained period.

Speaking last week, the coach stated his belief the team can become even better as they grow accustomed to the new system. “You can only improve through practice,” he told a press conference, per the club’s official website, going on to ensure his players remained humble.

“Of course you need maximum determination in training too,” he added. “We mustn't get too excited when things go well, nor be too down when we go through tough times.” That would appear to be the perfect mantra in light of their two previous results, and must be remembered going forwards.

Crucial Champions League ties against Malmo and Atletico Madrid loom on the horizon, while Lazio, Torino and Fiorentina await in the team’s next three Serie A fixtures. The early signs are positive and the back four may remain permanently, but Juventus must continue to work hard if they are to stand victorious in May.