Juventus Missed Giorgio Chiellini in Champions League Final Loss to Barcelona

By now the result of the Champions League final has been discussed, dissected and analysed in great detail, covered from almost every angle as Barcelona celebrate their deserved and well-earned victory.

Running out 3-1 winners, the Catalan giants were worthy champions, but—as discussed in this previous column—Juventus can head into the summer with their heads held high, Massimiliano Allegri and his players with much to be proud of in the coach’s debut campaign on the bench.

“We had an extraordinary season, a great final and in our best moment of the game conceded a silly goal,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia), reflecting on the fact Luis Suarez netted just as the Bianconeri were enjoying their only period of genuine dominance.

“I think it’s another part of the growth process,” the coach continued, adding that “when you feel that the match is in hand, you need to be more careful.” It was a clear indication that he felt his side lacked experience, which was perhaps reinforced by the absence of defensive linchpin Giorgio Chiellini.

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

The 30-year-old was only ruled out of the final on Thursday, a torn calf muscle ensuring he would take no part in the Berlin showpiece. As that news broke, it was correctly assumed that Andrea Barzagli would slot into the Bianconeri back line seamlessly, offering a calm reassurance for those around him.

Indeed, many believed the former Wolfsburg and Palermo man might have been better suited to the challenge presented by Barcelona, with Chiellini—often appearing rash and overly physical—perhaps expected to suffer against the superior skill of the Catalan attack.

But there were certainly reasons to miss him, with the first being the tactical flexibility that has been a hallmark of Juventus under Allegri. Against each of Juve’s opponents in the knockout rounds, the coach had at some point sent on Barzagli, switching from his four-man defence to the back three that has been so central to the club’s recent success.

That framework offers greater defensive solidity, but with Chiellini and Martin Caceres sidelined, the Italian champions could no longer lean on it as an option. Allegri may have been tempted to deploy that change at some point between Alvaro Morata’s 55th-minute equaliser and when his team won a corner almost a quarter of an hour later.

Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

Angelo Ogbonna has—as discussed in detail here—proved unreliable this term, suffering from lapses of concentration that have occasional cost Juventus dearly. With Allegri unable to reinforce his defence, the Bianconeri were caught on the break from their own set piece, Lionel Messi bursting away to fire a shot towards the stranded Gigi Buffon.

The goalkeeper had previously made two wonderful saves to keep his side in this clash, but this time he could only parry the ball toward Suarez, the Uruguayan making no mistake from close range and handing Barcelona a lead from which they would never look back.

The change of lineup, particularly so late in their preparation, also appeared to cause some confusion in the back line. The normally confident Stephan Lichtsteiner seemed lost without Leonardo Bonucci beside him, the latter sliding to the left to allow Barzagli to slot into the side in his preferred role.

The counterargument would be that while both Bonucci and Barzagli have enjoyed fine seasons individually, Chiellini has endured a difficult campaign, slipping at crucial moments and conceding an unnecessary penalty in the semi-final meeting with Real Madrid.

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

Yet he offers a robust guarantee that his potential partners at the back do not, something the man himself is acutely aware of and admitted in an interview with UEFA last week.

“Everybody contributes their experience and strengths to the team differently,” Chiellini told their official website. “My physical qualities on the pitch are different from others. I try to use my attributes to help the team.“

While it likely would not have been enough to bridge the gap between Juventus and Barcelona on Saturday night, those qualities were missed in Berlin.