Why 4-3-1-2 Should Be the Go-to Formation for Juventus in 2015/16
Much has changed at Juventus this summer, the Bianconeri making some major changes to their squad since their 2014/15 campaign ended with a defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final.
That loss at Berlin’s Olympiastadion—coming after the club had secured a Serie A and Coppa Italia double—appears to have signalled the end of an era in Turin. Speaking at a recent press conference, director general Beppe Marotta revealed Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez, Angelo Ogbonna and Arturo Vidal had each “expressed his desire to try a different experience.”
Those exits have been offset by a raft of new additions, with Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza arriving to reinforce the attack while World Cup-winning midfielder Sami Khedira and promising young defender Daniele Rugani have both also joined the Bianconeri.
Fiorentina goalkeeper Norberto Neto will now be the backup for Gigi Buffon after Marco Storari departed, and veteran midfielder Simone Pepe has been released. Sat beside Marotta on Monday, coach Massimiliano Allegri gave his take on the club's transfer activity, per the official Juventus website:
"I’m happy with the team that’s being assembled. Tevez, Pirlo and Vidal have all decided to embark on a different challenge and you need to move on. We’ve brought in players with top European experience like Khedira and Mandzukic and the likes of Buffon, [Leonardo] Bonucci, [Giorgio] Chiellini, [Claudio] Marchisio, [Patrice] Evra and [Simone] Padoin are still in the dressing room. The youngsters we have can only get better and improve from a leadership point of view.
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As well as ensuring the chemistry of the team is not lost—a matter discussed in a previous article—Allegri’s main task this summer will be finding a formation that brings the best from what will undoubtedly be a new-look side.
In front of Buffon, it makes sense to continue with the four-man defence that was responsible for much of last year’s success. Moving away from the 3-5-2 framework that had been Juve’s default setup for the previous three years, Allegri’s shift to an orthodox back four was much better suited to the demands of European football.
Stephan Lichtsteiner will continue at right-back, the Switzerland international continuing to show he belongs in any conversation about the world’s best players in that position. On the opposite flank, Patrice Evra proved to be a wonderful addition, bringing defensive solidity and vast experience to what had long been a problematic area for Juve.
While Martin Caceres remains a viable alternative on the right, the Uruguayan—as well as midfielders Kwadwo Asamoah and Padoin—does not offer the same well-rounded quality on the left, meaning an alternative may yet arrive.
Sky Italia has linked the club with Layvin Kurzawa of AS Monaco, Porto’s Alex Sandro and Guilherme Siqueira of Atletico Madrid (h/t Forza Italian Football), while no such move is needed in central defence.
Bonucci and Chiellini proved to be an excellent blend of flair, intelligence and brute force last term, helping the Bianconeri keep 20 clean sheets in Serie A. Andrea Barzagli recovered from injury and ensures a shift back to 3-5-2 remains an option, while much is expected from Rugani who returns from a spell at Empoli.
He too believes he can adapt to any formation, telling reporters at a press conference that “my versatility is partly why I am here and I can play in a three or a four. I’ll slot in wherever the manager needs me.” He is likely to remain a reserve for a while, but the benefit of training alongside that trio of Italy internationals can only help his development over the coming years.
In midfield, Khedira will almost certainly slot in between Claudio Marchisio and Paul Pogba, his defensive diligence allowing that duo to press forward in attack. If he can overcome the injuries that have blighted him recently, the German star could prove to be a superb acquisition.
With Stefano Sturaro, Asamoah and Padoin able to provide cover, a three-man midfield would seem the logical choice, although what happens further forward is arguably where the real intrigue lies. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport last season (h/t Football Italia), Allegri dubbed his favoured formation “4-3 and then we’ll see.” That is likely to continue in 2015/16.
The coach has also revealed that he expects the Old Lady may well have one more move left to make. “As far as further signings are concerned, the club has got its eye out for an attacking midfield player with offensive qualities," Allegri told reporters, per the official Juventus website. "We’re assessing our options and requirements.”
Names fitting those attributes have emerged quickly, with the Italian champions receiving permission from Schalke to discuss terms with Julian Draxler. "Juventus made a written request to be allowed to negotiate with Julian's agent, and we have agreed to it," the Bundesliga side’s general manager, Horst Heldt, told Bild (h/t ESPN FC).
Despite the official going on to add they had yet to receive a bid for the player, the German paper reported Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici was in Germany on Tuesday to meet Draxler's agent, Roger Wittmann.
Alternatively, Sportmediaset believes a move for Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze is still possible (h/t Football Italia), meaning Juventus are almost certain to play with an attacking midfielder next season. Roberto Pereyra—whose loan move from Udinese has now been made permanent—provides an excellent alternative, impressing in his debut campaign and winning a place in the Argentina squad for this summer’s Copa America.
In attack, Mandzukic will challenge Alvaro Morata for the job of leading the line, while much will be expected of Dybala, the club’s €32 million replacement for Tevez. As discussed here, the 21-year-old will need to shine, Juve relying on him to become a source of both goals and creativity in the mould of his compatriot.
Simone Zaza and Kingsley Coman provide alternatives, but are likely to leave Fernando Llorente somewhat surplus to requirements. According to Mirror Sport’s David MacDonnell, Manchester United have identified the Spaniard as a transfer target, and that could be the ideal solution for all concerned.
Summary
Should they be able to add a left-back and an attacking playmaker, Juventus would have the depth to utilise a 4-3-1-2 formation and line up as follows:
Gigi Buffon, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Patrice Evra; Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira, Paul Pogba; Julian Draxler/Mario Gotze; Paulo Dybala, Alvaro Morata.
Reserves: Norbeto Neto; Martin Caceres, Daniele Rugani, Andrea Barzagli, Layvin Kurzawa/Alex Sandro; Stefano Sturaro, Simone Padoin, Kwadwo Asamoah; Roberto Pereyra; Kingsley Coman, Mario Mandzukic.
Obviously, those teams would be interchangeable, but listing them in that manner highlights the quality available to Allegri for the forthcoming season. He told reporters at that aforementioned press conference he is looking forward to the challenge, per the club’s official website:
"The new arrivals possess different characteristics to those who have departed and it’s my job to enable them to best express themselves on the field of play. We’ve brought in some talented youngsters and once the transfer window shuts we’ll have 10 players born between 1991 and 1996. It’s the right way forward to ensure a bright future and planning for this team.
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It is a future that looks extremely positive, and one which will—as discussed in a previous article—see the Juventus coach given a chance to truly shape the team in his image.
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