4 Reasons to Believe Juventus Will Win Serie A Again in 2015/16

Juventus have clearly established themselves as Serie A’s most dominant side, marching to consecutive league titles in each of the past four seasons. Despite numerous changes during that time, the Bianconeri have continued to improve, culminating in a domestic double last term.

There has of course been much upheaval this summer, with the departure of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal following their Champions League final defeat to Barcelona. Lesser names such as Angelo Ogbonna, Marco Storari and Simone Pepe have also moved on, meaning the side will be vastly different when the new campaign gets underway next week.

The club has moved quickly to replace those players, making some intelligent acquisitions they believe will help continue their sustained success, but their rivals have all strengthened too, leading to the idea that 2015/16 will see a much tighter title race than we have seen in recent years.

What follows is a closer look at Juventus, and four reasons to believe the Bianconeri will indeed clinch a fifth consecutive Serie A title next May.

Sweeping Changes Among Their Nearest Rivals

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If there has been much change in Turin, it pales in comparison to the sweeping alterations made by their rivals. AS Roma have added Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah to the side that finished second last term, hoping that duo will help bridge the 17-point gap between them and the champions this time around.

Napoli have replaced Rafael Benitez with Maurizio Sarri, with the former Empoli coach looking to completely overhaul their style of play. That will take time to improve the Partenopei, and Fiorentina have lost coach Vincenzo Montella as well as Salah and Mario Gomez, meaning they could well endure a difficult campaign.

The two Milan-based clubs have made major improvements to their playing squads, investing heavily and sensibly in order to improve their ailing fortunes. But, having finished 10th and eighth respectively last term, Milan and Inter still have much work to do before they can be considered genuine contenders.

The Resolute Defence

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While the midfield and attack will have new faces, the superb back line of the Bianconeri remains intact ahead of the new season. Juventus conceded just 24 goals last term, and will call upon the same reliable names to maintain their excellent defensive record in the forthcoming campaign.

Gigi Buffon kept 18 clean sheets in 2014/15, and teams will find scoring past the World Cup winner no easier this time around, protected as he is by the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Giorgio Chiellini.

Paul Pogba

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Perhaps one positive side effect of those aforementioned departures at Juventus could concern Paul Pogba, with the midfielder now almost certain to be handed a far more prominent role by Massimiliano Allegri.

The Frenchman has taken over the No. 10 shirt vacated by Carlos Tevez, and the coach revealed that it was a switch made at the player’s own request, which bodes well for the club’s immediate future.

“Paul asked for the No.10 in order to have greater responsibility this season,” Allegri told a press conference last week (h/t Gazzetta World). “It will be a big responsibility because wearing that shirt is not easy. It has been worn by some of the greatest players in the club’s history.”

Hopefully that will add fresh impetus to Pogba’s play as he prepares for next summer’s European Championships—held in his native France—and sees him lift his performances for the Bianconeri.

The Plethora of Attacking Options

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While the loss of Tevez is sure to have an impact, the additions made by the club will hope to make up for the goals scored by the Argentinian. Mario Mandzukic arrives having struck 17 in 38 appearances for Atletico Madrid last season, while Paulo Dybala enjoyed a breakout campaign as he weighed in with 13 goals and 10 assists for Palermo.

Simone Zaza found the back of the net 20 times in 66 games for Sassuolo, while Alvaro Morata bagged 15 in all competitions for Juventus last term. Between that quartet, the reigning champions should possess the necessary firepower to clinch the title once again.