Ranking Juventus' Best 5 Players in August
Juventus have endured the worst possible start to the new season, losing their opening two matches of the campaign for the first time since 1912. Defeats to Udinese and AS Roma should serve as a stark warning to a team that has won the Serie A title in each of the last four years, an indication that 2015/16 will not be easy.
The overhaul of the squad was forced upon the Bianconeri by Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez all deciding to leave, and the club worked quickly to secure a number of targets in order to replace them.
Yet a group containing so many new signings will undoubtedly take time to jell, and Massimiliano Allegri must shape them into a cohesive unit over the international break. Those two weeks will be vital, and that was a matter discussed at length in this previous column following the loss to AS Roma.
What follows is a look at Juve’s five best players in the month of August, a difficult task given the abject nature of their performances.
5. Mario Mandzukic
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Mario Mandzukic has not played brilliantly in the opening three games of the season, yet given the struggles of Simone Padoin, Patrice Evra’s red card and the errors made by Stephan Lichtsteiner and Giorgio Chiellini, he is arguably the fifth-best performer thus far.
His goal against Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana showed what he is capable of, and the Bianconeri will need him to replicate that moving forward.
4. Gigi Buffon
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Having watched the aforementioned trio of veterans walk away this summer, Gigi Buffon is perhaps under even greater pressure as the leader of the team, and he has once again proved his worth with some impressive saves.
Indeed, despite the team’s ongoing issues, the club captain has been as consistent as ever and is fully aware the overall performances must improve, as he told La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia):
"You necessarily suffer the consequences when you sign many players who have a brilliant future but are still young. But we can and have to do more. We should have put up a better show.
Now what we need is a greater sense of responsibility by everyone, because losing the first two games of Serie A is something that does not belong to Juve's history. If we show great responsibility and attachment to our colours starting from Monday, then I won't be worried.
"
3. Leonardo Bonucci
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Finding positives in defence for Juventus is a difficult task, but Leonardo Bonucci has continued his excellent form from last season into the new campaign. Playing in the middle of Allegri’s three-man defence, the 28-year-old has marshalled the back line as well as can be expected in difficult circumstances.
According to statistics from WhoScored.com, Bonucci has averaged an impressive 1.5 tackles, 3.5 interceptions and 3.0 clearances per game. He has also stepped forward to fill some of the creative void in midfield, providing the passing and playmaking the likes of Simone Padoin simply cannot deliver.
2. Roberto Pereyra
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Like with fellow Argentinian Paulo Dybala, the attacking impetus provided Roberto Pereyra has been one of few bright spots for Juventus thus far, with his pace on the ball giving the Bianconeri a weapon the other midfielders simply do not possess.
The Argentinian star made an immediate impact off the bench against Roma, his run and pass creating the opening from which his compatriot netted what ultimately proved to be a mere consolation.
1. Paulo Dybala
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While many players struggle with the weight of expectation following their first high-profile transfer, Paulo Dybala has yet to do so since joining Juventus from Palermo. With a price tag of €32 million, according to the club’s official website, the 21-year-old already has two goals to his name in just 144 minutes of action.
Netting against both Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana and last time out against AS Roma, Dybala showed he is a player Max Allegri can depend on during the difficult matches, and the coach will hope his excellent displays continue.
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