Massimiliano Allegri Deserves Praise for Bold Juventus Champions League Choices

The start of the 2015/16 campaign has been undoubtedly poor for Juventus, the Serie A champions beginning their bid for a fifth consecutive title with losses in each of their opening two games. That has not happened since the 1912/13 season, and the Bianconeri will hope to arrest that slide when they return to action against Chievo next weekend.

Just three days after that encounter, the club faces its first Champions League outing, taking on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on September 15. Following the closure of the transfer window, UEFA requires each side to enter their squads for the competition, and La Madama's list contained two notable omissions.

Just as he was last year, Kwadwo Asamoah continues to be sidelined, and the Ghana international was not part of the selected group, per Juve's official website. If that was somewhat understandable, the absence of Simone Padoin is much more of a talking point.

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The 31-year-old was in the starting XI in the defeats to both Udinese and AS Roma, selected in the centre of midfield by Massimiliano Allegri as the coach told reporters there were few alternatives.

"I have players with specific characteristics, and right now, the only one who can play in front of the defence is Padoin," Allegri said at his press conference before the defeat to the Giallorossi. "I tested out others to take away my doubts, but they'd all be gambles. It is more logical to stick with Padoin."

A week earlier, the Juve boss called the player "a versatile figure" (h/t Football Italia) and added that "having him is an advantage for a coach." Yet the team struggled for cohesion in both games, with Padoin's lack of ability on the ball a clear hindrance once possession had been won.

Allegri's nod to his versatility is well-founded, however, with the player able to also occupy the full-back or wing-back position on either flank, a job he has done admirably over the past few years. Indeed, since arriving in January 2012, Padoin has done everything his coaches have asked and rarely disappointed over his 96 appearances for the club.

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He has been rewarded with four league-winner's medals, victory in this year's Coppa Italia final and three Supercoppa Italiana triumphs. Last season, Allegri often used him as a late substitute, his introduction sending a clear message the coach believed a particular game was won.

Yet those two fixtures this season have proved a larger role is beyond Padoin at the highest level, and the club's summer signings indicate his place in the side will become less prominent. After Sami Khedira's arrival at the start of the transfer window, deadline day saw Juventus add French youngster Mario Lemina and Brazil international Hernanes, adding some much-needed depth in midfield.

Alex Sandro provides a viable alternative to Patrice Evra at left-back, while Martin Caceres' return to fitness means Allegri has a similarly fine deputy for Stephan Lichtsteiner. The coach's words at those press conferences portrayed Padoin as a safe option, and the decision to omit him now hints at a bravery that warrants praise.

Rather than continue to select the reliable former Atalanta and Vicenza man, Allegri has now ensured his choices must be bold, that the likes of Stefano Sturaro, Roberto Pereyra and Lemina will all be given their time in the spotlight.

That also puts pressure on them to raise their performances, to repay the faith of the coach and to show they deserve the responsibility they are now certain to be given with Padoin on the outside looking in.

Massimiliano Allegri has undoubtedly made errors in the opening two matches, but the makeup of his Champions League squad will ensure they are not repeated, and for that he deserves to be applauded.