Breaking Down the Fantasy Team Juventus Could Have Had

Sitting nine points behind early leaders Fiorentina, the 2015/16 campaign has begun in difficult circumstances for Juventus. With a vastly altered side after a tumultuous summer, coach Massimiliano Allegri has struggled to create a cohesive unit from the club's raft of new players.

The problems hindering him have been analysed in great detail, with the reasons for the poor performances of the team discussed at length here. As Juve have laboured, supporters could be forgiven for wondering what might have been, their thoughts drifting to the players who would be taking to the field for their beloved Old Lady if circumstances allowed.

With that in mind, what follows is a look at the fantasy team Juventus could have had this season, adding those current players who were sold cheaply, were allowed to leave on a free or had their loans not made permanent in recent years.

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The team is broken down into each department of Allegri’s preferred 4-3-2-1 formation, but it also acknowledges that some of those who departed no longer wished to wear the famous black and white stripes of the reigning Serie A champions.

Goalkeeper

While Juventus have problems throughout the side this term, there is no man fans would rather see in goal than Gigi Buffon. The club captain has already saved his team-mates from even worse results, making some incredible saves and managing to keep six clean sheets, despite the defence ahead of him making mistakes.

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Backing him up is Brazil international Neto, who has featured in just one game thus far but was not at fault for Leonardo Blanchard’s late equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Frosinone. Indeed, the 26-year-old was excellent at Fiorentina last term, with statistics courtesy of ESPN FC showing he made 94 saves in 36 appearances for La Viola.

Perhaps there is room for improvement behind that duo, with Antonio Mirante of Bologna the ideal candidate. Sold to Sampdoria for around €1.5 million back in 2008, the Juventus youth product has carved out an impressive reputation during six years with Parma and would count as a homegrown player for the Bianconeri.

Full-Back

Allegri is blessed to also have some reliable figures in the two full-back roles, with Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra both reliable. The former recently returned to action after a month on the side lines, and the Switzerland international’s importance to Juve was discussed at length in this previous column.

Lichtsteiner’s strike against Borussia Monchengladbach secured a vital point for the Bianconeri, while Evra netted a vital goal of his own after the side fell behind in their last match with Empoli.

Behind the Frenchman, Alex Sandro has huge potential to make the left flank his own, providing defensive solidity and wonderful attacking incision, as he proved with a match-winning assist in the derby against Torino.

His playing time has been limited following his €26 million summer move from Porto, but Sandro insists that does not worry him, as he revealed in an interview with Sky Italia earlier this month.

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“I don’t care about how much I cost,” the 24-year-old said (h/t Football Italia). “I’m working to improve day by day, both in defence and in attack. I’m still developing.” With that being true, there is no need for a fantasy addition at full-back for Juventus at the moment.

Central Defence

In the heart of the back line, Juventus are blessed to have three of the world’s best central defenders, although that is hard to argue given the errors they have committed this term. Andrea Barzagli lost his man to allow Frosinone to score, while Giorgio Chiellini made crucial mistakes against both Sassuolo and Borussia Monchengladbach.

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Leonardo Bonucci has also been underwhelming, but there is no player with ties to the club whom fans would rather see in central defence than those three.

Allegri is comforted by the presence of Daniele Rugani, arguably the most talented young defender on the peninsula.

The 21-year-old has made just one brief appearance as a substitute, but he is not yet concerned by that lack of action. “I’ve only just started at Juventus and I knew that it wouldn’t be easy,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport just last month. "However, I must be ready when called upon.”

With the experienced veterans ahead of him ensuring he learns the finer points of the role he almost certainly will be ready, and Allegri believes his quality is unquestionable. Indeed, the coach called Rugani “the future of Juventus” at a recent press conference, and urged him to be patient, which is something he is willing to do.

Midfield

While the defence and goalkeeper raise few questions, the Juventus midfield has been a serious concern throughout the campaign. Paul Pogba has struggled for form, while Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira have battled niggling injuries that have interrupted their respective form as well as team cohesion.

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On form, they would appear to be an excellent blend for the three-man unit at the centre of Allegri’s plans, while Stefano Sturaro proved to be a superb backup last term and played a vital role in their 2014/15 success.

Mario Lemina and Hernanes have been somewhat disappointing, but while the departures of Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo have been lamented, there is little doubt both wanted to move on and were rightly allowed to do so.

Attack

Playing ahead of that solid selection of players, the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza have struggled since arriving in Turin, and there is no question Carlos Tevez is the most sorely missed player among those who left this summer.

Allowed to return to Boca Juniors for a fee of €6.5 million, according to Juve’s official website, having him in the current side would make a major difference. He netted a staggering 50 goals in just 95 appearances; his influence over Paulo Dybala would also have been invaluable to the future of the Bianconeri.

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Alvaro Morata proved last season that he is the ideal man to lead the line for Juventus, forming a wonderful understanding with Tevez that could continue in this dream scenario. Juan Cuadrado has filled the third spot, and Dybala could do well there, but Domenico Berardi might be an even better fit.

The Sassuolo forward is beginning only his third top-flight campaign but has registered no fewer than 33 goals and 17 assists in his 70 Serie A matches to date. As his co-ownership with Sassuolo came to an end last summer, supporters would love to see him playing for the home side at Juventus Stadium as soon as possible.

“Like every footballer, I’m working to fulfil my dream of playing for a great team,” Berardi told Sky Italia recently (h/t Football Italia), and he would be the perfect man to complement this ideal XI.

Juventus 2015/16 Fantasy XI (4-3-2-1): Gigi Buffon; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Patrice Evra; Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira, Paul Pogba; Domenico Berardi, Carlos Tevez; Alvaro Morata