4 Reasons Juventus Have the Best Midfield in World Football

Juve have been a juggernaut since Antonio Conte took the reins last season, claiming the scudetto in emphatic fashion without suffering one defeat along the way.

The Bianconeri have evolved even more this season, advancing to the knockout round of the Champions League despite being placed in something of a group of death.

Juve topped European champions Chelsea and dangerous Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk and could be considered an outsider to win the whole competition.

The biggest reason for their sudden rise to the pinnacle of European football has been their phenomenal midfield.

The starting five consists of Stephan Lichtsteiner, Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Kwadwo Asamoah.

It is a fairly decent assumption to make that Conte has the best midfield in Europe at his disposal. Here is why.

Perfect Wide Men

Juve's 3-5-2 formation is dependent on many things, but one of the most vital is clearly the two wide men that are tasked with owning their entire flanks.

You would be pushed to find two fitter full-backs, wide midfielders, wingers—or whatever you want to call them—than Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah.

They both offer adequate defensive cover and, most importantly, a genuine wide option for the midfield trio to find and release pressure on the team while stretching the opposition.

If Juve were to acquire a proper No. 9, then he would be revelling in the service that the Swiss and the Ghanaian would provide him, as both tend to drive to the byline, when afforded the opportunity, before fizzing a ball across the six-yard box.

Juve's formidable midfield can stake a claim to have the best balance for their wide options in European football, as both players perform all of their duties to an extremely high standard.

The Ultimate Playmaker to Control the Tempo of the Game

Andrea Pirlo is a magician that can either grab your attention with a stunning performance or sit back and allow his teammates to take the limelight while still quietly playing to an elite level.

Pirlo proved what an exceptional player he is at Euro 2012, despite entering the twilight of his glittering career. In an age where the pass is king and Spain have ruled, it is some compliment to say that Pirlo would walk into the Spanish national team.

Long, short, sideways, over the top—you name it, Pirlo makes that pass with genuine ease. With that wonderful beard and those short, shuffling steps, Pirlo could afford to light up a cigar at times; he makes it look that simple.

Any midfield, no matter the style that the manager is demanding, must have a world-class passer in order to compete at the highest level, and Pirlo gives Xavi, Xabi Alonso et al a run for their money in this facet of the game.

Goals

Juve's midfield has that canny ability to be able to share around the goals in equal amounts, which makes them such a complete unit.

Many sides will have one source of goals from their midfield, but Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio offer a multitude of ways for the Bianconeri to score.

Vidal is somebody who can ghost into the box and score that simple goal, somebody that nobody realises has taken 20 runs throughout the game before it has eventually been pulled off.

Marchisio is exceptional at linking up with teammates in and around the penalty area before cracking the lock that is a deep-lying defence. Intricate little one-twos and a cool head when tasked with the responsibility to finish make him one of the game's very best midfielders.

Pirlo, while not a serial goalscorer, will be able to provide you with a handful of crucial goals in tight games, thanks to his deadly accuracy from the dead-ball situation.

Amongst the game's very best at free kicks, it means that Juve can offer more ways to score against you than the vast majority of sides across Europe.

Work Rate and Defensive Cover

While Juve's midfield can be easy on the eye and a joy to watch as they initiate wave after wave of attack and mount pressure on the opposition—of which only Barcelona can rival—there is an ugly side to them that makes them so good.

While they do not have an outright spoiler or destroyer in the midfield, unlike, say, the stereotypical grafter like Milan's Nigel De Jong, there are certainly personnel who are capable of carrying out the essential dirty work.

Arturo Vidal is mainly this player, but it would be wrong to label this as his role in the side. As mentioned before, Vidal offers goals and can also be highly productive when linking midfield into attack.

However, it is certainly true that the Chilean offers one of the best engines in the sport, persistently tracking back and sweeping his teammates who are given license to roam forward.

Perhaps, in Vidal, Juve have the most complete midfielder of the lot, as the former Bayer Leverkusen star can do everything that the modern-day player is required to carry out.

Think Michael Essien in his prime. Vidal's competition for that label as the best all-around midfielder could be Yaya Toure or a Daniele De Rossi in his prime.

Regardless, Vidal is indispensable. His work rate and ability to perform a clean, well-timed tackle means that he is often the initiator to the counter-attack and the trigger for Juve to expose the opposition in transition—if they dare venture forward in numbers in the first place.

The Other Contenders

While it is difficult to directly compare Juve's midfield with those of other sides, due to differing formations, it would certainly be interesting to gauge a reaction from you, the reader, as to who you would claim to rival the Bianconeri.

If a side plays a 4-3-3, like Barcelona, feel free to conjure up three names to compete with Vidal, Pirlo and Marchisio. Do Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi do it for you?

On the other hand, some sides will operate with a four-man midfield, which can then be compared with the likes of Lichtsteiner and Asamoah, as well as leaving out one of the starters of the central trio.

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and tell me who you think deserves to be known as the best midfield in world football.