Genoa vs. Juventus: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Serie A Game
With a 2-0 win over Palermo under their belts, Juventus travel to Genoa on Wednesday evening, hoping to continue the steady improvement shown against the Rosanero. That match—reviewed here—marked the first win in three games for the Italian champions, a relief after their recent run of poor form.
Thanks to Sampdoria holding Roma to a draw over the weekend however, the Bianconeri were able to extend their lead atop the Serie A standings to three points. Massimiliano Allegri and his players will hope to maintain that cushion during the midweek round, but may also look to rest a number of key men.
Genoa themselves have enjoyed an excellent start to 2014-15, currently sitting in ninth place and having lost just twice in their opening eight games. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is getting the best from his side, once again deploying his favoured 3-4-3 formation to great effect.
Over the following pages is a look at the key issues and decisions that could affect the outcome at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, with the two coaches looking to secure three crucial points.
Juventus Mindset Ahead of Crucial Clashes
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While coaches and players continually boast they approach a season one game at a time, it is clear that some fixtures take greater priority than others. With the need to plan for difficult spells in the season, the ability to rest and rotate a large squad is now an essential skill for any coach.
Allegri will know a win against Genoa is vital, but will also be fully aware that next week sees Olympiacos travel to Turin for a vital Champions League clash. Needing three points against the Greek side to remain competitive in Group A, the Juve boss may well opt to make a number of changes to his starting XI.
Chief among those needing a break could well be Carlos Tevez, the striker having started all but one of his side’s games this term. The Argentinean star has been central to the attacking play of the Bianconeri, already registering eight goals and three assists in 2014-15.
The struggles of Juve’s other strikers was discussed at length here, and their ability to win without Tevez could prove crucial to their hopes of success and silverware.
Containing the in-Form Alessandro Matri
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While Tevez has clearly made a major contribution to Juventus, a former Bianconeri striker is currently doing the same for Genoa. Alessandro Matri was sold by the Turin giants in the summer of 2013 having won two league titles with the club, now finding himself with the Grifone after an unsuccessful return to Milan.
He has netted four goals and added two assists in seven appearances for his newest side, who have only scored a combined total of nine times in 2014-15. That highlights just how important he has been to Genoa, and his former team-mates must find a way to contain the 30-year-old.
With Andrea Barzagli and Martin Caceres missing due to injury, the Juventus defence has maintained an impressive record, and will hope to add to their notable tally of clean sheets.
Improving Midfield to Continue Improving
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Easily identifiable as a major strength for Juventus, it is impossible to overlook the fact the Bianconeri midfield has not been at its best this term. Both Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo have seemingly yet to shake off the rust caused by extended injury layoffs, each man struggling to play to their maximum potential
Vidal returned to the scoresheet against Palermo, netting for the first time since his double against Cesena back in September. Pirlo meanwhile has been even more out-of-sorts, his performance in the loss to Olympiacos notably poor as discussed here.
Stats site WhoScored.com shows the Italian international has completed just 82.3 per cent of his pass attempts this term, his lowest mark since joining the club. He and Juventus will hope he can return to form quickly, so essential is his incisive play at the heart of midfield.
