5 Issues Juventus Need to Work on During November International Break

Once again, domestic football takes a back seat as yet another international break is upon us, marking the fourth time this term that the league season has been interrupted.

While the constant stop-start nature of the calendar is often bemoaned, it does present clubs with a chance to resolve any lingering issues.

That is especially true at Juventus, as despite a recent return to winning ways, the reigning Italian champions clearly have a number of problems to iron out. With losses to Genoa and Olympiakos in recent weeks, Massimiliano Allegri has done well to restore some balance to the side, but the coach still has much work to do.

Some of these are glaringly obvious, while others require closer analysis, but they are things that can be improved upon in the coming two-week stoppage. There are of course many positives for the Bianconeri in 2014-15, but over the following pages is a look at five areas Allegri must address.

1. Take Time to Implement Formation Change

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The success of the 3-5-2 at Juventus—the formation first implemented by Antonio Conte at the heart of the club’s three successive title triumphs—cannot be understated. Allegri did well to retain it in the early part of the season, building upon the work of his predecessor rather than abandoning it immediately.

Since then, however, the Bianconeri have stuttered, and issues with the old framework have become clearly apparent. This has been particularly obvious in Europe, with the lack of width in attack and the frailties of the three-man defence routinely exploited by Champions League opponents.

Allegri opted to line his team up in a 4-3-1-2 formation last week against Olympiakos and Parma, and the coach was instantly rewarded by much-improved performances. While some issues remain at the back, the team looked much more dangerous in attack, and the switch looks good overall.

In order to deploy it regularly, the international break provides an opportunity for the players to become more comfortable within the setup and learn to express their best form in new roles.

2. Set-PIece Defending

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While the team performed much better in Allegri’s new-look 4-3-1-2, Juventus were once again exposed defensively on set pieces. Olympiakos equalised from a corner thanks to some sloppy marking by the Bianconeri, and this must be addressed immediately.

Despite recording an impressive tally of nine clean sheets this term, that Alberto Botia header for the Greek side was the latest in a string of goals from dead-ball situations that Allegri must work to eradicate.

3. Recover Some Injured Players

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Key to those defensive improvements and formation change could well be the recovery of a number of players currently missing through injury. No department of the Juventus squad has suffered as much as their back line, with no fewer than four notable absentees in recent weeks.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game against Parma, Allegri gave reporters an update on the status of that quartet at his press conference.

"Caceres will be available again after the break and I think Evra will too,” said the coach, per the club’s official website. “Barzagli has further to go, Marrone hasn't started running again yet and Asamoah will train on his own for a fortnight or so.”

That provides hope that by the time Juventus return to action, Allegri will have many more options in defence.

4. Maintain Striking Confidence

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At the opposite end of the pitch, all five strikers are fit and ready to play but have been struggling in front of goal in recent weeks. Hopefully, their 7-0 demolition of Parma—analysed in detail here—will restore their confidence, but Allegri must ensure it is more than just a one-off display.

Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Morata will have enjoyed their goals, but it is perhaps more significant that Carlos Tevez returned to goalscoring form. After recording eight strikes in his first seven appearances in 2014-15, he then went six games without a goal before his brace against Parma.

The Argentinean recognised the team’s problem immediately after Sunday’s final whistle, discussing it with SportMediaset (h/t Football Italia). “We’ve been wasting a lot of opportunities recently,” he said, “so we made up for it today and were perfect in front of goal!”

The Bianconeri must retain that belief while striving to maintain the cutting edge so evident against Parma.

5. Find the Real Arturo Vidal

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Perhaps the biggest issue facing Allegri and Juventus is the continued poor form of Arturo Vidal, as the Chilean has simply failed to reach his previous high standards. Before this season, the midfielder was the driving force behind the team, constantly pushing Juventus to victory with his all-action displays.

After rushing back from knee surgery to represent his country at the World Cup, Vidal missed the club’s pre-season preparation and has yet to return to full fitness. In recent weeks his performances have shown the effects of that, and he was sent for a checkup on his injury before departing for international duty.

A statement from the official Juventus website indicated those test results were “positive,” and the club will hope to see the player back to his best when he returns.