Juventus' 12 Days of Christmas
Juventus have enjoyed a superb start to 2014-15, sitting three points clear atop the Serie A standings and with a place in the Champions League knockout stage awaiting. Massimiliano Allegri has facilitated an almost seamless switch in formation which bodes well for continued success in the new year.
Despite suffering penalty shootout heartbreak at the hands of Napoli on Monday (read a review of the Super Cup loss here), there are still many reasons to be cheerful for the Bianconeri. Carlos Tevez, Paul Pogba and Gigi Buffon have been in superb form, bringing a smile to the face of their under-pressure coach.
Yet as always at Christmas, no matter how content Allegri may be with the start he has made to life in Turin, there is always room for a few more gifts under the tree. With the spirit of giving in mind, over the following pages are 12 gifts for the grand Old Lady of Italian football to enjoy unwrapping.
Ranked in order of significance, these presents would further enhance the current Juventus side. Please leave a comment if you think something is missing from the list.
12. The Return of Simone Pepe
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Simone Pepe is a much-beloved figure among the Bianconeri faithful. The winger overcame initial resistance regarding his transfer to the club and won over the supporters. His sense of humour and presence in the dressing room has been invaluable to Juve’s success despite injury severely limiting his on-field contribution.
Having played just 38 minutes over the last two seasons, the 31-year-old is out of contract in June, and his future remains unclear. Seeing him back in action soon would be a hugely welcome sight, and one the player so richly deserves.
11. A Win over Inter
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Perhaps no fixture is more keenly felt by the Bianconeri than their meetings with Inter, an encounter so significant it has been dubbed the “Derby of Italy.” This season’s clash between the two heavyweights is the first match after the winter break, and a win would be a huge bonus for Juventus.
It is given a little extra spice by Roberto Mancini’s presence on the Nerazzurri bench, as the coach steered Galatasaray to victory over the Turin giants last season. That loss saw the Old Lady eliminated from the Champions League, and a win over such a rival coach and team would be a welcome result.
10. A Return to Fitness in Defence
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While Juve’s defensive record has been hugely impressive this term—13 clean sheets in all competitions—there remains room for improvement. Much of that could come from a number of players returning to fitness, with Kwadwo Asamoah, Martin Caceres and Romulo among those currently missing.
Getting those players back would present Allegri with an increased number of tactical options while also allowing him to rest the likes of Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra more easily.
9. A Little Less Controversy
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Controversy and La Madama often go hand-in-hand, but some respite from it would be a most welcome gift for Juventus. Their win over Roma back in October continues to be discussed all too often and detracts from what has been an excellent season thus far for the Bianconeri.
Only last week, Giallorossi coach Rudi Garcia asked a reporter to “please remove Juve” from the list of teams to beat his side this term, per Football Italia. It may be asking too much, but the accomplishments of the reigning champions deserve greater respect.
8. Some Joy in the Italian Cup
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The Coppa Italia is often an afterthought, but seeing Juventus enjoy a deep run in the competition would be a long-overdue sight. The Bianconeri have not won the trophy since 1995, a 20-year wait that could well end this term should the club decide to pursue it with more vigour than in recent seasons.
They enter the 2014-15 edition against Hellas Verona in mid-January, just three rounds from glory and a cup that has eluded them for far too long.
7. Andrea Barzagli’s Long-Awaited Comeback
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If the aforementioned returns in defence would be a boost for Allegri, a return for Andrea Barzagli would provide an even greater fillip.
Voted into the Serie A Team of the Year just last week at the Gran Gala del Calcio, the 33-year-old has yet to play a single minute this term.
6. A Goal for Roberto Pereyra
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Roberto Pereyra has proven to be a superb addition this season. The versatile midfielder has defied critics of his move to turn in some excellent performances. His form was discussed in detail here, but there is one facet of his game where there is clearly room for improvement.
“He only needs to work on his finishing,” Allegri said of the 23-year-old recently per the official Juventus website, “because someone like him should be getting six or seven goals a season.”
That is undoubtedly true, as despite taking 0.8 shots per game according to WhoScored.com, he has yet to score for the Bianconeri, and his maiden strike would be a welcome sight.
Pereyra's woes continued on Monday, as he blazed his penalty over the crossbar when he had a chance to win the trophy for Juventus.
5. Arturo Vidal’s Best Form
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Despite making a match-winning contribution in Juve’s comprehensive rout of Cagliari last week, Arturo Vidal’s form remains a concern. As discussed in detail here, the Chilean midfielder has yet to reach the incredible standard of play expected of him following three superb seasons in Turin.
The 27-year-old recognises that, telling Sky Italia he aims “to get back to being among the best in 2015” (h/t Football Italia). He remains a key figure for the Bianconeri, and getting him back to his very best would be a huge boost for Allegri and the team.
4. Borussia Dortmund’s Slump to Last Until March
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Having reached the knockout stages of the Champions League, Juventus were handed a nostalgia-laden reunion with Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 of the competition. Having met in a series of encounters that peppered the 1990s, the Bianconeri will go head-to-head with a struggling German side in a clash discussed here.
Despite winning their group ahead of Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp’s men have already lost nine times in domestic action, their most recent defeat coming to rock-bottom side Werder Bremen. Allegri will hope they remain in similar form until after their two-legged tie, allowing the Turin giants to progress to the quarter-final.
3. A Fourth Consecutive Scudetto
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While he has undoubtedly done well since replacing Conte, the feeling is that anything less than a league title would be a disappointing debut campaign for Allegri.
It would mark the club’s fourth consecutive title, a remarkable achievement that Juventus has matched only once before, winning five straight scudetti from 1931 to 1935.
2. Some European Recognition
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Even if they were to lift the domestic title, seeing the Bianconeri regain some prestige on a wider scale would be hugely significant.
No longer discussed alongside the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Juventus will need to consistently perform in the Champions League to see their name back among the elite.
1. A Big Surprise in Attack
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Perhaps the one major need in the current Juventus squad is an elite attacking player, one capable of opening up the tightest defences. Linked with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Simone Zaza over the past couple of months, according to the Express' Jamie Anderson and Calciomercato.com (h/t Forza Italian Football), it seems the Bianconeri are working on just such an acquisition.
With the Champions League set to resume in February, Juventus may need such a player if they are to compete at the highest level. That would make a top-quality frontman a wonderful Christmas gift for Massimiliano Allegri and the Old Lady.
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