Juventus Analysis: Where Can the Bianconeri Improve Defensively in 2015?

Never one to rest on her laurels, Italian football’s grand Old Lady is constantly seeking ways to improve. Whether in the transfer market, boardroom or even the training ground, Juventus have never been a club to simply settle for what they have.

The demand from supporters and a desire to continually compete mean only 13 members of the current squad have been with the club for each of their three most recent league titles.

Additions like Paul Pogba and Carlos Tevez have merely served to reinforce the domestic dominance enjoyed by the Bianconeri, which they believe will also be transferred onto the European stage soon.

Problems are constantly addressed, with Alvaro Morata and Kingsley Coman brought in to hopefully inject some much-needed speed into the attack. Similarly, the arrival of Patrice Evra appears to have solved the issue at left-back, the French international slotting in almost seamlessly following his summer move from Manchester United.

Despite an impressive-looking record, however, it is the Juventus defence that has begun to be a cause for concern. After enjoying a run of 12 clean sheets in 15 matches earlier this season, Sunday’s win over Napoli saw them fail to shut out their opponents for the fifth time in six outings.

That is clearly below the usual standards in Turin, the club having conceded just nine times in 18 league games overall in 2014-15. Far too many of those goals can be attributed to the poor form of Giorgio Chiellini, a matter discussed in detail recently throughout a previous column which you can read here.

Yet while the 30-year-old has certainly been the side’s most disappointing and underperforming player this term, the general malaise affecting the back line is perhaps much more deep-rooted. Nor is it a matter simply brushed away due to injury, the long-term absence of Andrea Barzagli is simply no excuse for the continued penchant for giving away goals.

That recent victory over Napoli ended a barren run of 14 years without a win at the Stadio San Paolo for Juve, and the game highlighted a number of positive traits found in Massimiliano Allegri’s team. Paul Pogba’s brilliance and the tactical reshuffle by the coach deserve much of the credit; the display of Martin Caceres simply cannot be ignored.

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The Uruguayan was making a long-awaited return, taking his place in the starting line-up for the first time since October, following a thigh injury, and Juventus had sorely missed the former Barcelona man. His early season form was highlighted here, and his versatility has seen him become a valuable member of the squad, with the above graphic showing he has won a staggering 83 percent of the duels he has contested.

He punctuated his comeback with Juve’s second goal, turning in Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick to give the Bianconeri a lead they would never relinquish. Giorgio Chiellini may have been marginally offside as the ball came in—prompting a furious Twitter-rant from the Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, per Football Italia—but the timely strike was vital to the eventual result.

It was also crucial for the player himself, a point he was quick to note to Sky Italia immediately after the final whistle. “It was important for me to score as I haven’t been out injured for such a long period of time,” the 27-year-old said (h/t Forza Italian Football), and his exuberant celebration clearly demonstrated his relationship with the club.

Yet it must not be forgotten that he is a thoroughly accomplished defender, stats site WhoScored.com showing he made three tackles, one interception and five clearances against Napoli. The same source shows he also made eight crosses, a constant source of supply to the forwards who on another day would perhaps have capitalised on those chances.

His display helped Juventus overcome the injury problem that ruled out Stephan Lichtsteiner, filling in perfectly for the former Lazio and Lille full-back. Arguably the unsung hero of this team as discussed here, the Swiss international will inevitably return, and it is here the improvements can be made to the defence.

While Beppe Marotta refused to deny interest in Rolando, per GianlucaDiMarzio.com, Allegri’s most-pressing task must be to find a way to incorporate both Caceres and Lichtsteiner into his first-choice XI. Indeed, the Porto central defender will likely only be a backup option should he arrive, and the current duo are arguably Juve’s best defenders this term.

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Simply shifting the Uruguayan to the opposite flank would have little effect as, despite playing there regularly for his country, it is far from his natural role. His input to the attack when forced onto his weaker foot would be marginalised, and Juventus need all the creativity they can muster going forward.

That leaves a position in central defence, perhaps demanding the coach break up the partnership Chiellini has with Leonardo Bonucci, another player who has done well this term. A spell on the sidelines may allow the former to recuperate and rediscover his own best form, a boost that could only serve the Bianconeri well.

With the side often looking stale and devoid of creativity in tight games, the defence is certainly not the biggest problem, but a change could have a positive impact. As they continue to enjoy success at home and abroad, finding room for improvement is difficult, and any change is likely to reap only minimal reward.

Yet matches are often won by these small margins, and like all truly great teams, Juventus must maximise their chances to win whenever possible.