Juventus' Impressive Win over Napoli Means Tough Choices for Allegri

A match that started with the Coppa Italia being paraded around Juventus Stadium ended with the Bianconeri collecting the Serie A trophy, as Juventus defeated Napoli 3-1. But for the Italian champions, all roads lead to Berlin.

Although it perhaps should not, there is no denying that the prospect of a Champions League victory has overshadowed their domestic double.

The 2014-15 campaign is already one of La Madama’s most successful seasons of all time, but given that European Cup/Champions League success is an accomplishment that has been achieved only twice before in the club’s storied and glorious history, a victory over Barcelona would undoubtedly make it their single greatest.

With that in mind, Massimiliano Allegri once again named a vastly rotated starting XI to face Napoli, but he knew the visitors were desperate for points. Indeed, nothing less than victory would do for Rafael Benitez’s side, who already trailed third-placed Lazio by three points with just two matches left to play.

Despite having no need to chase the points, Juventus would take the lead through Roberto Pereyra, only for the Partenopei to equalise early in the second half. David Lopez put away the rebound after Lorenzo Insigne had his penalty saved by Gigi Buffon.

Yet the Bianconeri would win the match, a wonderful piece of individual skill from Stefano Sturaro handing them the lead before Simone Pepe added a third goal via the penalty spot. Miguel Britos was sent off as Napoli’s Champions League hopes imploded, but there were a number of performances from the home side that will only add to Juve’s own dreams of that ultimate triumph.

A number of players will be assured of their place against Lionel Messi and company on June 6, but some of those on the fringes undoubtedly made a strong case for inclusion here. Perhaps the most difficult choices will come in midfield, and the scorers of those first two goals enjoyed impressive outings.

Both Pereyra and Sturaro have started in huge games this term already, with the latter surprisingly getting the nod against Real Madrid in the semi-final of Europe’s elite competition. Aside from his well-taken goal, the 22-year-old made two tackles, two interceptions and three clearances according to statistics from WhoScored.com.

His play perhaps outshone that of his Argentinian team-mate, and if it came to a straight choice between them, Sturaro may have shown enough over the past few games to merit a place. Further back, another solid showing from Andrea Barzagli will lead to further debate over the formation Juve opt for, with the Italian allowing Allegri to field a back three.

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Should the coach line his side up with a four-man defence however, it is likely to be the former Palermo man—who left the field at half-time—who is left out, the partnership between Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini growing stronger as the season has progressed.

The attack saw an eye-catching display from Kingsley Coman, linking well with Alvaro Morata and creating the opening goal of the game for Pereyra. His Spanish partner played the pass that lead to Sturaro’s goal however, and it is likely to be he who plays alongside Tevez when the final against Barcelona gets underway.

“A win like this and playing in front of fans like ours, it was the perfect day,” a visibly overjoyed Sturaro said to Sky Italia shortly after the final whistle (h/t Forza Italia Football). “We always give our best and that’s where our strength comes from. Even when we cannot win, we give it everything.

“Winning always helps you win the next match, and we do it to best prepare ourselves for Berlin.”

They have certainly done that, and now Massimiliano Allegri has some difficult choices to make.