Power Ranking Every Juventus Player from the 2014/15 Serie A Season
The 2014/15 season has undoubtedly been a brilliant one for Juventus. The club shook off the loss of Antonio Conte to enjoy a fine campaign, one which may rank among their greatest ever thanks to some remarkable accomplishments.
Massimiliano Allegri led the Bianconeri to only the third league and cup double in the club’s history, adding the Coppa Italia to a fourth consecutive Serie A title for the Turin giants. The coach deserves huge credit for his impact upon the side, particularly in Europe, where his influence was perhaps at its greatest.
Having crashed out in the group stages a year ago, the former Milan boss took the team to within 90 minutes of winning the Champions League, and while Allegri should be applauded for all he has achieved, the players too deserve recognition.
Over the following pages is a look at the entire squad, ranking them in terms of impact upon the campaign and importance to the side.
All statistics are taken from WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated.
The Outsiders
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To simplify matters, only players who made 10 league appearances or more were counted in this ranking.
That means no place has been given to Kwadwo Asamoah (7), Sebastian Giovinco (7), Alessandro Matri (5), Marco Storari (5), Romulo (4), Federico Mattiello (2), Mattia Vitale (2) and Paolo De Ceglie (2).
20. Simone Pepe
2 of 21
Finally recovered from his injury nightmare, Simone Pepe contributed one goal and two assists in all competitions this season. His campaign ended with a senseless red card against Hellas Verona in the final league game of 2014/15, an act which could prove to be his last for the Bianconeri.
The 31-year-old is now out of contract, and it would seem the club has little interest in handing him a new deal, although Pepe would be a huge loss to the dressing room.
19. Angelo Ogbonna
3 of 21
Arguably the poorest of Juve’s regular performers, Angelo Ogbonna is now at something of a crossroads in his career. The defender, now 27, is no longer learning his craft but still makes the mistakes more commonly associated with much younger men.
Possessing all the physical tools to be a top-class centre-back, Ogbonna continually switches off, his lack of concentration costing the Bianconeri on a number of occasions.
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18. Martin Caceres
4 of 21
While Ogbonna would receive more playing time if he could be trusted, Martin Caceres is becoming almost as unreliable. Seemingly always injured, the Uruguayan was Juve’s best defender in the first few months of the season but then found it difficult to stay healthy enough to contribute.
Caceres has the ability to be a regular in this side but simply cannot be counted upon to be ready when he is needed.
17. Kingsley Coman
5 of 21
Allegri’s faith in the young players at Juventus was evident in the very first game of the season when he started Kingsley Coman in attack.
Still only 18, the Frenchman went on to make 18 appearances in his debut campaign, netting a Coppa Italia goal and contributing two assists.
16. Stefano Sturaro
6 of 21
Juventus have often made mistakes in the January transfer window, repeatedly panic-buying strikers who then contribute little to the side. This year saw them bring in Stefano Sturaro from Genoa however, and the midfielder looks set for an extremely bright future.
The 22-year-old displayed a maturity beyond his years, featuring in 15 matches and scoring a wonderful goal against Napoli. His block against Real Madrid will live long in the memory, but the fact Allegri trusted him to start against the Spanish giants in a Champions League semi-final speaks volumes to his character and ability.
15. Fernando Llorente
7 of 21
If Coman’s adventure with the Old Lady got off to a bright start, Fernando Llorente struggled in his second season on the peninsula. Usurped by compatriot Alvaro Morata, the Spaniard remained a consummate professional and a wonderful team-mate, yet his own contribution to the side suffered.
He bagged just seven league goals, and those came against the division’s weaker sides, as his only truly vital strike came against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia.
14. Simone Padoin
8 of 21
Simone Padoin proved to be a hugely versatile member of the squad this season, the midfielder playing as a full-back or wing-back on either flank on numerous occasions.
He also continued to be sent on late in games, as Allegri used the 31-year-old—who made 29 appearances in all competitions—as a signal that the match was effectively over as a contest.
13. Giorgio Chiellini
9 of 21
Giorgio Chiellini was undoubtedly a major factor behind Juve’s success this season, the defender leading the team in interceptions (2.6 per game) and clearances (5.1 per game) while making 64.3 passes per appearance.
Yet his contributions also came amid poor overall form, as he made a number of high-profile mistakes in the Champions League, including a slip which handed Borussia Dortmund a goal, another which could have seen him sent off against AS Monaco and a senseless penalty against Real Madrid.
As discussed here, Juventus need Chiellini, but they also hope the 30-year-old can curb those errors and return to the consistent level he has previously performed.
12. Andrea Barzagli
10 of 21
If the sight of Chiellini has induced concern this season, Andrea Barzagli undoubtedly has had the opposite effect. The former Palermo and Wolfsburg man continues to radiate calm, making perfectly timed challenges and then passing the ball off to a better-placed team-mate.
His return to action in March coincided with a major upturn in form from the Bianconeri, and his 16 appearances were each of the highest quality.
11. Roberto Pereyra
11 of 21
There were many doubts over the signing of Roberto Pereyra last summer, but the Argentinian proved each of them to be hugely misplaced. His direct running, willingness to work and skill were all valuable additions to the squad, providing a cutting edge that the club’s other midfielders simply cannot.
His form earned him a place in his nation’s squad for the Copa America, and if he can improve his finishing he can expect to stay there for many years to come.
10. Andrea Pirlo
12 of 21
Once again the team’s leading passer as he connected with 72.7 attempts per game this season, Andrea Pirlo continues to make a vital contribution to the Juventus cause.
He bagged four goals and five assists, making the team hum when at his best, although he struggled with injuries this term.
9. Paul Pogba
13 of 21
The rise of Paul Pogba continues to be a sensational story, the 22-year-old blossoming into one of world football’s most technically gifted players and a genuine star attraction.
He added 10 goals and six assists this season while improving defensively to help shield the back line and guard against opposition full-backs pressing forward.
Yet there remains the feeling that Pogba could and should be doing more. Last month, Allegri told Sky Italia (h/t Football Italia) that the player must improve his consistency and warned “he should stop showboating in midfield."
Fortunately however, Pogba agrees, telling Sport360 that “what the coach is saying is the truth, so I have to keep that focus for 90 minutes.”
8. Stephan Lichtsteiner
14 of 21
It is difficult to find a more consistent performer than Stephan Lichtsteiner, as the Swiss international rarely—if indeed ever—turns in a poor display. Only four Juventus players—Leonardo Bonucci, Claudio Marchisio, Gigi Buffon and Carlos Tevez—played more minutes than him this term, and he seemingly never grew tired.
Running back and forth on the right flank, Lichtsteiner guarantees quality every time he steps on the field, contributing three goals and five assists while remaining defensively sound.
7. Arturo Vidal
15 of 21
Arturo Vidal undoubtedly struggled in the early part of this season, the toll of rushing back from surgery to represent his country at the World Cup clearly weighing on his form before the winter break.
Yet slowly but surely, the proud Chilean fought back to once again be a vital member of the Juventus side, leading the team in tackles (3.1 per game) while also adding eight goals and four assists.
His penalty was the difference between AS Monaco and the Bianconeri in the Champions League quarter-finals, while his strike against Sampdoria was ultimately the goal which clinched the Serie A title.
6. Gigi Buffon
16 of 21
Countless times this season, Gigi Buffon pulled off an incredible save to keep the Bianconeri in a match, his contributions every bit as vital as those made at the opposite end of the pitch.
The Juventus captain registered 18 clean sheets in his 33 league appearances, adding a further six shutouts in the Champions League. Now 37, he continues to be an incredible goalkeeper who fully deserves every accolade he receives.
5. Patrice Evra
17 of 21
At first it seems odd to place Patrice Evra so high on this list, with the likes of Buffon, Pogba, Pirlo and Vidal below him. Yet that initial reaction overlooks just how quickly the Frenchman has become an influential figure both on and off the field for the Bianconeri.
When the 2014/15 began he split playing time with Kwadwo Asamoah, but an injury to the Ghanaian made the place Evra’s by default, and he never looked back. His experience and natural ability was essential in making Allegri’s four-man defence viable, possessing the skill to play the position in a way Asamoah never could.
Like Lichtsteiner, he offers a guarantee both defensively and going forwards, averaging 1.9 tackles and 2.3 tackles per game while adding three assists to his only goal, which came against Sampdoria back in December.
Always dangerous at set pieces, Evra emerged as a leader in the dressing room and was hugely important in the club’s run to the Champions League final.
4. Alvaro Morata
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If Evra’s veteran experience and leadership made him an important addition, the youthful exuberance and goalscoring ability of Alvaro Morata made him arguably more important.
Weighing in with 15 goals in all competitions, only Carlos Tevez netted more regularly as the 22-year-old enjoyed a fabulous debut campaign on the peninsula. He became only the second man ever to net in both legs of a Champions League semi-final tie and then the subsequent final, netting huge strikes against Barcelona and former club Real Madrid.
Costing Juventus €20 million last summer, Morata proved that it was money well spent, establishing himself as a first-team regular and the perfect outlet for Allegri’s tactical approach.
3. Leonardo Bonucci
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If recent seasons have seen Barzagli and Chiellini emerge as Juve’s best defenders, there was little doubt that 2014/15 was the year Leonardo Bonucci stepped out of their shadows.
Always the elegant ball-player in the middle of the three-man defence, the 28-year-old quickly dispelled the notion he could not perform in a back four.
Proving himself as a robust man-to-man marker, Bonucci continued to pass the ball well, offering support to the midfield at every opportunity while anchoring Juve’s injury-ravaged central defence. Whoever was available to play beside him, the former Bari stopper was a reassuring and commanding presence, all while playing more minutes than any other member of the squad.
2. Claudio Marchisio
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Bonucci may have become the key figure at the back, but ahead of him in midfield—and indeed these rankings—Claudio Marchisio arguably enjoyed his best season as a professional.
He has been at Juventus over two decades now and enjoyed helping La Madama to reach the Champions League final more than most.
He continued to provide energy and drive when flanking Andrea Pirlo but emerged as a fine alternative to the Italy legend whenever he was unavailable. Marchisio may not possess the range of passing of his older team-mate but ensured the Bianconeri never missed a beat, turning in an entire campaign of superbly consistent performances.
1. Carlos Tevez
21 of 21
To keep Bonucci and Marchisio out of top spot this season would take an astonishing level of brilliance, which is just what Carlos Tevez delivered.
The Argentinian was as ferocious and relentless as ever but as always brought a huge amount of skill and technical ability to the side as well.
Narrowly missing out to Mauro Icardi and Luca Toni in the race to be Serie A’s leading scorer, Tevez added seven goals in 13 Champions League appearances, almost single-handedly destroying Borussia Dortmund in the last-16 clash.
The 31-year-old delivered whenever Juventus needed him to, and his infectious work ethic now runs through the side as players like Morata, Pereyra and Pogba follow the example he sets.
Tevez will head to the Copa America this summer, hoping to add international silverware to the plethora of club trophies he has now lifted.
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