Picking a Best Juventus XI Using Only 1 Player of Each Nationality

Massimiliano Allegri has had a tough time at Juventus in recent months. The coach has seen numerous players miss lengthy amounts of time with injury, losing Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Dani Alves for various periods.

That has led to many questioning the decisions of the former AC Milan boss, with social media users, press and pundits regularly suggesting he should have chosen someone on the bench ahead of someone in the XI he eventually picked.

The likes of Moise Kean and Juan Cuadrado have been left out, while the inclusion of Stefano Sturaro and Patrice Evra has often meant excessive criticism of both the players and Allegri himself.

But a tougher task would be trying to choose between Juve's greatest players in recent history, then only being allowed to pick one from each nation.

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Criteria

So here's the deal and why it's not as easy as it looks: only one player per nationality, yes, but that's FIFA-approved, national-team-representing, one-flag-per-player nationality. We've also limited this team to only include players from the UEFA Champions League era, which began in 1992.

That makes previous certainties such as Massimo Bonini from San Marino or Welsh legend John Charles unavailable, as is a cheeky-but-viable call for Libya-born defender Claudio Gentile.

The formation must also be realistic and with some balance. Over to you then, but bear in mind that Italy, France and Argentina make up the vast majority of available picks down the years, just as they do this season. Choose wisely, especially in defence! Read on for our picks. 

Goalkeeper: Gigi Buffon (Italy)

Let’s get this out of the way early: Juventus have made terrible choices with foreign goalkeepers. Very few have ever played for the club, with Dutchman Edwin van der Sar undoubtedly the worst of them all—the former Ajax man made a number of high-profile blunders before being sold on to Fulham and never being heard from again…

Anywaaaay, he was followed by Andreas Isaksson (Sweden) and Fabian Carini (Uruguay), who never made a Serie A appearance, then Brazilians Rubinho and Neto. All of which makes choosing a non-Italian impossible even before considering the list of Azzurri icons to pull on the gloves for Juve.

Angelo Peruzzi continued a legacy begun by Giampiero Boniperti and embellished first by Dino Zoff then Stefano Tacconi—the Bianconeri constantly hope to the finest shot-stoppers on the peninsula.

Then came Gigi Buffon. Strong, faster, fitter and more agile than any of his predecessors, he has become arguably the best of all time in his role, winning a plethora of accolades along the way and becoming the captain following Alessandro Del Piero’s exit. Selecting “Superman” is a no-brainer.

Right-Back: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Switzerland)

Although currently struggling, Stephan Lichtsteiner is arguably a very easy pick here. Juve have had few Swiss-born players, and the right-back has won a staggering five league titles in his five years in Turin.

That he helped the club forget the likes of Jonathan Zebina and Marco Motta reinforces that, as does his superb play over previous campaigns. This previous post details his recent poor form, but there is no doubt that Lichtsteiner has done enough to earn a spot in this international XI.

Central Defence: Jurgen Kohler (Germany)

Joining Juventus in 1991, Jurgen Kohler was named Serie A's best foreign player for 1992 and helped win the UEFA Cup 12 months later. He also helped clinch a league-and-cup double in the 1994/95 campaign, making over 100 appearances before moving to Borussia Dortmund.

Central Defence: Paolo Montero (Uruguay)

When debates are held over the toughest players ever to grace Serie A, there is no doubt Paolo Montero’s name becomes part of the conversation. He was a violent and disruptive defender, but an excellent man-marker with vastly underrated distribution skills thanks to a talented left foot.

Left-Back: Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana)

Much like Lichtsteiner, including Asamoah was much easier given his nationality, with the Ghana star one of very few African players to represent the Bianconeri. While he is currently injury-prone and struggling to feature, his contributions as a left-back under former boss Antonio Conte were essential to Juve’s title wins.

Central Midfielder: Arturo Vidal (Chile)

Looking for a vital player in Juve’s success, Arturo Vidal stands out as a major influence. The all-action midfielder brought drive, quality and some truly vital goals to the team, with his impact on their victories often immeasurable.

That was particularly true in the Champions League, as his average of a goal every three European games (11 in 33 appearances) was crucial in the club’s progress to the 2015 final and the Europa League semi-final a year earlier.

Central Midfielder: Paulo Sousa (Portugal)

If Vidal was essential in delivering those early titles under Conte and reaching the Champions League final, Paulo Sousa’s role in the Bianconeri’s 1996 triumph simply cannot be understated.

Now coach of Fiorentina, the Portuguese midfielder was the passing hub of coach Marcello Lippi’s victorious side, supplying a constant stream of chances for the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Vialli and Fabrizio Ravanelli.

Central Midfielder: Edgar Davids (Netherlands)

While Sousa was the smooth conduit for Juve’s attacking prowess, after he left, the team soon assumed the identity of Edgar Davids. A snarling, tenacious and hardworking defensive midfielder, the Dutchman protected the back line but enjoyed some attacking forays when circumstances allowed.

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This previous post discussed his contribution to the Juve cause in greater detail, while his iconic look will never be forgotten.

Trequartista: Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic)

In 2001, Juventus sold Zinedine Zidane and—thanks almost exclusively to Pavel Nedved—the team actually improved. There is perhaps no higher compliment to pay the “Czech Fury” than that, while his own 2003 Ballon d’Or victory proved that the wider football community had also noticed.

Over his eight years with the Bianconeri, Nedved was seemingly always on the move. Tireless, relentless and blessed with wonderful technique, he was arguably the most two-footed player of his generation, able to play with either to a high standard.

His selfless attitude and a thirst for victory endeared him to Juve fans, and the stadium still rises as one to chant his name when Nedved—who is now a club director—makes his traditional pre-match appearance on the pitch.

Striker: David Trezeguet (France)

Compiling a team of international Juventus stars would not be complete without David Trezeguet, the leading foreign goalscorer in the club’s history. His overall tally of 171 is impressive enough, but a Serie A total of 138 goals in just 245 appearances shows just how deadly the Frenchman was.

His decade in Turin was littered with silverware, becoming an even greater legend when, like Nedved, Buffon and Del Piero, he remained with the Old Lady after her 2006 relegation to Serie B.

That Calciopoli punishment strengthened Trezeguet’s bond with the club, and he still represents them today, acting as president of the Juventus legends side.

Striker: Carlos Tevez (Argentina)

Trezeguet’s longevity made him a certain pick, but the impact of Carlos Tevez’s two-year stint at Juventus left an indelible mark on the club. He quickly showed his temperament was perfect for the club, playing with a fire akin to that displayed by Nedved and others before him, pushing the Old Lady to new heights.

His work rate and effort were infectious, and a record of 39 goals and 14 assists in 66 Serie A appearances is simply staggering.