Juventus Special: How Will the Midfield and Attack Look in 2011-2012?

With the addition of Mirko Vucinic to the Juventus' offensive line, Antonio Conte has Fabio Quagliarella, Matri, Alessandro Del Piero and the montenegran to choose from as his striker(s). Meanwhile, Krasic, Pepe and Pasquato are wingers, while both Quagliarella and Vucinic can also play as wingers.

There seems to be no use for Jorge Martinez, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Amauri, while Luca Toni seems to have no chance of starting.

In the center of the midfield, Juventus have Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Michele Pazienza and Arturo Vidal.

I tried to see how the team would look with different formations and different styles.

Cautious 4-5-1

Juventus have the players to play a very defensive style in midfield. 

In this formation, expect Pepe to play on the right, Marchisio on the left and Pazienza and Pirlo as defensive midfielders with Vidal playing as a more offensive midfielder.

Juventus would be able to keep it tight with this formation, and the stamina and pace of Vidal and Pepe would allow the team to be quick on the counter.

Matri would be the sole striker and with his pace, strength and finishing, Juventus can expect goals as well as keep the opposition from getting to close to the final third.

Pepe____Pazienza____Pirlo___Marchisio

_______________Vidal_______________

_______________Matri_______________

Diamond 4-4-2

Another formation that is unlikely but can be used is a narrow diamond midfield which was used by Carlo Ancelotti in Chelsea. What this formation lacks in width it makes up for in fluidity and movement.

Pirlo is not mobile enough to play in this formation, so Pazienza will play as the cover in front of the defensive line and Marchisio and Krasic will play as side midfielders. Vidal will play as the creative player behind the forwards.

Quagliarella and Matri will play as the attacking partners. 

_________Pazienza________

Krasic____________Marchisio

__________Vidal__________

____Quag________Matri____

Attacking 4-2-4

This is the coach's favorite formation and will probably be the main formation of this campaign.

Pirlo and Vidal are to make a central and creative defensive midfield, with Vidal joining the attack all the time.

If a left winger is not signed, Vucinic will play as the left winger and Krasic on the right with Matri and Del Piero in attack.

______Vidal___Pirlo______

Krasic___________Vucinic

____Matri____ Del Piero___ 

Standard 4-3-3

With so much talent and technique in this Juventus midfield, there is every chance that the coach will be forced to play this formation. The same formation that Barcelona plays, it is based on team pressing and keeping the ball. The three forwards will move around and have to be very mobile.

Pirlo would play as the creative player while Vidal plays as the more defensive player. Marchisio will be allowed to move around, much like Iniesta in Barcelona.

Vucinic and Krasic will play on the wings with Quagliarella in the center.

____________Vidal___________

_______Marchisio___Pirlo_____

_ Krasic_____________Vucinic_

___________Quag___________

Attacking 4-2-3-1

This formation is the one that Juventus have been using the most in the preseason. Fluid going forward and also offering great cover, this formation would suit the attacking players of the team very well.

Pirlo and Vidal again make up the defensive midfield area with Pirlo playing the deep playmaker role and Vidal covering the defence.

Krasic and Vucinic would be on the wings with Del Piero right behind the forward.

Matri and Quagliarella can both play the sole striker role but so far, Matri has been the coach's favorite in the position.

_______Vidal___Pirlo_______

_Krasic__Del Piero__Vucinic

__________Matri___________ 

Standard 4-3-2-1

This is the formation that has been preferred in Italy lately and would be a good fit for Juventus if Milos Krasic is injured or banned.

Three players cover the defense while three players have absolutely no defensive duties.

Marchisio Vidal and Pirlo will make up the three-man midfield with Pirlo in the center.

Del Piero, Vucinic and Quagliarella will fight for the two supporting striker roles, while Matri will be the sole striker.

Marchisio___Pirlo____Vidal

___Del Piero____Vucinic__

___________Matri________ 

Overdrive 4-1-3-2

While this is a very unusual formation to play with from the start, expect this to be the extreme to which Antonio Conte pushes his team when there is nothing more to lose. If Juventus really need a point, this formation will be the solution.

Vidal covers the defense to stop the opposition counter while Krasic and Vucinic are on the wings.

Del Piero will be behind the forwards with Matri and Quagliarella as forward partners.

___________Vidal___________

Krasic____Del Piero____Vucinic

_______Matri____Quag_______