Juventus are back on top of Serie A, a sight that we were used to seeing once upon a time. Since the Calciopoli scandal in 2006 Juventus have had a long arduous battle to find themselves back where they once were, top of the table. They are starting to look like a team who very well could start to win, or at least contend, for major honours. We'll take a look at some major factors why the bianconeri are becoming, once more, a force to be reckoned with.
Antonio Conte is the new manager of Juventus and what an impact that man has had. He set himself the goal once entering the world of management that he would become Juventus manager in five years, if not, he'd stop. Obviously, he's gone and done just that! It's great to see a great player come back to their old club and bring success with them. During his years as a footballer Conte played under some of the very best managers around - Lippi, Ancelotti, Zoff, Trapattoni and Sacchi. He learnt a lot from all of them has taken aspects from each manager to develop his own style, which has worked out very well. Conte has been a success wherever he has gone, he has had high ambitions and targets - no doubt he has one eye is on the scudetto in the next few seasons. He claims he learnt how to be a winner under Marcello Lippi and says the most important thing he, himself, does as a manager is to transmit that knowledge to his own players.
Since coming straight back up from Serie B they finished 3rd in their first season, then 2nd in the next but the next two years they finished 7th both times. The team hasn't changed drastically, the core is still there and some remain even from Conte's playing days but losing players such as Nedved, Trezeguet and Camoranesi after their first two seasons upon returning to Serie A and failing to replace them with players of similar quality has cost them. Money was invested poorly in players once those stars had left and they brought in the likes of Poulsen, Almiron, Felipe Melo and Tiago. This summer, it's safe to say that they brought in players of real quality and class - Pirlo, Vucinic, Vidal, and Lichtsteiner, they also signed Matri and Barzagli the in January transfer window before. These players all play a role in the new look Juventus.
Conte came in stating he'd play a 4-4-2/4-2-4 with high attacking wide men but he also plays a very interesting formation in the shape of a 4-2-3-1. I think he has moved more to the latter because it suits the players he has much more. Firstly, the coupling of Marchisio and Pirlo in the centre of the park is working out fantastically. Many thought Pirlo was "over the hill" but he is still dictating the play and delivering those perfectly weighted balls over the top or just defence splitting passes with his usual elegance and grace. Marchisio is also playing with such creative freedom and discipline all at the same time and his efforts are being rewarded in the form of goals, he already has 4 to his name this season. Marchisio is finally being utilised in
his decision, the past few years he'd be stuck out wide and it was painfully obvious that he wasn't a winger. The arrival of Vidal has been welcomed by Juventus fans and rightly so, they picked him up for a very good price this summer (especially considering the English transfer market) for 10million €. He sits in front of the perfectly balanced couple of Pirlo and Marchisio and has been playing very well. He supports the attacks and also drops deep to help out. Vucinic has been shifted from playing up front to attacking wide left, this is nothing new to him as he played in that wide penetrating role for Roma for years before his summer switch. He cuts in all the time, finds himself in space and has good feet. On the opposite side is Pepe - he is a work horse for Conte, constantly bombing up and down the wing and swinging in crosses when he can. Up top is another new boy, Matri, who signed from Cagliari midway through last season. He has found himself in some good form, scoring 4 goals and setting a few up along the way. At the back Juventus are having slight problems finding a left back, they've played 3 different players in that position already this season and seem to be sticking with Chiellini. I personally don't think he is good enough for that role, he doesn't move with the ball well, lacks technique and certainly doesn't offer what Lichtsteiner does on the opposite flank. The Swiss full-back is great, he can attack as well as defend which seems simple enough but so many modern day full backs cannot do it... In the centre of defence is Bonucci and Barzagli, the latter returning to Serie A after time in Germany with Wolfsberg. He has been a rock in defence and considering the fact that they signed him for a mere 300,000€ it was an extremely shrewd bit of business. Obviously, in goal we have Gigi Buffon. We know all about him... The team looks very good, a strong base to build on and this is what Conte was aiming to do this season. He is concerned about having a good structure in place and then going on from there, an extremely wise approach. Let's not forget that they have five world cup winners in the squad... Not a bad base, eh?
Juve's 4-2-3-1
Although Juventus are top of the league by a point at the moment they have a real tough few games coming up - Napoli, Palermo, Lazio, Roma and Udinese in their next seven games. They've seen off league title favourites AC Milan already this season and played them off the pitch, they've also taken the scalp of Inter at the San Siro. It's games this season that Juventus has failed to see out is their down fall, they've lost points to stupid draws against Bologna and Genoa most notably - games that they should have won and if they wish to remain in and around their current league position they will need to learn to see a game out or put it to bed.
What I like most about Juventus under Conte is that they are playing very attractive football; they start with a high tempo, they press and move the ball around the park very intelligently. The technique and quality that they have going forward can be devastating at times, also with the players on the pitch they've got different attacking options available. Matri is great in the air, he is big and strong but he is also able to hold the ball up, lay it off and even play it himself, if needs be. Vucinic gives you that penetrating aspect from wide, cutting in the ball and causing havoc in the box. Vidal isn't afraid to shoot from distance. Marchisio times his runs into the box very well, his timing is excellent and he also enjoys getting forward with the ball at his feet. We've yet to see the young Dutch wing wizard, Elia, play much yet. Quagliarella is also on the bench along with Juventus God, Alessandro Del Piero. They've also got Giaccherini, Pazienza and Krasic on the bench who have all weighed in with some appearances as well this season.
“Conte’s men have determination, desire and they have the right man leading them. They have finally rediscovered the Juventus identity.” - Marcello Lippi
I'm not saying this team is the Juventus that we once knew but they are a new Juventus; new manager, new players, new tactics, new stadium. Things are going great right now and Conte is receiving just praise because he has already taken them a long way from where they were when he joined the club. They are playing good football, getting results and really look like they are playing for the club which Conte has been trying to drill into them since his arrival. He seems to be bringing out the best in his players and tactically he has been spot on. A team like Juventus will always rise back to the top. Don't be surprised if they finish in the top 3 this season.
