Sergei Shevchenko - the main favorite of Serie A.
To get to Juventus' home matches this year will be hard. The demand, already high, with the arrival of Ronaldo, increased, which gave rise to an increase in the cost of tickets. For example, to get to the ordinary game against Sassuolo, you will need to pay a minimum of 50 euros - this is for places outside the gate. The seats on the side stands will be pulled already by 130-140 euros. Many fans of Juve are easier to go on an away match to see their favorite team not on TV.
Such interest is natural. Juventus is the showcase of Serie A. Financial dominance, the exemplary structure of the club, seven titles in a row and the struggle for victory in the Champions League. The most beloved and the most hated team in Italy, the mere mention of which gives birth to the whole spectrum of cheerleaders' opinions. The only club in the Apennines with an unconditional prefix "top-". Let's look behind the clouds, to the top of modern Calco.
Transfers We leave behind the brackets Ronaldo's transfer, which was written more than once. Of course, this is the central event of the European off-season, but the transfer campaign of Juventus is not limited to the arrival of Cristiano.
First, the exchange with Milan, which we also covered. "Signora" returned her "prodigal son" Bonucci, exchanging it for Caldara, and also sent Higuain to Milan for very reasonable money (18 million for rent and 36 for ransom). Operation "return" while successful. Bonucci acts much more confidently than last season, the benefit next to him is the proven warrior Chiellini - the new captain Juve. "Bianconeri" know what the milanists have not learned: to use the best qualities of Leonardo, masking his shortcomings. The attitude of fans of Juventus is also not as negative as expected. During the match with Lazio Bonucci sounded both a whistle and applause.
More difficult with the departure of Higuain. It is clear that they do not combine with Ronaldo-center forward, but in practice it turned out that it is more convenient for Cristiano to shift to the left flank at least regularly. Option "Ronaldo on the left, Higuain in the center" is quite working and even in his time was used by Real. At the same time in the updated constructions of Juventus it is not easy to enter Dibalu. Module 4-2-3-1, imprisoned under the Argentine, fell through with Chievo, and on the flank to him uncomfortable. Perhaps Juventus sold the wrong star this summer?.
Secondly, Buffon left (for a real fan of Juve this, of course, event number 1). Replacement was ready for him - a speech about Wojciech Szczesny, who was regularly given practice in the past season. The Pole for today is technically not inferior to Buffon, and questions can concern exclusively psychology - it's hard to step onto the post that up to this 17 years defended the legendary Gigi. Mattia Perin, acquired from Genoa for a preferential 12 million, will be on the rise.
Thirdly, the flanks of defense were updated. If finally returned from the rent of Spinazzol (which is in the infirmary until November) is unlikely to drive out Alex Sandro, then Kansela - an acquisition under the base. The Portuguese in the starting matches left ambiguous impression due to mistakes at their gates, but potentially this is one of the strongest laterals in Europe due to extraordinary activity and filigree technique, which will envy any "trekvartista". Not without reason, it became the second most expensive (40 million) acquisition of "bianconeri".
In addition, Emre Jan arrived as a free agent - his transition was announced back in January. This is, first of all, a competitor for Khedira (the main thing is not to mix these players, very similar in appearance). Jan is mobile and strong in the selection, with him on the field Pjanich will get even more freedom.
Alas, in the midfield there was no place for Marchisio, who unexpectedly broke the contract with Juventus on the last day of the "calchomercato". Claudio long ago fell out of the base due to injuries, but his departure is symbolically important. He is a person brought up by the "signora" who has been engaged in club school since seven years and has played almost three hundred matches for the "bianconeri". He, of course, was paid the amount due under the contract, but one could say goodbye - however, so cynical treatment of the cult figures is familiar for Juventus. The Turin Grande did not weaken on the field, became more recognizable and more popular due to the arrival of Ronaldo, but without Buffon and Marchisio lost the share of local identity in favor of globalization.
Tactics (4-3-3): Scotsny - Kancelu, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro - Khedira, Pyanich, Matyudi - Bernardeski, Ronaldo, Mandzhukic This is the module that Allegri put in the match against Lazio. It turned out much more efficiently than with Chievo. Uncomfortable "latsii" were calm and in the case beaten. A similar scheme was used in the spring. The only difference is that the positions of Ronaldo and Manjukic are not entirely obvious, because they change places regularly. Note also the good form of Bernardeschi, who today looks more convincing than his competitors.
By the way, about the reserve. He is almost as impressive as the base. By the standards of the Italian championship, Juventus has a colossal margin of safety.
Second composition: Perin - Barzagli, Benatia, Rugani - De Chillo, Emre Jan, Bentancourt, Spinazzola - Cuadrado, Dibala, Douglas Costa Allegri - a well-known fan of juggling schemes, so we keep in mind alternate modules. First of all, 4-2-3-1, with which Juventus started last season. It is easier to integrate the players of the "attack group", but the center of the field is not as mobile as at 4-3-3. Against Chievo turintsy secured a completely "Barcelona" percentage of possession of the ball, but this did not lead to an aggravation.
Another alternative is the return to the game of three centrabecks, which a few years ago was the "calling card" of Juventus. In the absence of Bonucci, the transition to this module did not make sense, but Leonardo with his playmaking inclinations will breathe life into him. The abundance of central defenders (even Rugani did not quit) and the presence of high-quality laterals also suggests that Allegri will still please us with a defense of three. It will look something like this:.
(3-5-2): Scotsny - Barzagli (Benatia), Bonucci, Chiellini - Cancela, Khedira (Emre Jan), Pyanich, Matyudi, Alex Sandro (Spinazzola) - Ronaldo, Mandzhukic (Dibala) True, in this case, out of the game there will be numerous flanking midfielders, but Allegri will have an answer - for example, he has long been considering Bernardeski as a medsal, that is, a central midfielder. Quadrado in the spring in several matches played a nominal defender, with Kostya harder, but he is quite universal.
Forecast Juventus's Favoritism is not challenged even by his ardent haters. The coefficient to win the "Bianconeri" in the championship is a miserable 1.35. While turintsy do not give reason to doubt their chances. In the fall, as a rule, they only roll in during the season and, as a result, lose points, but in the first two rounds only competitors (except for Napoli Ancelotti). Where there is more intrigue in the Champions League: the realignment of Real Madrid, the problems of Barcelona, ??the instability of English grandees - the next final looks more than an achievable goal for Juve.
Optimistic option. No problems in the championship. Juventus gnaws out three points even in those matches where it should not win. Champion mentality, a long bench and a long-playing calculation Allegri is a weapon against which there is no defense. In the most ideal scenario Massimiliano even manages to create a working bunch of Dibala and Ronaldo. Cristiano finally breaks out, he recovers form by spring and becomes the team's top scorer. In the center of the field shines clever Pyanich, defense is also reliable - Shensna often misses work. The title is guaranteed long before the finish.
Pessimistic option. Ronaldo has not been able to integrate into Allegri's constructions. He plays in his football, even sometimes scores, but this is not at all what is expected of a superstar. Dibala is confused and can not regain his former confidence. Protection is alarming without Buffon, the team misses more often than usual. The bet is made on the Champions League, because of which the championship matches are not given due attention. The result - Juventus still takes "scudetto" (and how do you think?), But does it "on crutches," without due credibility.
Author's opinion. The balance of power in the Italian championship, to put it mildly, is not balanced. In order to throw Juventus off the throne, a combination of circumstances is necessary: ??not only problems or, even better, a massive restructuring in Juve himself, but also a competitor who jumped above his head.
Heroes now in deficit, Turin dragon no one to win. Many hopes were placed on Inter, only now the "Nerazzurri" stalled at the start - they will win their game, but it's hardly necessary to talk about the title fight. Ancelotti? He started well, but a year earlier Napoli started with eight wins, and for the first round scored 48 points out of 57, and it still did not have enough. The next few years seem to be problem-free for Juventus and his record series of championships.
Author: Sergey Shevchenko.