The trouble with Juventus…

By tdf, September 15, 2015

It has indeed been a truly wretched start to the season. Whilst my focus has been very much elsewhere the tribalism I feel towards the club has remained potent enough to maintain a keen vigil even when consumed with other happenings. Supporting a club is supporting a cause, perhaps not the most righteous or heart-felt, yet the passion is true and clear. And the sensations which flow when feeling the shared hopes and dreams of millions across the globe embodied on the battle field are astounding. I often ponder that if we can mobilise and gather into one such huge passion for football, it is surely possible to do so for other more humanitarian ideals. Perhaps mix the two. Let us send Bonucci and Chiellini to Damascus and demand support in the fight against ISIS and their US/UK/Sunni backers and see how may of the 250 million feel like standing side by side their heroes on a different battlefield!. Such talk is for another piece of wordsmithery. For this is about our present predicament. Which seems ever more dire…

I cannot see how the departures over the Summer could have been better prepared or carried out. How could we sign players used to playing regularly, needing to play regularly, before they would have any chance of playing regularly in our colours?You simply cannot phase in gradually, usurpers to the thrones of a triumvirate of superstars. Three titans wished desperately to leave. What use is there to stand in their way. And I appreciate the manner in which the club acted in regards to three men who were very much part of a family and the extended family of hundreds of millions of juventini the world over. We showed them respect, which will have meant something to more than just me…

However, the recruitment efforts to begin building for the next phase, the next journey, are yet to feel Right. The talent is certainly there. Especially in Rugani and Dybala. Yet we must accept that we do not have the financial capacity to replace three of the best players in the world – established, extremely experienced galactic stars – with ready made players of a similar calibre. Instead we had to invest in proven quality and blossoming youngsters. Both of which aims have been met. The only question I ask of the procurement policy is the potential lack of a focus upon mentality.

One of the aspects of the beautiful game I most enjoy is the value of spirit, heart and determination. The tendency to give your all for the cause, to fight till the very last breath. Tevez had this natural berserker fury. Vidal also had a dementedly warrior like spirit. Pirlo? In his own way, he held the same fury to succeed, just displayed it as a poet more than a gladiator. Its grit. However it is expressed. It is also leadership. The ability to infect and demand of those around you to raise their spirit to imperious, majestic, a never-ending war cry. It is this area where we are now lacking, and the leadership and true grit of those departed is painfully conspicuous through its absence.

When I look at the team presently, I see no natural born leaders other than Buffon. Once reinstalled into the starting XI Chiellini (and Big Leo) can provide immense determination yet he has always required others of a similar and stronger mentality to bring out his very finest beast within. To where and to who can he find this inspiration now?

Its a shame of sorts that for Evra to play, Sandro must miss out, for the frenchman is another natural leader and hugely experienced with the brazilian amongst the ‘young with huge potential’ group. In training Patrice can help his counterpart learn his trade but not so when on the bench during the heat of battle. A player needs to be able to turn to his nearest comrade and find his head held high and the battle cry deafening. Especially the younger of our flock.

Confidence breeds confidence as determination breeds determination. Allegri succeeded where Conte failed in terms of loosening the paternal grasp of the team and encouraging the players to lead by example on the field. I believe Allegri is astute and performed miracles last term. Through a gentle approach of allowing leaders to appear and run the show from the grass, not the dug-out. Now he finds himself lacking those leaders. The responsibility to lead has returned to the manager. Which is not his natural forte. By any measure.

Somehow, Allegri has to find not the perfect formation, but the inspiration, for the players to believe in and follow. Once fit, Khedira will be a massive bonus for the midfield for his mentality has never been in question, only his longevity. Marchisio has never been the kind of man to inspire others, yet when fit, is an extremely capable, very complete midfielder. His return will also vastly improve the midfield.

Yet with both players out until October, Allegri must focus on those available. To stop the rot. Before we are out of the running of both Serie A and Europe.

All across the line-up other than in attack I would go for spirit. Get Chiellini back in, sharpish. Lichsteiner in turn. Sturaro. Also Evra. Roll the Lemina dice.

Buffon

Lichsteiner Bonucci Barzagli Chiellini Evra

Sturaro/Lemina Hernanes Pogba

Indeed, I would also place Hernanes in the Pirlo role. Lets get back to basics. Make our fortress impregnable. It may slow the development of our attack, but we are out of sorts and must find that defensive solidity as our foundation to build upon before focusing on the other end. For we have been making plenty of chances, in at least two of the three games played so far.

Up top is a conundrum. Dybala seems the most likely to score. Cuadrado the most likely to make something happen. Morata the finest pure striker, yet slowly regaining sharpness. Zaza yet to be given a decent chance, though has commendable zeal which must be given its rightful appreciation. Mandzukic reliable, yet feckless without quality service. A natural battering ram. I would stick with Morata and Dybala as I feel they are our most dynamic and capable duet in the final third.

Alternatively, we can aim for greater value of Hernanes on the ball higher up the field…

Buffon

Lichsteiner Bonucci Chiellini Evra

Sturaro Lemina Pogba

Hernanes

Dybala Morata

Lastly there is the option of a 4-4-1-1. Far more offensive, yet it has the exciting prospect of fielding both Sandro and Evra.

Buffon

Lichsteiner Bonucci Chiellini Evra

Cuadrado Sturaro Pogba Sandro

Hernanes

Morata

Allegri has these options. The aim must be on reigniting the spirit and belief of the squad as a whole. Making our defence and midfield as strong and determined as possible, leaving only the attack to settle and find its rhythm as the youthful exuberance and bristling talent settle into a welcome and winning rhythm. Chopping and changing in too many places at once is only going to lengthen this sticky period. The situation for the remainder of September is clear. Pick a team and tactic and stick to it.

We must not only ride this storm but confront it, become as one with it, until the likes of seasoned veterans such as Marchisio and Khedira return to the ranks. Let us batten down the hatches, make our ramparts high and proud and defended with honour and belief and a battle cry which shakes the very souls of our enemies.

I feel that this game against Man City comes as the perfect time. Pellegrini’s men are in ultra classy form, have not conceded and have been playing sumptuous football. Big Yaya is back to his best, Mangala has found his feet, Sterling has slotted in seamlessly and Captain Kompany has rolled back the years. When we are down in the mouth, such a seemingly unbalanced encounter could prove our wake-up call, it must. For if we cannot raise our game, our spirit, when faced with such an opportunity to show our truest of colours, all is lost. Its when your backs are truly against the wall, your heart and soul on the edge of total ruin, against all odds, that heroes emerge glowing with brilliant light from the darkness.

Its time for the young to grow, the old to know, the winds which make us Men not mice to blow…