Lazio 0 – 3 Juventus 22/11/2014

By tdf, November 23, 2014

With the wonderful fluidity and cutting edge displayed throughout the impressive 7-0 drubbing of parma, I was one of many slightly bothered with the international break and worried that players would lose their momentum, or worse still, return to the ranks exhausted or injured.

Such concerns were aided by the decision of Conte to rest most of the Azzurri juve contingent for the friendly with Albania and the short trips required by Pereyra and Tevez to play in Argentina’s two games. Only Vidal had travelled far and wide, yet given his lethargic form thus far this term, perhaps he would have started from the bench regardless of his air miles…

Much to my delight, Allegri decided to stick with the recently introduced 4-3-1-2 formation. And rather than place Vidal in the hole behind the strikers, he deployed Pereyra, which is as close to his natural position as the Argentine has yet been allowed to play in our colours. I have read of a fair few Juve supporters casting him as a vice-Vidal, which demonstrates only that they have not seen much of Roberto in the past. For whilst they resemble each other aesthetically, and Pererya has indeed be deployed in a position where we are accustomed to finding Vidal, they are very different footballers when it comes to technique, talent and natural game.

It is Vidal’s natural game to hunt, scavenge, fight, defend and attack in a box to box fashion. At his best he is a warrior who excels equally in the defensive and offensive phase. Pereyra’s natural game is to focus entirely on the offensive phase, dribble and charge at players, create opportunities for others in and around the box, hustle and pester; a human magnet for the goal when the ball is at his feet. The Argie has nowhere near the defensive zeal of Vidal, nor does he have the finishing potency, yet he has more pace and a selfless streak which serves our front line and marauding midfielders better with each passing game.

Playing Vidal as the 1 in a 4-3-1-2 is a mistake, given his huge array of talents as a box to box centrally based midfielder. I suspect that we would possibly see a reduction in his strike and assist rate if he was placed higher up the field, for much of his great work in the final third is rooted in his late arrival from deep.

Lazio adopted the same tactics which have become par for the course when any team faces Juve; pressing with all their energy, rarely throwing many men forward, not affording our defence any time on the ball and shadowing Pirlo. This works well against the predictable 3-5-2, but times are a changing…

It took around a quarter of an hour for us to find our rhythm and start applying concerted pressure. The goal, when it came, was something of truly world class quality. Quick passing out of defence from Pirlo found Tevez in space on the left, who drew the defenders towards him then set up Pogba with an inch perfect cross between three defenders just inside the box who took a touch to bring the ball down then despatched a splendid drive past Marchetti.

The frenchman was in outstanding form, and before Tevez doubled the lead, he curled a delightful strike towards goal which was denied by the post.

Lichsteiner, playing in his natural fullback role, was having a fine game, and with 58 minutes on the clock, he found marchisio launching himself forward on the flank, who slipped the ball expertly past the defender, then eased the ball to Tevez who hit a brilliant strike into the bottom corner of the goal from 18 yards out. Again, it was a beautiful team move, majestically created, clinically finished.

There was still time for a third, with Pirlo finding the impressive throughout Pereyra in the perfect number 10 spot, who slipped it to his right where Pogba was waiting, to dummy with his right, then cap a fearsome display with a left footed finish for 0-3.

Even after Padoin was very harshly sent off for his second bookable offence, we remained in the ascendency, controlled the game and whilst a shot or two found its way to Buffon, we appeared more likely to add a fourth than concede.

Player Ratings

Buffon – 7

Stood up to the few shots he had to save with experience and strength. His reactions haven’t yet began to falter. Wonderful positioning and strong hands for the close range Anderson effort.

Bonucci – 7

It may take a while for Big Leo to realize we no longer require him to attempt to channel Beckenbauer, for a few passes sent astray could well have landed us in trouble, but they didn’t. Other than his attempts at smart distribution, his defensive work was excellent.

Chiellini – 8.5

One of the finest performances I have seen of Giorgio for quite some time. Did not put a foot wrong for the full 90 and his positional awareness was outstanding, always in the right place at the right time to block, intercept and his aerial prowess was a joy to behold. I think he is more comfortable in a flat back four where there is less need to take the ball out of defence.

Padoin – 7

I was always loathe to involved myself in the usually Penza inspired Padoin ‘comedy’ routines on the BWRAO site focus on Padoin, for I have never found fault with Simone, always thought he stuck to his task, worked damn hard, and rarely made any errors. A player, of a similar mould to the little goblin Giaccherini, and to some degree, Conte himself. Little natural talent other than heart and determination. With Evra injured and Asamoah not match-fit, Allegri opted to place Padoin in the left fullback role. With scant experience there from the last few seasons, the former Atalanta player stuck to his task diligently, fought for every ball and covered the much busier (due to Candreva) left flank with gusto and intelligence. His second yellow was incredibly harsh, with several tackles following in his wake which were far worse and more obviously a booking. Still, he deserves credit for producing a solid, dependable effort when called upon. Considering he was third choice for the position, I doff my hat in respect to his showing. And its important to note that the game was well won by the time he was given his marching orders.

Lichsteiner- 7.5

For so long have I yearned to see the Swiss locomotive in his natural position of RB. In the old system he was expected to provide width high up the field and deliver classy balls into the box, which he could do, with sheer persistence, but often we found his efforts telegraphed and liable to leave gaps behind him which other more offensively minded players had to cover. Watching him tackle, cover, mark and support when possible was satisfying and encouraging. His crossing has always been a weakness, his tackling and defensive work his strength. Now that he can focus on the latter, we will see an even more potent Lichsteiner. Did well to spot Marchisio’s run for the second goal.

Pirlo- 7.5

The bearded wonder has returned to form, and at the perfect time with the champions league campaign to focus upon mid-week. His passing was sensational. And with the added bodies in front of him, he was able to act as the pivot of the side, rather than the sole creative force, shuffling short passes with finesse to the options whenever they presented themselves. I am glad that he can fit into the new formation, and feel that his game is more suited to a condensed central channel of players, than constantly looking for long passes to the flanks to find defenders or central midfielders masquerading as wingers.

Marchisio 7.5

Claudio offered his usual intelligent product. Ran hard, played it simple, created the second with a beautiful dink of the ball past the defender and as with Pirlo, is finding form at the right moment. Perhaps his strident mentality will see him keep Vidal out the line-up until the Chilean can prove he is a better option.

Pogba 10

It is now old news to talk of Paul Pogba as merely a player of sublime promise, of serious potential, of budding quality. For he has become, with performances such as this, already one of the finest midfielders on the planet. He took his two goals with regal composure, was incredibly hard to dispossess, made himself constantly available for the ball and what I enjoyed the most was his tendency to chase straight after the ball whenever possession was lost by his own majestic lower paws or a nearby team-mate. In short, he was a lion on the field. A beast. Impossible to fault in any way, for he can do everything expected of a footballer with majesty, power and poise.

Pereyra 8

If we are to persist with the 4-3-2-1, Pereyra is sure to blossom. Still only 23 years old, in his first season at a top club and impressing more and more each game. His running and eagerness for the ball is a wonderful asset for the team. Whilst he needs to improve his shooting, the rest of his talents seem a real diamond in the rough. Shares the same determined streak of his countryman Tevez, never gives up a seemingly lost cause and is always ready to forage a route towards goal for himself or his team-mates. Already appearing a definite purchase in the Summer, if not sooner.

Llorente 6

The spaniard is the only player who seems to be suffering this season (other than the lethargic Vidal). And this is not the first time I have seen him as out of sorts, lacking cohesion with his comrades and showing very little threat in the box. It may well be his job under Allegri to draw players onto him, shield the ball and look to lay it off. If that is so, he is doing an average job. However, with Pereyra linking the midfield and attack, and Fernando’s best talents expressed in the box, it is hardly making the most of his assets. He had a poor game. Found himself outnumbered and rarely involved in anything dangerous going forward.

Analysis

For a period in the game both before and after the interval, I saw the strongest Juve I have seen for many moons. We were not only in the ascendency – playing away to a team with a pretty decent home record prior to our visit – we were a constant menace to our opponents, who even when a player up with twenty minutes to spare, failed to even wrestle back control of the play.

All those games under Conte, where we had the fire in our bellies, enough quality to see off all and sundry on the domestic front, yet looked listless – at least last term – in Europe. We apparently did not have the players to evolve tactically. I found this tripe. A show of fear on the part of Conte. For we did have players to put in the hole. Tevez, Giovinco, Vidal and Marchisio can all play in the 1 of a 4-3-1-2. Instead we continued with a formation which was hugely focused on Bonucci, our wingbacks and Pirlo, as the creative channels. Which always seemed far too singular and predictable and a waste of the latent talent within the ranks itching to be unleashed.

We have world class centre-backs, a top drawer right fullback, and to play with 3 at the back at all times, other than when Bonucci steps out of defence, left us with an ultra solid rearguard, yet a man spare at the back who could be better employed higher up the field.

Now we have that extra man higher up the field, and whilst the system remains in a larval state, it is already producing not just results, but a cutting edge in the final third we have been lacking.

Pereyra is not yet a world beater, but his running and determination to link the midfield and attack is a constant threat for our opponents. The question I always ponder is ‘Who do you mark to cut off the supply?’. Well, in the 3-5-2 those players were simple to highlight. Yet now…with our offensive phase focused on the players most talented with the ball at their feet, we cannot be so easily blocked out, then hit on the counter.

Reasons to be cheerful…

Tevez, Pogba and Chiellini are in outstanding form.

Pereyra is quickly finding his fit in his natural role behind the strikers.

Lichsteiner has become a higher reaching mountain at the back.

We are creating better chances for our strikers and midfielders by playing through the middle, and the flanks are well covered by the Swiss locomotive and even our third choice left back.

Buffon is looking sharp.

Mattiello was superb when he entered the fray. The Italy U20 starlet almost capped his second outing for the senior side this season with a goal. It took a wonderful save from Marchetti to deny him after a rampaging run forward which ended with a powerful shot on goal. The gifted 19 year old Federico can play on either flank in the fullback or wide midfielder position.

We stomped a decent Lazio side in their own backyard and 0-3 could easily have been 0-4 or 0-5. And they would have no complaints.

Whilst our senior side were conquering Rome our primavera recorded a much needed 2-1 victory over Torino in the local derby. The goals coming from Luca Clemenza and Sergio Buenacasa. Which leaves Grosso’s young starlets in a still bothersome 5^th position in the league table.

Concerns…

Vidal remains very clearly out of form. He was injured towards the end of last season, seemed not quite right in the world cup and has since returned to Juve with more injury woes. He has yet to find his form. We all know he can do better, and its a matter of when, rather than if. In the meantime, Marchisio is a perfect replacement in midfield.

Llorente’s form remains…horrid. And with Morata showing such promise whenever given the chance on field, it seems that the young will soon replace the old.

Conclusion

We were generally superb against Lazio. Only the framework of the goal denied Pogba a deserved hatrick. The new system is making us far harder to contain. We are finishing chances like the top sides. Barzagli, Vidal, Evra and Asamoah are still to regain match fitness, yet we are looking phenomenal and good enough to achieve another scudetto.

Such huge weight will be carried by the players heading to sweden for the crunch match with Malmo, but we could not be in better shape. Our last two games have found us 10 goals to the good, with zero conceded.

I enjoyed our dominance and the goals scored hugely, and feel we are becoming more powerful a unit than under Conte.