With a Squad Missing Pieces, Sarri is Willing Juve Ahead Game by Game
Approximately a month into the season, Juventus is unbeaten. The Italian superpower has a lot riding to lose and everything to gain. And they're facing adversity early. Regardless, there’s been some brilliant decisions by Maurizio Sarri that have kept the Old Lady afloat.
Chasing Glory
Before we dive in, let’s set the stage. This season, Juve’s chasing a Champions League trophy above all else. A Champions League title trophy is something that has eluded the club for quite some time (1996 to be exact). The team has added some world-class talent this summer and the squad is brimming with class. Also, with a new manager at the helm, Juve has their sights set on European glory.
Playing Without True Full-backs
So Juventus have a right-back problem. With both Mattia De Sciglio and Danilo out indefinitely, Sarri has had to dig deep in order to fill the void. By deep I mean into his pool of forwards. For the past two fixtures, Juan Cuadrado has filled in at right-back. Luckily, Juve played two teams on the lower end of the table in, SPAL and Brescia but a Champions League clash against Bayern Leverkusen loom large today as well as a trip to Milan this weekend to take on league-leading Inter.
Juventus.com
Don’t get me wrong, Cuadrado is an excellent player. But he’s a forward playing way out of his depth. I don’t think he’d fare well against a team like Inter or even Bayern Leverkusen. But here’s why I think Sarri is a genius.
Chiellini A Huge Loss
After scoring Juve’s game-winning goal in their Serie A opener, Giorgio Chiellini tore his ACL. The 35-year-old center-back will miss the entirety of the season striking a huge blow to the club he’s served with honor for over a decade. I thought that Sarri could try and play a center-back at right-back. Merih Demiral, the young Turkish international would be a candidate. But by playing Demiral at right-back, Sarri would be stretching his pool of center-backs thin.
Milli Gazete
Maybe Pietro Beruatto, the 20-year-old left-back could fill in or Daniele Rugani who features primarily as a center-back. It seems like Sarri is sticking to players he knows he can trust. Plus, by playing two midfielders at outside back, (Blaise Matuidi played left-back in the last match in Alex Sandro’s absence) it creates an opportunity for Paulo Dybala.
Plans for Dybala
Earlier this summer, there were rumors that Dybala wasn’t even going to be a part of Sarri’s plans at Juventus. It was rumored that the young Argentine would merely ride the bench but this proved to be false. Dybala has started the last two games for Juve and he’s been excellent. His fluid play has allowed Juve to funnel their attack through him. With Matuidi and Cuadrado filling in at full-back and Douglas Costa out due to injury, Dybala has seized his opportunity.
Sky Sports
Even if he doesn’t get into the starting XI tonight, Dybala has reminded the world of what he is capable of. With two league assists to his name so far this season, Dybala needs to keep seizing his opportunities.
Alex Sandro
I highly doubt Alex Sandro will read this piece but I just wanted to say that my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Sandro, Juve’s first-choice left-back recently lost his father hence why Matuidi was filling in at left-back. Sandro recently returned to training so he’ll most likely feature for Juve tonight. Even so, I send a prayer out to his father and wish Alex nothing but the best going forward.
A Cloudy Future
So what’s in store for Juve this season? European glory? Another year atop Serie A? Sarri seems to be playing his cards right but he must make sure not to exhaust his star players. But at the same time, Juve is going full steam ahead in their efforts to secure yet another trophy filled season so there’s very little room for experimentation.
Stadium Astro
Sarri is in a tough spot. His time to play the likes of Rugani, Beruatto, and Demiral has passed considering the two remaining fixtures before the international break are tough ones. Now, the mad dash for the break commences with Juve’s Champions League clash with Leverkusen. Will Sarri’s men emerge undefeated? Only time will tell but if one thing is for sure, Sarri is making the best of a tough situation with what he has at his disposal.
