Analysing Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus – Part 1: Principles

The latter stages of the 2010s saw Juventus undergo an identity switch. From minimalistic club crests to differing ideologies on the touchline, the Bianconeri hierarchy have been incessant on moving into a new era.

The appointment of Maurizio Sarri signaled a watershed moment in the identity shift, as the club turned a page following almost a decade of the grinta-obsessed, attritional styles of Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.

Sarri’s a philosopher, a coach who distinctly contrasted the pragmatic styles of his predecessors. It’s his way or the high way, with his Napoli side emerging as one of the continent’s premier entertainers.

Ultimately, however, Sarri’s Juve flattered to deceive despite capturing their annual Scudetto. The former banker felt the full effect of an aging squad; one seemingly incapable of fulfilling the ideals which had returned scintillating results in Naples. His inevitable sacking arrived following a humiliating European exit to Lyon, soon replaced by a certain *checks notes* Andrea Pirlo in what was unquestionably a bold – I can’t emphasise that word enough – appointment, especially considering the options available. Mauricio Pochettino says hi.

More from Old Juve

• Juventus beat Udinese 3-0 in first match of the season
• Team previews: Will Juventus’ attack fulfill its potential?
• Team Previews: Juventus midfielders need to show growth this year
• Team previews: Juventus defenders look ready to compete for Scudetto
• Leonardo Bonucci may be leaving Juventus soon

So, here we are, as Juve travel to Sampdoria at the weekend for the start of the reverse fixtures in Serie A, where do we stand with Il Maestro?

Well, Juve are seven points off the Serie A summit – in a mightily competitive league, with a game in-hand also – have a Coppa Italia semi-final on the horizon and collected their first piece of silverware under the Italian icon in the form of the Supercoppa. I’d say that’s a pretty healthy return for the coaching novice.

But how has Pirlo gone about setting-up his Juventus side? In this three-part analysis, I’ll be running the rule over the boss’ key principles, as well as the unique roles of some of the Bianconeri stars before concluding with areas for improvement.

First up: Pirlo’s principles.

In possession

Unless you were actually sad enough to read a 28-page UEFA Pro Licence dissertation online (don’t you dare look at me) following his graduation from Coverciano and appointment as Juve boss, Pirlo – the manager – was an unknown commodity upon his arrival.

However, from the very first whistle of Il Maestro’s coaching bow – a 3-0 triumph over Sampdoria – his ideals have been distinct and have refused to alter up until this point.

He’s introduced a flexible and fluid phase-dependent system, with Juve’s 4-4-2 structure out of possession morphing into a 3-2-5 with the ball. It’s this flexibility which has enabled the former Italy midfielder to implement the four key principles which he notes in his dissertation: Costruzione (build-up), Ampiezza (width), Rifinitura (between the lines), Profondita (space in behind). The CARP acronym is popular with plenty of Italian coaches.

Build-up

So, starting with Juve’s build-up, Pirlo has often looked to create numerical superiorities in the first phase by creating diamond structures between four players – similar to what Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta do down the flanks to progress and penetrate. Generally, one of the midfield pivots drops deep in a bid to support the build-up, but both have been positioned in the first phase on occasions in a bid to draw the opposition upfield – a tactic known as press-baiting.

Overall, it’s a fairly complex structure, but one which has helped the Bianconeri play out from the back with impressive efficiency. Juve’s 57,277 yards worth of progressive passes this season tops Serie A, which is a testament to their build-up.

Width

Pirlo has created a lopsided structure in possession to ensure width is provided on both flanks. The utilisation of Danilo at left-back enables Juan Cuadrado to advance and maintain the width on the right, with the left-midfielder in the 4-4-2 out of possession shape hugs the opposite flank.

However, if Cuadrado’s out of the XI and Danilo creates a back three from right-back, Gianluca Frabotta will advance to create a source of width from the left.

Between the Lines

Maintaining the width is crucial for Pirlo, as it challenges the compactness of the opposition and opens up space between the lines for Juve to exploit.

Master space interpreters Aaron Ramsey and Weston McKennie – although they rarely play together – are those usually tasked with marauding between the lines along with one of the strike partners. This is a critical function for Pirlo, as these are the players who instigate combination play in the final third, attempt late runs into the box, and, essentially, disrupt the opponents’ defensive structure.

Penetration

Attacking the space in behind the defence has emerged as a primary source of goals for Juve this season, but the fluidity of Pirlo’s system means this responsibility doesn’t rest on the shoulders of one individual.

The rotations and interchanges which take place between Juve’s attackers mean their respective functions in the side are multi-faceted. For example, Alvaro Morata isn’t merely on the field to doggedly run the channels, he too rotates with fellow attackers and finds himself out wide and between the lines.

Positional rotations are generally utilised to confuse and overwhelm opponents – working well against low blocks – but Pirlo has done a relatively good job of ensuring that Juve aren’t ‘overly fluid’ in the final third. They must occupy the five vertical channels when they attack (both wings, half-spaces, and the central space).

Out of possession

Pirlo’s a pressing man. He wants to win the ball high up the field. He wants to sustain attacks. He wants the game played in the opposition’s half. He wants to seize total control.

Juve aren’t, however, the most prolific high pressers in Serie A. In fact, their tally of 586 attacking third pressures this term ranks seventh in the division, behind the likes of Cagliari and Bologna. Their tally of 725 defensive third pressures, though, ranks third in Italy, suggesting that Juve are pretty effective when it comes to preventing the opposition from advancing upfield.

When pressing high, Juve shift to a compact 4-2-2-2 shape which seeks to prevent access to the half-spaces, forcing opponents to progress in wide areas. If the opposition can progress into Juve’s half, however, they’ll sit a 4-4-2 settled block.

A staple of Pirlo’s Juve, meanwhile, has been their counter-press. A concept brought to light in the modern era by Jurgen Klopp and those relenting, gegenpressing Germans. The Bianconeri have proved effective at winning possession back once it’s been lost, helping them to the highest share of possession in Serie A this term (58.06%). Thus, Pirlo has often been successful in establishing control in contests, with his counter-press pivotal.

Only Atalanta (32.8%), Napoli (31.7%), Lazio (31.2%), and Sassuolo (30.9%) have a higher ‘successful pressure percentage’ than Juve (30.6%) this season.

Transitions

The personnel within the Juve squad make them a threat on the counter-attack. They possess fine distributors in defence – namely Leonardo Bonucci – while Arthur Melo is another capable of kick-starting transitions through his press-resistance and impressive passing range.

Ball-carriers such as Dejan Kulusevski and, especially, Federico Chiesa are lethal when attacking space, with the latter’s decision-making ever-improving, while the likes of Cuadrado, Morata, and McKennie are all threats in this phase as well.

Defending transitions has been a problem area for the Bianconeri – as it is for many possession-based sides – and we’ll get into a bit more detail in part three. Pirlo’s counter-press, however, has been successful at times in shutting out counter-attacks at the source.