Analysing Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus – Part 2: The Key Men

Juan Cuadrado

Juan Cuadrado’s evolution as a right-back has been pretty impressive. With the idea founded by Massimiliano Allegri, the Colombian was used almost exclusively in a back four under Sarri before Pirlo introduced a hybrid function for the dynamic 32-year-old.

While he’s used as a right-back out of possession, Cuadrado morphs into a key attacking outlet when Juve have the ball. He advances down the right flank to serve as Juve’s fifth attacking option in the final third, tasked with providing width and allowing either Weston McKennie or Aaron Ramsey ahead of him to drift infield. Pirlo has also given Cuadrado the license to get forward in attacking transition, a phase in which he can be so dangerous – shown late on in the recent 2-0 victory over Sampdoria.

Nevertheless, the Colombian’s five Serie A assists (his 11 in total tops the charts) ranks behind only Alvaro Morata in the Juve squad, while only Danilo and Rodrigo Bentancur (both 95) have made more ‘progressive passes’ than Cuadrado (76). He’s a fine crosser of the ball too, while his defensive nous is somewhat underrated – only Bentancur (4.26) and McKennie (3.96) are making more tackles and interceptions per 90 than the veteran (3.65) this term.

So, not only is the Colombian ever so dynamic and crucial in helping Juve progress and penetrate down the right, but he’s also emerged as a sound defender going the other way.