A four-man attack in 4-2-3-1…
The 4-2-3-1 is not the formation you would notice a lot around Italian football. But when used sensibly, it has unavoidable effectiveness. The formation revolves around a double pivot in the midfield and a number 10 who plays the role of a creative playmaker in front of the pivot. Wingers, here in this formation, are usually not as advanced as it is in 4-3-3 formation.
The attack is led by a lone striker, perhaps a target man. Juventus would get some joy as they have the ingredients needed to form the recipe of a well-orchestrated 4-2-3-1. Now if Allegri were to field his team in this structure, how would the attack look?
Kulusevski/Bernardeschi—Ronaldo/Morata—Chiesa (with Dybala as the number 10): It’s not something extraordinary. Still, the inclusion of a number 10 provides the team occupying this formation with an adequate balance between defence and attack. Allegri has several options available under his shelves for the number 10 role. Paulo Dybala is indeed amongst the favourites.
The sharp-witted Argentine is a canny provider of the team. He likes to receive balls into spaces and find line-breaking passes with his hawk-eyed vision. Despite playing 1361 minutes in Serie A (as per FBref.com), the 27-year-old logged 4.70 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes — one of the best in Europe last campaign. The numbers suggest that he could be productive in that number 10 or attacking midfield position. Elsewhere, there could be one between Kulusevski and newly-married Federico Bernardeschi at one flank and Chiesa on the other, with either Morata or Ronaldo leading the line in different conditions.
Dybala/Bernardeschi—Ronaldo/Morata—Chiesa (with Kulusevski as the number 10): Football is a game of uncertainty. Every position needs one first choice and a backup, certainly for unforeseen and severe situations. If we perceive Dybala as Juventus’ first-choice number 10, Kulusevski could be an alternative. The 21-year-old disciple of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Kulusevski began his professional career in the attacking midfield position at Atalanta. Afterwards, he was deployed at central midfield, where he would operate as a box-to-box outlet.
Since joining Juventus, the Swede has played in several positions across the pitch. In his first game under Allegri’s guidance in this pre-season campaign, he was seen resharpening his versatility, pulling strings from different positions against Monza. If not as an out-and-out winger, Kulu would certainly shine as the chief creator for the Bianconeri. Not only offensively, but he could help the team in defensive matters.
Following the 2-1 victory over Monza, Kulusevski admitted,
"“I’m learning a lot from Allegri. Above all, I’m learning on a defensive level, every day I learn something new.”"
Perhaps the number 10 role would bring the best out of the Sweden international.