Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus are built for the big occasion
In the two years following the departure of serial winner Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus sought a more progressive, idealistic coach to spearhead a new era in Turin.
Both, however, lasted a meagre season at the club and after Andrea Pirlo was relieved of his duties at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, the Juve hierarchy accepted swift defeat. The re-hiring of Allegri was praised in most quarters, but it did pose the question: What about the identity shift? One that was accentuated by the alteration in the club’s transfer policy since the financially crippling arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Queries regarding Juventus’ identity were ubiquitous as Allegri oversaw a historically poor start to the Serie A season. Even after the 3-2 victory over Spezia, their first domestic triumph of the new campaign, we didn’t quite know who this Juventus side was.
However, less than a month and four games later, a distinct blueprint for success has manifested.
The Juventus grit is back
Even in a land where the art of defending is appreciated to an unsettlingly high degree, this Juventus side aren’t going to entertain the masses.
They’re the antithesis to the archetypal modern-day superpower. They rarely press, there aren’t any sophisticated build-up patterns, and they’re not even the most efficient side on the counter-attack. Opponents can keep the ball against them with ease, and the vast majority of units would crumble in the face of sustained pressure. Not this Bianconeri side, though. Not the way they’re drilled. Not when they’re led by “professors” Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, as they were described by Jose Mourinho.
In recent weeks, Juventus’ entrenched mental fortitude has come to the fore. Chelsea were stumped, Torino were beaten at the last, while AS Roma endured a similar fate to the European champions. Sure, there was a hint of fortune in Juve’s 1-0 over the Giallorossi on Sunday night, but the hosts still edged the visitors on the xG (expected goals) scoreline, suggesting they were good value for the three points.
Against Mourinho’s fluid Romans, Allegri oversaw his 44th 1-0 victory as Juventus boss. 22% of his victories with the Bianconeri have come by that scoreline. “I like winning 1-0”, Allegri admitted post-match.
The manager’s pragmatic nature has seen the Bianconeri thrive under the brightest lights, and there’s no doubting that they’re built for the big occasion. The win over Roma was drenched in grit and desire, with Allegri benefitting from his emphasis on collective cohesion. In Federico Chiesa (when competent) and Paulo Dybala (when fit), they also boast the requisite genius in attack to provide the one or two moments they need in the final third for Allegri’s efficient methods to produce tangible results.
Is it sustainable?
Despite the meticulous nature of their manager and the sturdiness of their block, it remains to be seen just how sustainable this current way of winning is, especially in 2021. They often lack control and endure phases where it appears an ordeal to retain possession. The return of Arthur Melo will help in this regard, while Dybala’s presence single-handedly transforms their creative potential. Without La Joya, Juventus are bereft of reliable methods of chance creation and their systematic deficiencies in attack are glaring.
Thus, against inferior opposition – more so teams that are happy to sit deep – Juventus could come unstuck, and that’s likely to thwart a Scudetto charge this season.
Nevertheless, potential sustainability issues is a matter for a later date. In the meantime, Juventini can sleep easy knowing the Bianconeri are slowly returning to their vintage selves.
They’re winning ugly, Giorgio Chiellini remains imperious and Massimiliano Allegri is on the touchline. It’s 2015 again!