2. It might be a turbulent period without Danilo
Danilo was indeed missed on a night like this. The Brazilian took to the field in the weekend’s mega clash between Juve and Lazio in Serie A on Saturday evening. Allegri opted for Danilo to play as a third centre-back in his adopted 3-5-2 formation at the Olimpico. Danilo had played the role several times before, and it was seemingly a rehearsal ahead of their Champions League tie against Chelsea.
We might have seen the Brazilian perform the same role yet again had the rehearsal gone right. But unfortunately, the game for Danilo didn’t end well, with the veteran full-back getting stretchered off in the opening exchanges. It was later revealed that the Brazilian will miss the rest of 2021.
As expected, the injury came to haunt the Bianconeri against Chelsea. With Danilo out, Juventus were already light at the back, meaning Allegri had no choice but to go with a flat back four with Juan Cuadrado at right-back. Not famous for his defending, the Colombian got torn apart by the individuals donning the left flank for the home side.
The five-time Scudetto-winning manager with Juve tried to nullify the threat by utilising Weston McKennie as a de facto wing-back. But, in front of a Chelsea side brimming with the passion for vengeance, the midfielder could do little to cover Cuadrado’s incompetence. Alex Sandro’s naivety on the left flank did not help the case, either, as Reece James had his way with the Brazilian.
Juventus next play Atalanta and had La Dea spotted the vulnerabilities depicted in Juve’s performance down the flanks, they will try to exploit those weak spots at the weekend. Thus, Juve need to be ready for a rough patch without the services of Danilo.