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4 reasons why Juventus must sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer

By James Cormack

ROME, ITALY - APRIL 02: \l2during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and US Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on April 02, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - APRIL 02: \l2during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and US Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on April 02, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images) /
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Well-suited to Max Allegri’s current system

Milinkovic-Savic has excelled as part of a midfield three during his time at Lazio. (Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images)
Milinkovic-Savic has excelled as part of a midfield three during his time at Lazio. (Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images) /

This season, Allegri has used a variety of different formulas in midfield. To begin, he used Adrien Rabiot in a hybrid function off the left in a 4-4-2 with Locatelli typically partnering Bentancur in the midfield pivot.

This changed slightly to a 4-2-3-1 around December time, with Federico Bernardeschi used in the hybrid role and playing closer to number ten Paulo Dybala. Weston McKennie’s influence had also started to increase by then.

More recently, though, Allegri has often settled with a distinct three-man midfield that includes Arthur as the regista, Locatelli occupying the right half-space and Rabiot the left. This dynamic encourages the two box-to-box midfielders to support the front three but Rabiot, in particular, struggles in this regard.

Milinkovic-Savic is well-suited to this system and he provides a completely different midfield profile. He combines a little bit of everything from Juve’s current midfield options: Rabiot’s physicality, Locatelli’s elegance, McKennie’s willingness to get into the box and Zakaria’s long strides.

The Serbian international has primarily functioned from the right half-space in a three-man midfield during his time at Lazio. He’s such a threat in the air, winning an impressive 60.7% of his aerial duels this season, and he loves to saunter into the opposition’s penalty area to utilise his distinct aerial advantage.

Overall, Milinkovic-Savic, with his combination of power, technique and aerial prowess, provides a completely different dynamic to Juve’s midfield. He’s an utterly unique footballer.

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