Calcio Debate: Five Reasons Why Juventus Are Struggling

Juventus produced a dismal display last night in losing 2-0 to Bordeaux in the Champions League. Carlo Garganese lists five reasons why the Bianconeri are struggling to hit top gear.

Nov 26, 2009 9:30:34 AM

More On :  Juventus

1) Defence

The defense remains Juventus’ weakest department on the pitch. The squad depth in this area is poor, and the Bianconeri almost always look like conceding when one of Fabio Cannavaro or Giorgio Chiellini is missing. Right back continues to be a real problem position. Zdenek Grygera is not good enough, Jonathan Zebina is not fit enough, while Martin Caceres has been too erratic so far this season, and he conceded a needless free kick last night prior to Bordeaux’s first goal. A January signing is a must.
Don't Miss


Caceres - too erratic?

2) Momo Sissoko and Felipe Melo

At the beginning of the season I believed that Sissoko and Melo would form an impenetrable partnership in the middle-of-the-park, but so far the duo have struggled to co-exist. The main problem seems to be that both players are poor passers of the ball, meaning that it is difficult for Juve to build up attacks. The main concern is that tactically the Bianconeri have been a mess in center midfield, and neither Melo or Sissoko has offered the protection everyone expected. Such is the undoubted quality of both players that you would assume that eventually the pair will blend. The Brazilian, for one, looks very tired having barely had a break in the summer after the Confederations Cup.


Exhausted Melo needs rest

3) Alessandro Del Piero

The 4-2-3-1 formation is going to pose a number of problems for one man in particular – Del Piero. The Golden Boy has proven time and time again over the years that he cannot play as an attacking left midfielder – everyone remembers arguably the worst performance of his career in September 2007 during a 0-0 Euro 2008 qualifier against France in Milan. Yet, Ferrara opted to field Del Piero in virtually the same role against Bordeaux last night. The 35-year-old, who is at best 50 per cent fit, was doomed to fail. Finding a place in this 4-2-3-1 is going to be difficult as he can perhaps only interpret the position currently occupied by Diego. But, such is Del Piero’s influence at the club that he will almost certainly demand a starring role.


Is their space for ADP in the 4-2-3-1?

4) Amauri

What has happened to Amauri in 2009? The 29-year-old enjoyed a brilliant start to his first season at Juventus last term, scoring goals galore, and looking like he was developing into one of the world’s most fearsome hitmen. After the new year, though, the Brazilian-born marksman completely lost his way and the goals dried up. This season, despite a few goals in recent weeks, the poor form has continued. Amauri is a shadow of the player he was a year ago, and last night he was anonymous against Bordeaux.


What has happened to Amauri?

5) Players don’t suit the system?

Juventus undoubtedly possess the players to challenge for the Scudetto and perhaps even the Champions League, but tactically things are not working at the moment. As mentioned earlier, Del Piero cannot play on the left of a 4-2-3-1. Diego is a classical playmaker who requires intelligence and movement in front of him in order for him to work his creative magic. The same can be said about Mauro Camoranesi, Sebastian Giovinco and Del Piero. Amauri is a targetman and is often static.


Diego needs movement ahead of him

Furthermore, Amauri and other lone striker alternatives David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta are at their strongest in the air and need crosses to be coming into the box to maximize their impact. In a 4-2-3-1, the middle five players are all centrally-based meaning that the only crosses will be supplied by the full backs. Perhaps, Juventus just need more time to gel. With five new first team signings, it may be wise to judge this team after Christmas. What is clear, though, is that things are not working at the moment.

What are your views on this topic? Do you agree with the five problems above? Why do you think that Juventus are not clicking at the moment? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…

Carlo Garganese, Goal.com

Discuss all the latest in the Goal.com Forums.
Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
36 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February

    The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.

  2. DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream

    In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.

  3. ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein

    Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.

  4. LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction

    With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?

  5. ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment

    Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.

 
Advertisement
Advertisement