Calcio Debate: Juventus v Sampdoria Proves That Ciro Ferrara Must Stick With 4-2-3-1

Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara promised entertaining Barcelona-style football when he took the job on a permanent basis in the summer, and 10 weeks into the 2009/10 Serie A season we finally got it as the Bianconeri re-entered the thick of the Scudetto race with a magnificent, free-flowing 5-1 thumping of Sampdoria.

Despite a promising start to his reign, during which Ferrara won five consecutive games, the pressure started to pile on the ex-Italy international as Juve entered a five-match winless streak and fell four points behind Serie A leaders Inter.

It is clear now that the main reason for the Old Lady’s mini-crisis - from which they have now emerged via successive victories over Maccabi Haifa, Siena and Samp – was Ferrara’s failure to place trust in the 4-2-3-1.

Diego was signed to be the trequartista in the 4-3-1-2, but it has sadly become apparent in the early part of this season that this formation is dying. No longer can teams build their play through just one playmaker, and opponents soon learned that Juventus were one-dimensional in the 4-3-1-2. Stop Diego, and you pretty much stop Juve.

The 4-2-3-1, aside from being the latest fashion trend among Europe’s top teams, is the perfect system when you consider the type of players Ferrara has at his disposal.

The team that took to the field last night and dismantled Sampdoria in a stunning show of attacking football is probably Juventus’ strongest starting XI, or at least the one most fans wants to see. Only Zdenek Grygera’s role at right back is debatable.

The 4-2-3-1 means a dream attacking midfield trident of Sebastian Giovinco, Diego and Mauro Camoranesi. Technically and creatively these three are the equal of any trio in Europe, and last night Samp just couldn’t contain them. Three pint-sized players roaming and interchanging behind a giant centre forward in Amauri. You can draw comparisons to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi supporting Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But the key to unleashing three creative little geniuses is to ensure protection behind them. And if Felipe Melo and Momo Sissoko can dominate the middle-of-the-park through brute force and physical strength like they did last night, then expect Giovinco, Diego and Camoranesi to wreak havoc this season.

The toughest aspect of Ferrara’s job now – should he do the right thing and stick with the 4-2-3-1 – will be keeping everyone happy. Juventus have three top-class centre midfielders in Sissoko, Melo and Claudio Marchisio – but only two can play. There are three international-standard centre forwards in Amauri, David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta vying for the lone striker role, although the latter can certainly rotate with Camoranesi on the right and maybe even with Giovinco on the left.

The biggest problem will be fitting captain Alessandro Del Piero into this formation. The only role I see him being able to fulfil is in the middle of the three, but he certainly won’t be first choice ahead of Diego. The left-attacking role the Golden Boy has proven time and time again he is too slow to interpret - just watch the video of the Italy v France Euro 2008 qualifier at San Siro for evidence. Which means that in the 4-2-3-1 Del Piero is likely to be Diego’s understudy. Given the 34-year-old’s legendary status at the club, this is something he is unlikely to accept.

But switching back to a 4-3-1-2 just to accommodate Del Piero would be a monumental mistake by Ferrara. Juventus have found their formation in 4-2-3-1, and they must now stay with it.

What are your views on this topic? Do you agree that the 4-2-3-1 is the right formation for Juventus? How will Ferrara keep everyone happy? And what about Del Piero when he returns from injury? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…

Carlo Garganese, Goal.com