Italy

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

Teams

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.

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

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