Bologna v Juventus
Serie A Week 26 – Friday, 19th February – 19:45 GMT – Renato Dall’Ara
Juventus
Juventus-Napoli was a masterclass of tacticism and defending. I reckon that the Bianconeri were lucky to come away with three points thanks to a deflected shot, after Massimiliamo Allegri appeared to have settled for a draw by subbing off Paulo Dybala for Alex Sandro and switching to 4-5-1. However, in this season, Juventus are no stranger to scoring very late in games and it should not be forgotten that there is a reason if the club’s motto is “Fino alla fine.”
Juventus extended their winning streak to 15 games, two matches shy of Inter’s record. Ironically enough, they have the chance to tie it if they beat Bologna on Friday night and Inter themselves in two weeks. More importantly, Juventus have overtaken Napoli on top of the table. I think that the Scudetto will be decided in the next month, where both teams will have to deal with a busy schedule because of Champions and Europa League. It would be hard to catch the Bianconeri if they built even a small four, five-point lead.
Mixed news from the infirmary, first the good bits: Leonardo Bonucci avoided a major knee injury after being pulled from the Napoli game because of a knock and Juan Cuadrado has a bummed ankle, but the ailment is so light that it did not even required further tests. Both should be rested against Bologna but will be available against Bayern Munich. Mario Mandzukic aims to be ready too and Kwadwo Asamoah will return soon as well. On the other hand, Alex Sandro has a sore hamstring that will sideline him for ten days or so. I do not think he would have played against Bayern, but he would have definitely relieved Patrice Evra in this one.
In the end, Juventus fielded a standard four-man defence against Napoli and it should be ever more clear-cut against Bologna, because the coach is expected to use his beloved 4-3-1-2. Therefore, Stephen Lichtsteiner and Evra will cover the flanks with Andrea Barzagli and Daniele Rugani in the middle. It will be interesting to see whether Allegri will trust Rugani against the German champions, should Giorgio Chiellini not recover in time. Rugani was decent against Napoli, but in that game, the whole team was very focused and really a one-man defence would have been enough because Barzagli played so perfectly. One of the most dominant defensive performances I can remember.
Stefano Sturaro is slated to start in the midfield replacing Sami Khedira, who will stay in Vinovo to work on his conditioning. With Cuadrado likely to be on the bench, Roberto Pereyra will be the attacking midfielder since Hernanes has basically disappeared. The coach said that Simone Padoin could take Cuadrado’s spot, but that is probably just a way to mess with reporters.
Simone Zaza, who by the way said all the right things during the week, should have earned himself a chance to start thanks to his huge goal, probably in lieu of Dybala after Allegri hinted that he has played a lot lately.
Probable lineup:
4-3-1-2: Buffon; Lichsteiner, Rugani, Barzagli, Evra; Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba; Pereyra; Morata, Zaza.
Injuries:
Chiellini (calf), Mandzukic (calf), Alex Sandro (hamstring), Asamoah (hamstring), Caceres (Achilles).
Suspended:
None.
Bologna
Roberto Donadoni has done a masterful job at Bologna: he turned what looked like a moribund, Serie B bound team that had lost eight of the first ten games into a decent squad that can stop anybody. They have drawn against Roma, Fiorentina and Lazio and they have defeated Napoli and Milan. If they have a little bit of continuity, they will establish themselves as a first-half-of-the-table side in the years to come, taking into consideration the wealth of the owner Joey Saputo. They are in tenth position now.
Donadoni has not changed Delio Rossi’s 4-3-3 much, but it is interpreted in a different way. The midfield and the defence are stouter now and he has managed to revitalize Mattia Destro, who struggled to score in the first part of the season, by making him the centrepiece of the attack and giving him more responsibilities. The Italian striker has tallied eight goals in his last 13 matches. Emanuele Giaccherini has been brilliant all season long and Anthony Mounier was a nice cheap addition. A playing style that includes quick counterattacks suits them all.
The only absentee will be Luca Rossettini, who was slotted at right-back since Donadoni was appointed, giving the defence great stability. He will be replaced by either the versatile Ibrahima Mbaye or Alex Ferrari. Adam Masina, a very good young player who is a force on the left, should return to the starting lineup after being benched against Udinese. Daniele Gastaldello and one between Marios Oikonoumou and Domenico Maietta will be in the heart of the defence. Antonio Mirante should be available after missing two games with an hamstring injury, otherwise Angelo Da Coasta will be on goal.
They are deep in the midfield and can field different combinations: the best one includes Godfred Donsah, Amadou Diawara and Saphir Taider. Kudos to their sporting director, the veteran Pantaleo Corvino, for discovering the 18-year-old Diawara in the fourth league and foreseeing that he could contribute right away. Donsah’s skills were well known after his stint at Cagliari, snatching him from the greedy hands of the top teams was a nice coup too. I liked it a lot when they used the exciting Franco Brienza in the midfield to have more playmaking, but it should not be the case in this one. The attack should be composed of the aforementioned Mounier-Destro-Giaccherini trio, even though there is a chance that Luca Rizzo replaces Mounier to have a more defensive lineup.
They are a bit better on the road, maybe because home teams played more openly on their own turf and leave some room for quick attacks, which is Bologna’s forte. Masina, Donsah, Mounier, Giaccherini and Destro are all playmakers in the open field. Preventing counters that should be Juventus’ number one priority in this game.
Probable lineup:
4-3-3: Mirante; Mbaye, Gastaldello, Maietta, Masina; Donsah, Diawara, Taider; Mounier, Destro, Giaccherini.
Injuries:
Rossettini (hamstring).
Suspended:
None.
Formation
Statistics
Infographics from Sporticos.com
Now that the european competitions have begun again, thank god, finally some real football again, i’ve began thinking of Italy’s role in europe. I think Roma did relatively good against Madrid, defensively they stood ground for a long time, but the attack couldn’t do much. One thing that stood out was: Mohamed Salah is a very very poor player. I expected alot from him when he joined Roma and i haven’t been overly impressed, haven’t seen too many Roma games, but yesterday he has had most possession from all of Roma’s attack and he ruined every single oppurtunity he was given. His first touch was terrible every single time. Very disappointed by him because Roma could have gotten a better result if he did better. El Sharaawy had a couple of bad first touches too. Maybe it would have been better to start Dzeko in such a big game, he has more experience than Salah and El Sharaawy.
Also, watched the first half between Fiorentina and Tottenham Hotspur just now, Fiorentina have been completely dominated. The stands aren’t full, because it’s the EL, which they should take seriously but whatever. The difference between the top teams in Italy and the top teams in England still seems too big when you leave out Juve. And England isn’t even top of the world anymore.
Must take into account form though comrade…Spurs are on a real high, have worked their way to their first serious opportunity of winning the premiership for decades, and had Fiorentina played them earlier this season, when they were in finer form, the result would have likely been very different.
I’m enjoying what Pocchetino is doing in London…lively young team. Dembele has become a monster. Eriksen fit once again – which coincided with their dramatic upturn in performances and results. A player I have long wanted Juve to chase, yet way too expensive now. Will probably end up at Madrid or another club who can pay Levy’s ransom.
Spurs have a very talented team. Eriksen comes from Ajax, i love that he’s doing so well now.
But Italy must overtake England in the club rankings and thats not gonna happen this way. Spurs are in great form, i don’t like to admit that as i favor Arsenal, but Fiorentina just beat Inter this weekend. You sure it has nothing to do with them not taking EL seriously?
Without doubt priority comes into play, yet the team which Sousa deployed against Inter is very similar to the side he chose to face Spurs. 7 of the starting 11 played. Yet four players different is indeed a rather large change although does our former midfielder have a clearly delineated ideal XI? I have not the time to research such a thing as I am focused on a interesting documentary about Yugoslavia…
I would suspect that Fiorentina are more focused on potential champions league qualification, or europa league qualification, than putting their all into Europe this term, for the financial dividends.
This idea of clubs not taking the Europa league seriously is mirrored also in the premiership. It works both ways. And so I am inclined to focus on form, more than selection.
What is your view, comrade?
And as for Eriksen…he has displayed blossoming class for nearly two seasons now. We will be priced out of his signature, which is a shame, yet I remain always keen on watching his performances.
How much would you value Eriksen right now? According to the ridiculous current football market.
You’re probably right about Fiorentina focussing on reaching CL. That’s the logical thing to do, the EL champion gets a CL ticket too though. I guess it’s easier to reach it via the league.
I don’t follow Fiorentina enough to know that much about them, i can barely follow Juve entirely lately. I really wonder how Fiorentina would do in CL. I don’t see their current squad surviving the group stage. Or even reach the group stage. The last qualification round is a tough one.
I just look at it from a Juve/Italian point of view and its frustrating to see that every time Italy depends on Juve to get points for the country. Roma have been doing well but had an unlucky draw with Madrid. Same goes for the EL teams. Lazio i expect nothing from.
Modric moved for 30M pounds aged 27 a few years in 2012. Bale moved for 75m pounds aged 24 in 2013. I would put Eriksen closer to the Modric value to his side, than a front man superstar like Bale.
Still…given Levy’s reputation as a hard as nails operator in the market, especially when it comes to selling starlets, and Eriksen’s age (24) I would assume the chairman would be seeking around 40m pounds…around 50m EU.
Well, its not something for Juve to be too concerned with, for at worst, I see us finishing second this season, and then likely back to first next season with new players settled, maybe Pogba gone, but at least 80m worth of talent brought in to replace him. Only another serious, ongoing injury crisis could see us worry of finishing below 1st or 2nd in Serie A for the foreseeable future.
The irony of this is that clubs beyond 2nd spot, could do their chances of champions league group stage qualification more good by focusing on success in the europa league to help usurp the Premiership by coefficient. Yet instead, they focus more on league position, seeking the top 3. Yet only one is realistically going to reach 3rd, and with it comes qualifying which disrupts pre-season and offers less respite and recuperation in the summer break.
If Pogba leaves we could realistically go for Eriksen. I’m not sure if our midfield would be better then.
The only player I can compare to Pogba, at his age, with his ability and potential is Zidane when he first came to Juve from Bordeaux. Different kinds of players yet both possess world class ability with the ball at their feet, both can shoot from range, pass beautifully, are incredibly difficult to dispossess and move forward with the ball at their feet exceptionally well. Whilst Pogba lacks the passing range, he is probably as strong or even potentially stronger than Zidane when driving forward with the ball at his feet.
I am convinced that Pogba, like Zidane, will go down as one of the best players of history. To replace him like for like will be impossible. However, it is possible that we can bring in players to change our system which will make us a stronger team overall.
Eriksen and Gundogan…Morata goes, we bring in Cavani. Cuadrado goes, we bring in Berardi…Add in Saponara. Now those moves would put us in a position to improve, I believe, as a team.
Serie A is doing horrible so far in Europe… Roma lost, Napoli lost, Fiorentina drew, Lazio is all square at the moment (1-1) and we are up against Bayern.. We could lose pretty much all Italian teams in the first round already
That would suck, but I’m pretty sure all Italian teams will make it out of their groups. 5 games left for those teams.
Groups?
Not sure if sarcasm for calling it the first round, but I meant the first knock-out round of course.
Napoli and Roma both lost (1-0 and 0-2 respectively), Fiorentina and Lazio both drew 1-1 and we will face Bayern.
So pessimistically, Serie A is eliminated from Europe.
Optimistically, we only lose Roma. I can’t see them overturn a home defeat against Madrid.
Napoli is still in the game, at home they are a force to be reckoned with.
Fiorentina and Lazio games can go either way.
And us against Bayern, well, this will be hard..Really hard..
It’s a 50-50 game at best.
I want to see Lemina play over Sturaro. 100% Lemina will be better than Stuaro now, and in the future.
I hope we buy him. He seems very promising.
He was indeed very promising at Marseille…as for his time at Juve? He has barely played four games! Seems a little early to be placing him over Sturaro or talking of promise shown.
From what I understand our option to sign him for 9.5m expires at the end of April, which doesn’t give him much time to impress.
You have this crush on Lemina like I have with Morata 😛 whatever happens, we want the guy to play everything.
Lemina looked decent, but to start him over Sturaro, not for me. At least not now. Sturaro has played great too.
That said, I do think we should make his move permanent
Great to see the early signs of Lemina’s knee flaring up once more were put to bed and the youngster may well find some minutes on the grass. He has four months to prove he is worth 9.5m. Would be odd to see him start this match as he must be rather rusty after so long out. Yet as a second half sub for Sturaro…if we have the lead, why not roll the dice.
Moreso I am keen to see Pereyra play in the hole. He is only going to gain match sharpness by playing. And to have another player capable of linking midfield and attack, canny in the final third, is especially valuable as we enter the most grueling part of the season.
Seems a done deal for Dybala to rest, and Morata will be able to play with a prima punta. the team as a whole will have a muscular reference point to aim for…
Bologna have earned some respectable victories since Donadoni turned their season around. Great spirit in their ranks. A game we must approach with the right mentality, as its no forgone conclusion we leave with the 3 points.
Thanks for the welcome preview, as always, Enrico! Would be joyful to find you involved in our mutterings below…
My opinion of the move to withdraw Dybala for Sandro is not at all that Allegri was settling for a draw (that would have been Padoin appearing) . Paulo was having very little joy through the middle, which Napoli had packed with bodies. Coming deep for the ball then trying to trick his way through a wall of players was wearing him down and achieving very little. He was kept to the one chance which he really should have buried.
Allegri brought on Sandro, it appeared to me, to put pressure on the full-back out wide, hope to draw a CB or CM over to also cover, whilst Zaza continued to engage his battering ram routine. This also allowed Pogba to move more central to where he is much more comfortable dictating the play than operating in that odd CM/LM role he had been deployed as tasked with creating width as well as commanding the middle.
It worked a damn treat! And seemed a very smart move by Allegri.
off topic – Does anyone have any questions for our friends at Bayern Central ?
We’re doing a q&A ahead of Juve v Bayern and i’d love to get your questions
Thanks in advance
As we all know, Guardiola is about to leave Bayern. He has admitted he is already thinking about his team at City. Will this have a positive or negative influence on Bayerns campaigns?(domestic/CL)
Both teams will have to do with a lot of injuries, mainly defensive ones. Which team will be worse off?
Expectations for the game in Turin?
how do you rate Coman?
And the usual one: best XI from both teams?
How do you rate Vidal :@
Don’t forget the angry tone :p
Vidal is obvious as it is xp He said in an interview he misses Juve. Sounded kind of sad, but he also stressed he will do anything to progress to the finals, so it doesnt mean too much i guess xD
I would welcome him back with open arms. But that aint gonna happen. Still upset about his move, he was turning into one of mu favorite players.
Same here man… I am hesitating to buy a jersey with Morata’s name on it atm, but would be kinda sad if he left next season
Yeah, but Morata will always be the man who got us to the CL final and scored our only goal in our first final in 12 years. Maybe best to wait till the summer and see if he stays.
Thats the idea yeah, long wait tho 😀
Gonna be fun seeing Giaccherini again tonight. Always liked him.
I hope to see Rugani and Lemina come on later in the match and i hope NOT to see Hernanes and Padoin.
Come on!!!!!
What a sloppy, sloppy game. Not a single decent shot on goal
Its Bologna ffs!!
What a shitty performance!!!
Bayern is in our heads. They are feeling it. Credits to Bologna though, they did well.
Lol no they didn’t, they had all those counter attacks and got 1 shot on target in the whole match. But yeah we’re def feeling bayern
They kept the champions on 0-0, i’d say thats a pretty good job for a just promoted team.
The champions kept the champions at 0-0, it’s all about perspective.
Haha thats another way of putting it.
I kind of agree here. It’s more about us not winning than Bologna beating us to a draw
The kind of game where you want to blame the ref for a lack of consistency, the opposition for their constant fouling……but you can only blame the team. It was an abject performance.
On the plus side, we have faced most of the ‘top’ sides in Serie A while Napoli have a tricky run in during the coming months.
Attention to Bayern now……Dear Lord, how i hope we beat them