Palermo v Juventus
Serie A Week 6 – Saturday, 24th September – 17:00 GMT – Stadio Renzo Barbera
Juventus
Juventus rebounded very well after the loss against Inter and dismantled a resigned Cagliari team. The squad just looked relieved to have ended the four-game gauntlet at the start of the season: Massimiliano Allegri has stressed that all the opponents they have faced had finished in the top seven last year. Therefore, nine points should have been considered a very good haul, notwithstanding the garbage outing at San Siro. Personally, I think that every problem goes away when you are on top of the table, therefore all is good and we can move on from the Inter game.
Several things stood out in the amazing showing against Cagliari, starting with Gonzalo Higuain. It looks like the transition to his new side could not have been any smoother and that the lack of playing time is the only thing holding him back from being universally considered one of the top strikers in the world. He has scored four goals in six games, once every 76 minutes. He is a magnet in a box, chances seem to always find him and it is not a case that Juventus netted a couple of goals on rebounds after parried shots. Defenders are so preoccupied with him that it opens spaces for the others. Mario Mandzukic is a terrific worker, but he does not have the same gravitas of Higuain, so the Argentinian ace should play in every game he is healthy enough to feature in.
Hernanes played his best game since he is a Juventus and that is a welcomed sign. If he could hold down the fort every once in a while in these cupcake matches, that would be very helpful for the rotations in the midfield. After all, he is not asked to do much, just not lose dangerous balls in front of the defence and make few passes here and here. Hopefully this would terminate the “Pjanic as regista” plan. Dani Alves and Alex Sandro played great as well: while it has become a standard for the latter, the former Barcelona fullback has had few ups and downs so far, but when he is locked in, he is money.
There was a little case about Juan Cuadrado, who was allowed to leave the Tuesday practice early and then was on the stands on Wednesday. The official version is that he had some familiar issues, the rumours say that he was upset when Allegri told him he would not start and then the coach punished him. We will go with the first one and we will see what will happen going forward, but he will not start on Saturday.
Juventus have already issued the squad list: Sami Khedira returns from his one-game rest, Gianluigi Buffon is good to guy after exiting the last game and Patrice Evra is available as well after banging knees before the midweek game. The only unavailable players are Medhi Benatia, but his situation do not seem very severe, Claudio Marchisio and Rolando Mandragora. Daniele Rugani will replace Giorgio Chiellini in the lineup.
In the pregame presser, the coach said that it is likely that Paulo Dybala will be benched and talked up Mario Mandzukic as second-striker. Marko Pjaca will eventually grow into that role, but he is not there yet, according to Allegri, who stated that the fact that he came from the Croatian league, where the tactical element is not as emphasized as in Italy, has slowed the winger.
The doubts lie on the flanks and in the midfield. It is totally possible that Dani Alves will be spared ahead of the Champions League game, but there is no reason to field Stephan Lichsteiner and Patrice Evra at the same time in a game where Juventus can afford to be a little more offensive. In all likelihood, Lichtsteiner will play on the right and Alex Sandro on the left, but there is a chance Kwadwo Asamoah will be slotted on the wing so the Brazilian starlet will be fresher for the Dinamo Zagreb game. Of course, Asamoah could play in his natural position in the midfield, replacing either Mario Lemina or Miralem Pjanic.
Probable lineup:
3-5-2: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani; Lichsteiner, Khedira, Lemina, Pjanic, Sandro; Higuain, Mandzukic.
Injuries:
Marchisio (knee), Benatia (hamstring), Mandragora (foot).
Suspensions:
None.
Palermo
In a shocking turn of events, Palermo have already changed their coach and their sporting director. However, if they could survive the first rocky couple of months, it could be for the better. The president Maurizio Zamparini was never enamoured with Davide Ballardini and only kept him because he salvaged few points last season that helped them avoid a relegation that seemed inevitable. Rino Foschi is flamboyant and was destined to clash with Zamparini at some point, at least with this early divorce they were able to find somebody in the market. Roberto De Zerbi and Daniele Faggiano are talented up-and-comers and they have done extremely well in the lower leagues. Of course, hiring them was a big gamble, but they could have found something that sticks around for a while, and that would be a change, if they both panned out.
That being said, they are among the “favourites” to be relegated and on paper one of the weakest rosters in Serie A. As usual, they have brought in several talented youngsters from abroad and they will need four or five of them to flourish to have a chance to escape the drop. Also some of their other players will have to step up because the team lacks veteran leadership and that is an issue in the relegation race. They have signed Alessandro Gazzi and Alessandro Diamanti for this very purpose, going against their usual policy, but I fear they might have to add some more seasoned players in January.
Among the newcomers, Haitam Aleesami has been the most consistent: he was put right into the starting XI replacing Achraf Lazaar without any drop-off. Ilija Nestorovski is not super young but he might be what they needed: a pure striker with great nose for the goal. De Zerbi is encouraging him to expand his game, but his two goals against Crotone and Atalanta were fabulous and quite meaningful for their standing. Those four points allow them to approach this game with more serenity. The young goalkeeper Josip Posavec has been very impressive as well.
De Zerbi is a Zdenek Zeman disciple, therefore a 4-3-3 believer, but after being demolished at home by Napoli and struggling on the road against Crotone, he reverted back to 3-5-1-1, a scheme Ballardini had already started to work on. He added a little wrinkle: one of the two box-to-box midfielders sometimes is more advanced, to disrupt the opponents’ playmaker. It does not help the trident’s case that his two best wingers, Robin Quaison and Aleksandar Trajkovski, are sidelined with injuries. Diamanti should play be in the hole, but, after missing the preseason, he might not be ready to play twice in three days: in that case, Roland Sallai would be the favourite to take his place, but they do not lack options for that role, including some conservative ones.
The defence and the midfield are pretty much in flux. They are working Giancarlo Gonzalez, their best defender, back into the lineup after that he was on the trade block for the whole summer. The newcomer Slobodan Rajkovic had a very bad nose fracture and should not be available. Edoardo Goldaniga and Sinisa Andelkovic should flank Gonzalez in the back, but Thiago Cionek is pretty physical and reliable and could be given a chance. As for the midfield, Bruno Henrique has been their big summer acquisition but he might need a little more time to adapt: Oscar Hiljemark and Ivaylo Chochev have more experience in Serie A and Gazzi was rested against Atalanta. The coach also praised Mato Jajalo for his performance against Atalanta and I would not be surprised to see him in the XI to add some muscles. Andrea Rispoli and Aleesami will play on the flanks and they are the heart and soul of a team that is still under construction.
Probable lineup:
3-5-1-1: Posavec; Goldaniga, Gonzalez, Andelkovic; Rispoli, Hiljemark, Gazzi, Chochev, Aleesami; Diamanti; Nestorovski.
Injuries:
Trajkovski (foot), Quaison (hamstring), Rajkovic (nose), Embalo (hamstring), Bentivegna (hip).
Suspensions:
None.
Formation
Will be interesting to see what happens with Sami K back in and Hernanes out (if that is the lineup), and the effect that has on Lemina. I have a theory I would like to test out about where the problem lies with our midfield at the moment….
Care to share you theory Dar…..or is it better to wait and see?
Well, I actually posted up a pretty long and rambling reply last night to TGP’s reply to my post on the ‘Back On Track’ article (phew…). But I must have made too many edits again, as this morning I checked for any replies and it had vanished.
Basically my theory revolves around the effect that playing Sami has on the way the rest of the midfield functions, to be precise the way it forces other players to have to play, and the potential negative effects of that. I wonder if Sami only makes the midfield stronger when he has a certain type of ‘warrior’ style player to cover for him defensively – something that Mario doesn’t do well. Someone like Marchisio for instance. I know Hernanes has had some shockers for us, but I actually really liked the symmetry of Wednesday’s midfield, even before the match started I felt good about it. It looked better, more functional and more ‘resolved’ than when Sami plays.
Not saying Sami is not a top class midfielder, just that at the moment maybe we don’t have someone to work alongside him to make his strengths not also let in some (big) weaknesses.
Honestly, I may be just talking crazy stuff here (and no vodka ala TGP has passed my mouth)! But I am curious to see what putting him back in to the team does to Mario and his performance as well as Pjanic’s play. Let’s see if we can call this match like a sort of ‘control test’.
There is a good chance my theory will be blown sky high, and that is ok 🙂
I believe it is a tactic very much agreed between Khedira and Allegri, alongside a few other obvious changes to the 3-5-2. There is no doubt whatsoever that Dybala has been playing in a markedly different role and position. He seems to be drifting deep into the midfield and into the right hand channels mainly, although still across the field wherever the action is to be found.
Khedira is also playing a different role, with dybala dropping deeper, the German is moving higher, hence his high number of chances and goals.
It leaves a gaping hole in the midfield, which Dybala seems to cover to some extent, yet that is solely as an offensive force. Alves also loves to attack and so that RB/RM area with Khedira and Alves playing, is an obvious area for opponents to exploit. Barzagli can cover there, as can Rugani in his stead, yet it changes the shape of the midfield and defence considerably when we lose possession high up the field.
The main advantage of playing Hernanes in front of the defence is that he has intelligence and experience and is fine on the ball. His positional discipline is hugely superior to Lemina and I also believe he is more useful defensively as his experience allows him to judge the flow of the ball and of players more carefully. It was however, just one game, against arguably one of the weakest sides in the league, who offered zero threat and merely a few minutes of hustle.
Still, yes, I agree totally, we looked the most balanced in midfield since the season begun.
Lemina may well be able to develop in the RCM role, and Pjanic is definitely more open and comfortable when not asked to play a role he has never played as in a DM protecting the defence and acting as a screen and fulcrum. He is not in any way a defensive option, and I don’t believe Lemina is much better, just bigger and more aggressive, yet still no natural defender.
I would very much like to see Sturaro given a game. Yet he will likely be brought back into the first XI slowly, maybe given some minutes late on tonight. In absence of which, there is no reason whatsoever to change the side from midweek. Nobody seemed fatigued other than Higuain, who needs game to get back into tip top shape. Play your best, let us have another 4-0, which adds confidence and momentum. The last thing we need is to change system, players yet again, lose the little sharpness and confidence gleaned through the Cagliari game just before heading to Zagreb.
Chiellini finally looks like he is reaching his normal levels, and Allegri benches him? Dybala does not seem to need a break and the idea of playing Mandzukic as a second striker is wretched. His only value there will be to knock the ball onto other players, other than getting in the way of Higuain.
Lemina seems clearly more comfortable and useful playing as a more offensive CM, so we place him back at DM? Such moves do not help the team or the player.
It is a great point, DB…and one which makes perfect sense. Although I would rather we play big Sami than leave him on the bench.
Why not give Hernanes another chance after one of his finest efforts in out colours? His reward for the solid job on Wednesday is…the bench.
Pjaca is only going to adjust to Serie A by playing. In two of his brief cameos he has caused problems for the opponents and come close to scoring.
Still, I shouldn’t be too bothered by Allegri, for this is nothing new at the start of the season for his sides…And he has my total support.
+1 for Hernanes to get another chance. Did he not have the best passing stats in Serie A the season before we got him? If you lose possession then you are immediately under pressure to regain it, so I am all in favour of having the best distribution of the ball we can.
i don’t know why comments keep getting blocked – i’ve just approved two – one was yours….i never block or moderate anything in the comments section.
As for the theory, it sounds like it might hold weight. you make a really good point, especially when you look at Khedira’s runs and presence in the box – there’s also a stark difference to Khediras play when Mandzukic plays up front and when Higuain plays.
I’m looking forward to seeing this theory develop my friend…..you are on to something
Although i replied to you on the other thread I forgot a VERY important point, but reply here so that the other post doesn´t get banned for too many edits.
Point is simple:
– I think Khedira´s value so far has been he has been the Arturo Vidal who would uninvitedly crash the party on the front line making our 2 attackers become a trio of attackers meaning he could go to advanced positions compensating for when Dybala and Now Higuain trackback (Now that he has shown he can trackback too and be creative or spread play).
Because I JUST DON´T LIKE TO SEE ONLY A DUO UPFRONT full time, meaning that as TGP says when 3-5-2 actully becomes 4-3-3 during game I´d like to see Khedira become that 3rd one (At least until we get Matuidi/Witsel/anyone (I´d like Alexis Sanchez).
So I think the trio you propose should be the de facto midfield for Serie A games where we don´t need our highest aggression to actually win. or in away games when playing in Europe.
because I think the mid trio you propose deploys a pure 3-5-2.
I´d like to see Kehdira in games where 3-5-2 actually is not enough and we need a third ARTURO VIDAL presence to ake it three players up front.
I will leave others to agree or renounce my theory after tonight’s game. I think there is some truth in it though.
Well Dar this is unfortunate. Was replying to you and It got blocked erased, thankfully I saved quite of it as precaution.
Will reply to you sometime soon. But worry not, won´t be offensive, neither heated. Pure dialogue and argumental debate.
Some of it I have to rewrite
Why is Lemina playing every game now?
He best slots in that holding position perhaps
A little story about a connection between Juventus and Palermo for those interested. Apparently we have alot of fans in Sicily.
https://www.espnfc.com/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2730660/why-juventus-match-at-palermo-is-viewed-as-a-derby
I had to go meet a friend so I missed the part when Rugani went out and Cuadrado replaced him. Can someone tell me why he was subbed out so early?
I was eating while it happened but commentator said he got injured.
I hope it’s nothing serious. He was just getting warmed up. Not fair =(
Absolute shitgame once again.. bad passing, have a feeling that pjanic’ talent is being wasted in this formation. Rugani is off meaning alves had to play in rugani’s position and instead of changing formations allegrI keeps persisting in his 3-man defense. I think this team can do so much more, midfield is again awful today..
Khedira again not like he should be.
We changed to a back 4, with both Alex Sandro and Dani… no? I saw a 4-4-2 most of the time until Chiello came in.. although Sandro still had as much offensive depth as Cuadrado at times. It was a weird game, though.. not organized at all. We were all over the pitch.
Hopefully it won’t be like this against zagreb but I can’t say that i’m not worried.. I hoped to see pjaca in the 2nd half instead of mandzukic and allegri changing to a 4-3-3 with cuadrado and pjaca out wide. . But on the other hand, Max wasn’t going to do that with the score at 1-0
I can’t blame Marotta. Like he said, they had priorities.. maybe focusing on a midfielder sooner would’ve meant we’d miss out on another of the key players we got in this mercato.
I agree that we had a better game against Cagliari. But, meh, I don’t know. This was a weird game. I thought for sure I would see a couple of red cards.. and apparently 0-1 was the suggested final score in a couple of prediction websites, so obviously many of us expecting a different outcome were missing some key information. I mean, I had it 1-3 in the AroundJ app.. I’m never gonna win that trip.
Not seen the game yet, but how is my theory (see below) holding up that Sami messes things up? I am sensing from your comments B that there may be substance in it….
I thought our right side looked good. Cuadrado and Alves did fine, but was indeed still all over the place. Midfield harldy linked together well enough, But each put in decent efforts.
I read somewhere (forgot where and who said it, sorry!) that we have world-class players but not a world-class squad yet. They’re all trying their best but they’re not playing as a squad yet.. kinda like we saw at the beginning of last season. Not easy when you change so many players. But it’ll happen… and, with the amount of talent we have, it will be awesome!
Dont say sorry!
Yea thats an accurate statement. We just have to click and play as one body and we should dominate!
I just wish I could remember who said it so I can quote them accordingly.. it is such an accurate and objective statement.
I want to ask you guys a question: What does Mario Mandzukic add to this team?
Not just talking about this game. I mean since Simeone coned us and dropped him on us.
Hold up plays and link ups, but Higuain and Dybala are still far superior in that regard…
Is it me or have you been away for a while?
Well before coming back recently, i was absent for all of last season and perhaps more with just a bit of pop ups here and there :p
I think the last convo we had was me telling you i was gonna isit holland and that we d smoke a bowl together xD
Oh right haha. Some day John! I also miss the Pokemon conversations. But they won’t feel perfect without Marc here.
That bee-otch forgot about us </3
So if he isn’t useful why is he getting so much playing time?
Sell him to China or EPL John. I have faith in you my friend!
He helped bring pjaca here… And that dude has a future!
Mandzukic is probably a great character. And i dont think hes utrerly useless, but in no way do i see him deserving a start over higuain or dybala at all. He should solely be a back up. Which i tink he is despite him getting the starts agead of higuain for the early parts of this season
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3073b8b7ae044e2070beb78d3bb893f095c47d791c0c3c2e1090538072971cae.jpg
I feel Dybala is always happy
Uncle Pat to the left =D Love that guy. He and Dani Alves strikes me as real comedians. The once bringing laughter and joy to the locker room and pitch.
Idk why they havent made videos together yet. Would be GOLD