ALVISE CAGNAZZO: Juventus must get tactics spot on against Sevilla
ALVISE CAGNAZZO: With Dusan Vlahovic back in free-scoring form and a glut of options on the left flank, Juventus’ turbulent season could well end in European silverware… but Max Allegri must get his tactics right against Europa League experts Sevilla
- Juventus face Sevilla in the Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday night
- Winning the tournament could determine Massimiliano Allegri’s future in Turin
- Thursday evening will provide a perfect snapshot of the state of Allegri’s outfit
The success of Juventus’ season will be determined in their 180 minutes against Sevilla. Five points ahead of fifth-place Milan in Serie A, Massimiliano Allegri’s side have recovered remarkably in their pursuit of Champions League qualification, and it seems likely the Old Lady will return to Europe’s most prestigious competition next campaign.
However, no matter how impressive the recovery, a season without silverware is still seen as a failure at Juventus. After all, these are the giants with 36 Serie A titles, two Champions League trophies and 14 Italian Cups to their name.
Juventus’ first Europa League semi-final clash against Sevilla will be a perfect snapshot of the state of Allegri’s outfit. Sunday’s victory over Atalanta breathed fresh life into the team, which has continued to prosper since Dusan Vlahovic’s return to the scoresheet.
The Sevilla test represents a pivotal moment for Juventus. They first face the European specialists on their own turf on Thursday and could head over to Spain next week with a crucial advantage in the tie, providing they play as Allegri knows they can.
Angel di Maria (centre) trains ahead of Juventus’ Europa League semi-final against Sevilla
The Serie A giants are now bidding to end their turbulent campaign with European silverware
And now is probably the best time to face a team like Sevilla. Juventus has all of their first-team players available, barring the injured Mattia de Sciglio.
Meanwhile, in-form teenager Samuel Iling-Junior is heading into the clash in an excellent frame of mind following his opener against Atalanta. The English winger will remain at Allegri’s disposal until the end of the season, having refused his call-up to the national team ahead of the U20 World Cup.
Yet, if history has taught us anything in the Europa League, it’s that Sevilla cannot be underestimated. The tournament’s most successful team in history crushed Manchester United 5-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and almost play with a boost of swagger and confidence when labelled as the underdogs.
Paredes and Fagioli could be Allegri’s tactical surprise
Sevilla may be bogged down in the middle of the Spanish table, but Juventus will know just how poisonous they can be. If Real Madrid is the team with the most confidence in Champions League, Sevilla are no doubt the side that channel that in the Europa League.
Deploying both Leandro Paredes and Nicolo Fagioli in defensive midfield would offer Juventus more security, but Allegri will be wary not to mar the balance his midfield has found in recent performances.
The former PSG star will likely take turns with Fagioli, with one of the anchors starting the match and the other coming on late to close out the contest.
The feeling in Italy is that Juventus cannot opt for both midfielders, because they need to guarantee more technique in a midfield otherwise devoid of ideas.
But the semi-final presents an ideal opportunity to play them in different roles. If Allegri trusts Paredes in the playmaking role, his defensive stability would enable Fagioli to kick on further up the pitch as a half forward and support the attack. It’s a risk, but one which could provide the Spanish with a tactical surprise.
Leandro Paredes (pictured) could offer Max Allegri a tactical surprise against the Spanish side
The manager has opted for Nicolo Fagioli (left) and Adrien Rabiot (right) in recent matches
Vlahovic is on fire
The Serbian striker has overcome his physical problems and can finally be Juventus’ talisman.
His goal against Atalanta was a moment of technical brilliance and reaffirmed his superb poaching ability inside the penalty area, taking his tally to 10 Serie A goals in 25 games.
Against Sevilla, he will play with confidence and enthusiasm having impressed Allegri of late, and could be the difference in the crucial match at the Allianz.
His work at the centre of the attack is considered essential by his fans and coaches in Turin, and his physical strength seems to have been reborn thanks to the presence of Federico Chiesa by his side.
Vlahovic and Chiesa, who first played together in Fiorentina, will likely lead the Juventus attack in an expected 3-5-1-1 on Thursday.
The Italian giants will be delighted to see star striker Dusan Vlahovic back in goal-scoring form
Europa League glory could determine Allegri’s future
The two-leg tie against Sevilla is fundamental for the future of Allegri, who has a genuine chance of reaching the Europa League final in the next two weeks.
His season in Serie A has not been positive, despite a late surge for Champions League qualification, and Juventus could still land points deductions, taking them out of the top four altogether.
The team reportedly thanked Allegri with a special tribute in training for his efforts this season, and the manager could be branded a hero if he wins the Europa League, particularly as it will confirm their place in the Champions League next campaign.
According to Ansa, there was an excellent atmosphere in the Juventus camp as the coach was greeted by joyous applause and an ovation from his players.
Juventus’ fate in the Europa League could determine the future of head coach Allegri (above)
A new sporting director such as Cristiano Giuntoli could blight the positive feeling at Juventus. A rift would likely form between the decisions on the field and those in the transfer market.
The now-former Naples director does not want to be a puppet in the transfer window – and Allegri will no doubt still want to build Juventus in his own image.
Winning an important trophy like the Europa League would allow Allegri to have greater leverage during contract negotiations, and prevent a new director from commanding too much authority when they eventually touch down in Turin.
Juventus have firepower on the left flank
Despite chalking up 49 appearances and 3,367 minutes this season, Filip Kostic is at risk of missing out for in-form winger Iling-Junior against Sevilla.
Samuel Iling-Junior has breathed fresh life into Juventus’ attack on the left in recent games
Allegri must pick between the teenager and Filip Kostic (above) – or even play them together
The English youngster is proving he can one day become a top player at Juventus and needs to continue getting games under his belt. Experiencing big matches – such as a Europa League semi-final, will be even more valuable.
However, the prospect of playing Kostic and Iling-Junior together could scare Sevilla even more and force the Spanish outfit to change their tactical approach. With this in mind, Juventus head into the clash with an element of surprise on the left flank, and thus a tactical edge.
Allegri’s defenders must shake off injury fears
Each of Juventus’ key defenders have been carrying a problem of some sort heading into the clash, and they all must get over these issues quickly before facing Sevilla’s dynamic attack.
Europa League specialists Sevilla will hope to capitalise on Juventus’ injury fears on Thursday
Leonardo Bonucci is set to return after an injury-plagued season of consistently leaving and rejoining the ranks, while Gleison Bremer still has some muscle discomfort, with his legs needing elastic plasters to ward off fatigue.
Daniele Rugani and Federico Gatti are currently the two most physically-fit central defenders excluding Danilo, who has featured for Allegri in almost every match this campaign. The strength of the defence will be essential in their bid to pass Sevilla in the Europa League.
Will he bet on Gatti’s muscles or on Rugani’s experience? Will Bonucci and Bremer be 100 per cent fit? Will Danilo be used as a full-back or as a centre-back?
Only time will tell ahead of Thursday’s showpiece, but at the moment the only certainty will be Wojciech Szczesny between the posts.
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