Squad analysis Serie A 2018-19: Juventus
Juventus will be eyeing their eight successive Serie A title when they start their 2018-19 campaign this weekend. Massimiliano Allegri's side completed the most dazzling signing of the summer transfer window after getting in Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. The Turin club have a solid squad to challenge rivals and go all guns blazing. Here is the squad analysis of Juventus.
Allegri has assembled a squad that bears some world class names. Striker Gonzalo Higuain made way for Ronaldo, who will be expected to share the burden of scoring. The habit of winning and knowing how to excel in Serie A makes Juventus a dangerous entity.
Ronaldo comes to the set-up after having scored 451 goals for Real Madrid across nine seasons. The Portuguese is expected to aid the Juventus attack with his versatility and sheer pace. Mario Mandzukic is a terrific hand down the left and will provide the hard work. Paulo Dybala, Douglas Costa and Juan Cuadrado offer the creation. Federico Bernardeschi provides pace and zeal at right-wing.
The marquee signing is expected to usher a new journey for Juventus and the main target will be the Champions League. With CR7 winning 5 UCL titles, he gives that extra bit in terms of winning the pivotal moments.
Juve's mid-field looks strong as ever and has a good look and feel to it. There is plenty of experience in Sami Khedira and Blaise Matuidi. Miralem Pjanic offers the strength and vision with new signing Emre Can giving solidity. Rodrigo Bentancur and Claudio Marchisio add vitality from the bench in a packed looking mid-field.
The central mid-fielder isn't the typical box-to-box player and offers a different dimension. Pjanic always keeps moving to create spaces for others even when he doesn't have the ball. His understanding of positioning is a key attribute and that will help Juventus going forward.
Juventus lay their base in defense and the re-signing of Leonardo Bonucci from AC Milan gives the added shield. Skipper Giorgio Chiellini is expected to partner him in central defense. Medhi Benatia, Daniel Rugani and Andrea Barzagli provide important cover. The full-back position looks strong with Mattia de Sciglio and the versatile Joao Cancelo. Alex Sandro is another vital player who lends support.
Bonucci had a rare season at AC Milan and was top class for the San Siro club last term. He played a whopping 51 matches in 2017-18. The player now is back at Juve after having played for the Turin club for seven seasons.
It will be a difficult task for any of the goalies to replace legendary keeper Gianluigi Buffon. Wojciech Szczesny is their hope to be the number one custodian. The former Arsenal keeper has been under the shadow of Buffon and it remains to be seen how he copes up with all the pressure. Little known Mattia Perin and Carlo Pinsoglio are other options.
