JUVENTUS
Ronaldo fuels dream
No club in Europe is in a more euphoric state at the moment than Juventus, with the € 100m signing this summer of Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest-profile player in the world, sending the entire Juve nation wild with anticipation and dreaming of a first Champions League title since 1996.
The club has an excellent recent track record in UEFA’s flagship competition and two runners-up spots in the past three years say everything about their strength at the very highest level. And under coach Massimiliano Allegri they have proved the ultimate Euro fighters, being opportunistic, resilient and so difficult to kill off.
Ronaldo and Juventus are two voraciously ambitious institutions with a common cause: Juve are desperate to return to the European summit and bag their third Champions’ Cup/Champions League crown, while Ronaldo craves bigger and better numbers in the same arena. With a sixth winner’s medal, he would join Real Madrid legend Gento as the most successful player in the history of the tournament and will become only the second individual – after Clarence Seedorf – to win the trophy with three different clubs: Manchester United, Real and Juventus.
But the Italians have fortified their squad in other areas, too.
Portuguese international Joao Cancelo, a € 40m acquisition from Valencia, is a promising attack-minded full-back; former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, judiciously snapped up on a free transfer, will add versatility and know-how to the engine room; and outstanding centre-back Leonardo Bonucci has opted for a back-to-the- future switch, only too happy to return to the Bianconeri after a disappointing oneseason hiatus at Milan.
How is Allegri likely to set up the side tactically in Europe?
The Juve coach insists he will not have a base formation etched in stone, preferring to mix and match the set-up according to circumstances. However, four templates stand out: an ultra-attacking 4-3-3 with Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic up front; the tried and tested 4-2-3-1; a 4-1-4-1; or a 3-5-2. Allegri will be aiming to keep Ronaldo and the brilliant Dybala in close proximity.
Who replaces Gigi Buffon in goal?
Polish international Wojciech Szczesny will step into the breach but he must cut out the unforced errors which have plagued his career. Failure to do so could see new signing Mattia Perin move up the pecking order.
Is an ageing back line a problem?
All of their top centre-backs – Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Bonucci and Mehdi Benatia – are 31 or over, which means huge amounts of experience but some creaking legs. Many fans were unhappy that Mattia Caldara left for Milan as a bargaining chip in the Bonucci deal.