Evra & Mandzukic: Two more leaders Juve needed after the Pirlo, Tevez, Vidal era
With an 18 games unbeaten streak, the Bianconeri are now the Serie A leaders and hope to qualify to the Champions League quarter finals, though they’d need a win at the Allianz Arena against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Italians Buffon, Marchisio, Bonucci, Chiellini and Barzagli were the cornerstones around whom the Old Lady has been building the team, while the likes of Patrice Evra and Mario Mandzukic have added some more personality to the Old Lady’s dressing room after Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez left the J Stadium last summer (Evra played with all of them last term).
Replacing the experienced and aggressive Carlos Tevez with rookie Paulo Dybala seemed a risky call at the beginning of the season and Junventus’ difficult start to the campaign confirmed such a feeling. The absence of Mario Mandzukic, though, was the real problem for the Old Lady as also Massimiliano Allegri revealed yesterday.
“Mandzukic is a great champion who made history in Munich and Madrid.”
“Sometimes he plays well, some other times he doesn’t, but his presence on the pitch is important for our attack. We wanted to sign him because could add to our team some qualities that we were lacking of."
“He has picked up the baton of Carlos Tevez. He is a generous striker who puts lot of pressure on the opponents’ defenses.”
It’s all about mentality and personality, something that you can’t only learn on the pitch. The same features that Patrice Evra showed off yesterday both during and after Juventus’ 2-0 win to Atalanta. Evra, 34, has won 19 titles throughout his career, including one Champions League, five Premier League titles and one Scudetto.
“Who criticized Italian football should come and play here", the former Man Utd star told journalists yesterday.
"At 34 I am still learning many things and I believe we can qualify against Bayern, otherwise I’d ask my manager not to play in Munich.”
“Last year someone though we were not strong enough to reach a Champions League final. Truth is, we only lost to Barcelona. We are great team with spirit of sacrifice so I am not surprised to see players like Mandzukic helping the team playing as full-back or central defender.”
A solid and compact team made by players who are always ready to sacrifice for each other. That’s one of the secrets behind Juventus’ success as Mario Mandzukic himself pointed out through his official Twitter account after yesterday’s win.
Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates. (Magic Johnson) #forzajuve #mm17 pic.twitter.com/pjR1qXuWVU
— Mario Mandzukic MM17 (@MarioMandzukic9) 7 marzo 2016
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. ( Helen Keller) #forzajuve #mm17
