Juve, once upon a time there was a super midfield. Now there’s only Pjanic: not enough
With Claudio Marchisio out until October with a knee injury, Juventus are not going to play any of their ‘four musketeers’ in the first part of the 2016-17 campaign. Juventus have moved on: Pogba-Vidal and Pogba left, Marchisio in injured. The midfielders that Juventus fans used to love and opponents’ used to fear are not going to be there for the beginning of the campaign.
The only certainty at the moment is the presence of Miralem Pjanic as Sami Khedira’s tendency to get injured does not guarantee Allegri to have a fit player through the whole season. The Germany International player registered 18, 17 and 25 appearances in his last three seasons and the other midfielders that the Italian gaffer can rely on are Stefano Sturaro (also injured), Roberto Pereyra, Kwadwo Asamoah, Rolando Mandragora (injured), Luca Marrone, Hernanes and Mario Lemina (both up for sale). Not enough, in terms of both quality and quantity.
A solid defence and a terrific attack are not enough to compete for the Champions’ League victory. Two weeks before the beginning of the season, Juventus urge to reinforce their midfield because at the moment it is not as strong as those of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich that will be their major competitors for Europe’s elite competition.
From the four musketeers to the lonely prince Pjanic: Juventus need one new midfielder at least, defence and attack are not enough to win the Champions League.
Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
