Juventus vs. Catania PREVIEW – Getting Back on Track by Beating Elephants…

On Saturday evening, Juventus host Catania for what would be a run-of-the-mill home game. Except… it isn’t (like games in the Serie A rarely are). Facing 14th placed Catania has become a sterner test than it needed to be over the last week. Mentally much more so than tactically.

What a difference a few days make. Last week, Juve (and Juventini worldwide) were brimming with confidence after a great 2-1 victory over an unconvincing AC Milan side in the Coppa Italia semis, and very nearly holding on to top spot with two games in hand.

However due to a mixture of good fortune (see their game vs. Udinese) and impressive displays (see game vs. Arsenal in the Champions League) AC Milan suddenly piled pressure on Juve, a Bianconeri side that in the meantime sadly highlighted what is becoming an alarmingly obvious flaw of their game this season: an inability to penetrate defensively astute ‘provinciale’ teams. Their latest 0-0 draw at the hands of Parma is only the most recent example.

All penalty-controversy aside, the game vs. the Gialloblu confirmed one thing: while Conte has been willing to gradually adapt his formation to suit the opposition, he has been more reluctant when it comes to shaking up the personnel. Perhaps this game was the final push towards some crucial changes in that regard?

Back in the Fall, fresh off an encouraging (!) home draw with Bologna (Juve had played an entire half with 10 men), the Bianconeri traveled down to Sicily. Catania coach and former Roma hero Vincenzo Montella had gotten his team off to a slow start, with only 1 goal (a penalty) scored in 3 Serie A games, and while the ex-Roma striker had signed with the Sicilians after what was only a caretaker spell with the Giallorossi, he had showed some promise.

Meanwhile, Juventus started out the season with a thumping victory vs. Parma, a ground out victory over Siena, and the inspiring aforementioned draw against Bologna. The trip to Sicily, however, would be the first significant reality check for Conte’s side. In the midst of a downpour, Conte’s side struggled badly trying to beat gli Elefanti, and while the team had an edge in possession it was a fairly open game throughout, with Catania nearly matching Juve’s shots on targets and certainly matching them on the scoreline (the match ended 1-1).

It’s curious to think how much has changed since that game. Milos Krasic had an energetic game, causing Bologna’s own goal and creating good opportunities, but his stock has massively crashed since. Eljero Elia got his first start in Juventus colors, playing a rather mediocre 45 minutes before being substituted at the half, and the player has not featured for such a “long” period since (being relegated to second (or third) choice in the Coppa Italia). Arturo Vidal got his first start in Bianconero as well, and though he put in an average performance, has since become an important part of the team.

The list continues. After a good game marred by a red card, a suspension, and then a shaky outing vs Bologna, Paolo De Ceglie had been benched for Fabio Grosso (yes, the tan-man has played this season and was – unsurprisingly – tormented by Alejandro Gomez’s pace on the wing). Giorgio Chiellini and Gigi Buffon meanwhile, were looking uncharacteristically shaky (Keyser Giorgio was largely at fault for Catania’s goal and nearly gifted Suazo a late winner) while Andrea Barzagli, who has been a titan this season, looked strangely nervy for this match.

Prior to the encounter, Montella recognized the immense contribution of Andrea Pirlo, and accordingly had his midfielders pressure the ex-Milan playmaker high up the pitch. Andrea was thus unable to distribute in his normal fashion, which was even more important than usual as Juve had recently switched from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1. This tactical switch didn’t work well, and a post-halftime change back to a 4-4-2 ensured the team played markedly better.

Catania

Saturday, Catania travel to Turin in significantly better shape than they started the season. After a few initial hiccups, Montella’s promise as a manager seems to be bearing fruit, as the Elefanti comfortably seem to be avoiding the relegation dogfight. Though they struggled to score in the first few games of the season (and indeed still have a mediocre goal-scoring statistic of 1.1 per game) the Sicilians come off a 4-0 crushing win over Genoa last week-end.

While Catania are doing relatively well, their traveling record is still poor: they have only won once away from home all season (a statistic reflected by their goal differential) and though a defensively tight side at home (with less goals conceded – 8 – than games played – 11), their away form is not so. The team struggles to score, with only 7 goals in 10 games, and has conceded a fairly high amount of 21 goals, statistically (2.1 per away match). The irony may be summarized in a single sentence: at home, Catania has the 5th best defense in the league; away, they are tied for the 4th worst.

Montella’s men are in decent form however: an away defeat 2-1 to Udinese and away 1-1 draw with Parma are nothing to be ashamed of, and at home gli Elefanti scored 4 in a crushing shutout win over Genoa. The team has only won two games since the winter break, but its draws and losses have been decent displays.

In the past Catania was jokingly called “Argentina B”, as their roster was comprised of more Argentineans than Inter Milan even. In recent years, they could be considered sort of a home for Bianconeri outcasts (a ‘Juventus C’ if you will) with three ex-Juventini in their starting line-up, plus of course Davide Lanzafame on the bench, after Montella’s failed experiment with the player at wingback. All players have different stories from their times in Turin, and different reasons to be seeking redemption and/or revenge.

First in the list, Nicola Legrottaglie was considered a massive bust until Calciopoli restored his spot in the starting lineup, and indeed, his reputation among Juventus fans. The other two exes had done well in the provinces but when arriving at Juve, failed to match their early promises. Sergio Almirón perhaps can consider his own spell in Turin unfortunate, as he was given little chance to prove himself and eventually accepted loan moves to Monaco, Fiorentina and Bari. The same cannot be said for Marco Motta, who not only was given far too many chances but also refused to move in the Summer. The three have, since then, done quite well at Catania.

The Elefanti have several other dangerous players: Francesco Lodi is one of the more underrated playmakers in Italy and also the man whose late-time free-kick sent Juventus players into fury last Spring, when Catania drew Juventus 2-2 at the death in Torino. Young Argentine winger Alejandro Gomez (the replacement of Juventus transfer-bust Jorge Martinez) has been a success in Sicily, a very short player with quick feet and frequent running propensity. Gomez tormented Grosso back in September for the andata match, and though the ‘Juventus Stadium’ factor might make things easier this time, whoever Juve fields on its left flank will have to be attentive to the diminutive Argie.

Juventus

This will be a big match for the Bianconeri after a disappointing week. As mentioned, Juventus defeated AC Milan in the Coppa Italia just a week ago, and momentum was riding before the goals dried up. The 0-0 draws with Siena and Parma were quite similar, with both teams taking no initiative to attack (getting stuffed out whenever they did), and Juve dominating possession/creating most chances. Of course, the Parma game had the added bonus of referees denying penalties left and right…

There will be a lot of pressure on Juventus to score Saturday: the most disappointing factor of the two 0-0 draws was certainly Juve’s inability to get on the scoresheet, though it must be said Parma and Siena defended well. The forwards are all misfiring at the moment (though Matri has been denied by super saves) and the midfield and defense has been unable to get into good scoring positions. The last goals by Juventus were scored by Cáceres (two against Milan), Matri (two against Udinese), Lichtsteiner and Giaccherini (one each against Atalanta). That’s as many goals by defenders as midfielders/strikers!

Mirko Vucinic has largely avoided much of the blame from the media, but needs to step up his performance significantly. While his presence on the pitch improves Matri, Mirko needs to score. His three goals this season have all been unimpressive tap-ins, and his shooting accuracy has been rather poor. While he generally plays good games (participating in build-up, giving key passes), this simply isn’t sufficient at the moment.

While Parma and Siena simply defended incredibly well against Juve, there’s a valid suggestion the Bianconeri are too static against the smaller teams. There have been criticism against the 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 both, but it is also significantly due to the player selection. Against smaller teams resolved to finish the match 0-0 (or 1-1), Conte needs to sacrifice either defense or midfield to add more attacking outlets, whether by shifting personnel or even returning to a more open formation like the 4-2-4, a tatic which bore fruit against Catania in the Fall.

Estigarribia and Lichtsteiner, for example, provide plenty of coverage in a 3-5-2 and did great against Napoli and Udinese to counter their wingback threats, but have largely been ineffectual in offense against the smaller teams in that role. Both don’t have a very good shot or cross, and should be swapped for a more offensive wingback, like De Ceglie or Cáceres. In midfield, Juventus largely dominate affairs but perhaps the team should sacrifice some ball possession for a linkup between midfield and attack, for instance swapping either Marchisio or Vidal out for a creative player like Giaccherini.

In these examples (or indeed the 4-4-2/4-2-4), Juventus lose either defensive solidity or midfield possession. But it’s a gamble worth taking, against smaller sides less inclined to play an open match against a tougher opponent. The final change that Conte should consider is a classical seconda punta next to Alessandro Matri. Whether Mirko Vucinic plays more centrally, or Fabio Quagliarella is brought in, we need another striker scoring significant amount of goals other than Alessandro Matri.

There is another option to that final change: Conte has perhaps attempted to free the team off reliance on Alessandro Del Piero, which has persisted through the years, but il Capitano still has goals in his boots and creativity in his legs. If he is in decent form, ADP would be the perfect type of technical, creative goal threat to put up top next to Matri and while he may not have much time left at Juventus, he can most definitely still contribute.

While no one in their right mind would object to the results of Conte’s reign so far, it seems obvious that Saturday night’s home game against Catania is exactly the place to re-ignite the fire and belief. No disrespect to Catania, but their playing style away from home hardly warrants a cautious approach from a side challenging for the title. In fact, there are numerous reasons why such an attitude should not be adapted.

Not only does this match present the opportunity to reclaim first place, but also the chance to re-evaluate the performances of certain players in light of recent league results (yes, Mirko, we are looking at you!) – especially with players like Del Piero, Quagliarela and Elia waiting in the wings…

Lots to be said, even more to be done. But as always:

In Conte we trust!