01/06/2017
There is something
delightfully old-
fashioned about the
defence which has
provided the
foundation for
Juventus to advance
to the Champions
League final in Cardiff.
Although not
essentially a defensive team, there are times
when coach Massimiliano Allegri decides
Juve have to batten down the hatches - and
when that happens, nobody does it quite
like the Serie A champions.
Juventus have conceded just three goals in
12 games on their way to Saturday's final
against Real Madrid, at one point keeping
six clean sheets in a row.
That record has been bettered only twice, by
Arsenal and Ajax who conceded just two
each on their way to reaching the 2006 and
1996 finals respectively, although the Dutch
side played two games less.
Critics have complained that modern football
places too much emphasis on the ability of
defenders to play the ball out, rather than
their tackling.
But that criticism cannot be levelled at
Juventus central defenders Giorgio Chiellini
and Leonardo Bonucci, whose game is
based on strength, positioning, telepathic
understanding and a ruthless streak.
Once described as a "swine" on the pitch by
former team mate Albin Ekdal, Chiellini has
reached the peak of his game at the age of
33.
An insight into his competitive nature was
unwittingly offered by Fifa when they tested
video technology during a match between
Italy and France last year.
Referee Bjorn Kuipers, describing an
incident reviewed by the technology, said
that Chiellini came rushing over to demand a
red card for an opponent - just four minutes
into a friendly.
Juve's defence was at its finest in the
quarterfinal against Barcelona when the
kept clean sheets in both legs of a 3-0
aggregate win.
In each game, they were given valuable help
by forwards Juan Cuadrado and Mario
Mandzukic, who tracked back tirelessly - the
Croatian in particular often popping up at
left back.
“We have crazy work rate on the flanks,
both offensive and defensively, and
midfielders who guarantee the balance of
our team," Chiellini told France Football.
"If we don’t concede many goals, it’s a
collective success.”
Allegri has repeatedly stressed the
importance of finding the right balance and
often berated his team for chasing late
winners in matches where a point was
sufficient.
"There's no shame in being good at
defending. In fact, it's just as beautiful as a
great attacking move," he said.
"I am very happy for those who can turn
football into a show but, as far as I'm
concerned, if you want to see a show, you
should go to the circus.
"Committing fouls and winning aerial battles
are also very important."
