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Goal.com Italia's Sergio Stanco predicts what, how and who Luigi Del Neri's will work with...
By Sergio Stanco May 20, 2010 2:29:00 PM
Out with Rafael Benitez, in with Luigi Del Neri. The fourth choice has raised the shiny blackboard and comes into play. The former Sampdoria man has joined Juventus. And, we will look at what impact this choice will have on the Bianconeri.
Reinforced Door
Moro-D'Angelo-D'Anna-Lanna...all Chievo fans remember this nursery rhyme. And, for them it was worth the same as Tassotti-Costacurta-Baresi-Maldini. Del Neri is someone who usually has not looked out for big defensive names and his experience at Sampdoria shows this. Zauri-Gastaldello-Luchini-Ziegler: if the Sampdoria fans were told this would have been the defence that would take them to a fourth place finish they would have raised eyebrows.
Del Neri models his defensive unit. He wants it to be watertight and organised. What's required are two wing players who can push, but also contain, and two central defenders who are big, strong and have power and speed. In Turin they intend to start next season with Martin Caceres and Giorgio Chiellini who could both be the case, but as for the rest there is no-one else who can really be trusted. Nicola Legrottaglie will probably stay on. He was Del Neri's disciple at Verona and he was able to conquer Juventus. <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/gna.en/level2;tile=4;sz=160x600;ord=805406?area=2l&pos=2&"></script>
However, there needs to be another central defender, and a left back too. The names are those who have been around for time. Del Neri's arrival represents a less than grandiose market. Leonardo Bonucci, Simon Kjaer, Andrea Ranocchia, Domenico Criscito and Reto Ziegler to name a few. Aleksandar Kolarov is also an option. If Gianluigi Buffon remains in goal then it would be easier to sleep at night because replacing him would not be easy.
Who's Behind The Movie Camera?
The plot in midfield is rather standard. One with good feet who can give rhythm and balance. Someone who is good at breaking the play and moving in. At Chievo the miracle players were Eugenio Corini and Simone Barone. At Samp it was Andrea Poli and Angelo Palombo. In Turin it could be Claudio Marchisio, Felipe Melo, Mohammed Sissoko and Christian Poulsen. Of these four only Marchisio can be considered as the chosen one who can give tempo to his side. He would have to adapt, but Del Neri can repeat what he did with Palombo with him. As an alternative there needs to be the classic play-maker like Gaetano D'Agostino or a younger player who can substitute the first choice if needs be, someone like Simone Padoin or Luca Cigarini, for example. Del Neri would then have to undertake the challenge of relaunching one of Melo or Sissoko.
Four Wings To Fly
Del Neri is an author of the 4-4-2 or the 4-2-4, but he is not an integralist, well at least not like he was at Chievo. There are some things, though, which don't change. A four man defence, for example, and the wings. In particular, the Juventus coach, since his beginnings, has always relied on external wing men who are ultra offensive, have speed, technique and can deliver inviting crosses into the box, but who can also cut inside and shoot. Antonio Langella during his days at Atalanta was the perfect example.
However, at the same time, these players are asked to sacrifice defensive duties in order to help the wings. They are asked to break and overlap so they can help squeeze the wingers, so much so that they need to be substituted during the game. They are also asked to be flexible so they can switch wings which is another firm tactic from Del Neri. For all these reasons there needs to be at least four wingers in a Del Neri team. At Sampdoria it was Mannini, Guberti, Semioli and Padalino. At Chievo it was Luciano/Eriberto, Manfredini, Binotto and Francheschini.
At Juventus there are few players who can accomodate this. At the moment they have Paolo De Ceglie and Mauro Camoranesi. But, there could also be some adaptation, Vincenzo Iaquinta for example, but Del Neri prefers natural wingers. Therefore the first point on the shopping list is to buy at least three wingers. The ideal player would be Juan Manuel Vargas. Another player who could suit Del Neri's side is Simone Pepe because he has the qualities to hold out on the wings.
Where Does Number 10 Go?
With Del Neri's arrival, many have already thought about a Diego departure as he is considered a player who would not be able to adapt to the coach's systems. However, recent history tells a different story. Apart from with Antonio Cassano at Sampdoria, Del Neri used to adapt to a 4-4-1-1 with Atalanta. Cristiano Doni played behind the only striker Sergio Floccari. Ferreira Pinto and Langella/Jaime Valdes were on the wings.
If we speak about a classic trequartista, it would be tough to find a place, but if Diego was prepared to play further forward like Doni did at Atalanta - 21 goals in two seasons under Del Neri - then the situation would be solved. It would be like having a second striker, rather than an extra midfielder. Someone who can stay close to Iaquinta or Amauri, that's if these are the strikers Juventus keep for next term. Perhaps a box striker could also be useful. |
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