Juventus took another step towards a sixth successive Serie A title with a routine 2-0 win at Crotone and their seven-point lead at the top owes much to the tactical innovation and squad rotation of coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Ahead of tomorrow’s match in Cagliari, the manager who regularly linked with a move to the Premier League will again look to shuffle his pack.
Roma, in second, will also fancy their chances of making up ground against Crotone before Juventus play.
It is no secret that Juve have the division’s strongest squad, yet Allegri’s bold tactical tweaks have ensured they have remained fresh.
New solutions – and heroes – have emerged.
Against Inter on Sunday, it was Juan Cuadrado who settled a physical contest but he was rested against Crotone as Allegri gave summer signing Marko Pjaca his first start.
Allegri has also coped without injured Claudio Marchisio, with Stefano Sturaro or January signing Tomas Rincon seamlessly stepping into midfield.
“I quickly realised that this team has a real will to win,” Rincon told Juve’s website.
“We’re a strong side, with a lot of quality throughout the squad.
“I’ll try to work my way into the team,” he added.
“I knew it would be tough when I came here. I’ll be ready whenever the coach needs me.”
Striker Mario Mandzukic has also been made to wait for opportunities but has shone when called upon, notably with the opening goal against Crotone.
“(Mandzukic) will be key in this second half of the season,” Allegri said. “The more he plays, the more he’s developing.
“He’s able to play game after game in quick succession (and) will get a chance to rest and recover too.”
Allegri has moved away from his tried-and-tested 4-3-1-2 formation and experimented with an attractive 4-2-3-1 approach that has helped Juventus to five straight victories.
As the business end of the season approaches, he can also welcome experienced Dani Alves back into his side after two months out with a broken leg.
His return creates another selection headache for Allegri, but the coach has proved a master of squad rotation and tactical tweaks and tomorrow’s game should be another step towards yet another title.
Fixtures
Serie A
Played yesterday
Napoli 2
Zielinski 50; Giaccherini 68;
Genoa 0
HT: 0-0. Att: 34,000.
Today
Fiorentina vs Udinese - 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Crotone vs Roma - 12.30
Inter vs Empoli
Palermo vs Atalanta
Sassuolo vs Chievo
Torino vs Pescara
Sampdoria vs Bologna - 18.00
Cagliari vs Juventus - 20.45
Monday
Lazio vs Milan - 20.45
Standings: Juve 54; Napoli 51; Roma 50; Lazio 43; Atalanta, Inter 42; Fiorentina, Milan 37; Torino 32; Sampdoria 30; Chievo, Udinese 29; Bologna, Cagliari, Sassuolo 27; Genoa 25; Empoli 22; Palermo 14; Crotone 13; Pescara 9.
Serie B
Played yesterday
Vicenza vs Salernitana - 0-1
Playing today – 15.00
Ascoli vs Trapani
Avellino vs Hellas Verona
Cesena vs Bari
Brescia vs Pisa
Novara vs Cittadella
Pro Vercelli vs Spezia
Frosinone vs Carpi
Benevento vs Latina
Virtus Entella vs SPAL - 18.00
Tomorrow
Ternana vs Perugia - 15.00
Leading standings: Verona 45; Frosinone 44; Spal 41; Benevento 40; Cittadella 38; Perugia 35.