Juventus Finds Form Without Vlahovic: A Tactical Revelation

Juventus has surprised fans and pundits alike with two consecutive impressive performances, a feat not seen earlier this season. Intriguingly, these stellar displays coincided with the absence of a traditional striker. While this may be coincidental, it suggests that coach Motta’s preferred tactical setup might involve a more fluid attacking formation without a fixed number 9.

The team’s improved cohesion and movement were evident, despite Nico Gonzalez’s struggles in the false 9 role. As Vlahovic’s future remains uncertain, all eyes will be on how the potential arrival of Kolo Muani might impact the team’s dynamics, provided his registration issues are resolved before the crucial Napoli fixture.

Standout performances came from various players:
– McKennie excelled in an unfamiliar right-sided role, effectively containing Leao
– Thuram dominated midfield with his physicality
– Locatelli orchestrated play with precise passing
– Yildiz and Mbangula showed promise on the flanks, with the latter scoring a crucial goal
– Weah impressed with his speed and sealed the victory with a second goal

For Milan, despite Maignan’s acrobatics and Gabbia’s solid defending, there were notable struggles. Leao’s underwhelming performance and the team’s lack of a clinical striker were particularly evident. Coach Conceicao will likely push for reinforcements, especially in the forward line, a need that has been apparent since August.

As Juventus prepares for upcoming challenges against Bruges and Napoli, Motta will aim to build on this tactical success. Meanwhile, Milan must address their attacking shortcomings to regain their competitive edge.