Juventus have totally put a chokehold on the Serie A for the past few years and have rightfully earned their place as one of the best teams in Europe. Who dares claim they have a better defensive force than Juve? Just try it and let me slap you.
For all their dominance in Italy, it's been a crime they have not been involved in more Champions League finals or even won at least one of these trophies in the years Conte was around and the two that Allegri has had.
One area where Juventus have struggled has been on the wings. As good as their defence, midfield and attack is, they have not had a really good player out wide for some time. The best that I can remember was Nedved, and you have to really go far back. Although, Cuadrado was really good and I have no idea why they didn't fight to sign him on a full contract. Every time I saw him play, he was effective and gave Juventus that much needed spark in that area.
Dani Alves was a player who I thought would either retire at Barcelona or move back to Brazil for his final years before putting the boots away for good. I didn't think he would make a move to another European giant because everything seemed so rosy at Barcelona and he had a great rapport with Messi, Neymar, Rafinha and Adriano. How Allegri managed to pull this off is what you call superb business, because they got themselves and excellent footballer.
There are two right backs in the world that stand head and shoulders above anyone else. I rate and stand by my claim that Lahm is the best right back of all time and will be happy to argue with anyone on that. As for Alves, he is second only to the German which ain't bad if you ask me. So for Juventus to get the second best RB in the world is all kinds of winning.
Let's talk about Lichtsteiner can we?
You can't fault him for trying. He will give you 110% in every game and his passion is perfect for team unity in a season. As far as how good he is at the game of football, he falls short because there's not a lot to his game.
He's not that great at dribbling, isn't quick and his crossing is very standard. All you get is a really hard worker that does the basics well and is consistent. So part of a such a great team as Juventus, he fits in perfectly but a big club must always seek to improve and do better. In order to do that, Lichtsteiner has to be replaced.
I'm glad that Allegri has seen what I have for so long, and that is the right wing back position has needed a serious upgrade. There have been many instances where Juventus launch an attack and Lichsteiner gets it in a really good position. but because of his lack of skill to produce an intelligent cross or beat his man, it all breaks down.
Dani Alves solves that problem. He is better in almost every department with maybe Lichtsteiner being a lot tougher to get past. That is what I will always give the Swiss man, he is tenacious and really strong, and will put in a hard tackle to win the ball.
But Alves kills him in all other areas.
Juventus now have a right flanker that can dribble, is quicker, can put in a great cross and gives them so much more imagination and creativity. A perfect example of this is the assist that Alves produced with the outside of his foot to Messi in a game against PSG. Not a lot of players in the world can do that, let alone right backs.
I think this is a really good move for Alves. It's a new challenge, new league, which means that this now breathes some new life into his career. Staying on the winning train that is Barcelona with that frontline, where they can win the La Liga at will can get boring. Okay, just realised he would be doing the same thing at Juventus but there is still the challenge of bringing the Champions League back to Turin, something that hasn't been done since Vialli.
Juventus also could do with an attacking winger, before they should be feared by all teams, including Madrid and Munich but Alves makes them a serious force now. Now they have a footballer on the flank that can do some serious damage up and down the right hand side. HH
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