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I don't like to assume one way or another when it comes to certain Juventus things, but I will assume here: There will be pitchforks and torches at the ready after reading that headline. Don't shoot the messenger, people!
Yet, there is 3-5-2 things to discuss here. (Apologies in advance.)
According to a certain well-known pink sports newspaper in Italy, Juventus manager Max Allegri is "seriously considering" starting his team's decisive Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night with a 3-5-2 formation. The desire to keep things the way they were in terms of tactics this past Saturday against Palermo, at least according to the Gazzetta, is basically down to one thing and one thing only.
- Andrea Barzagli is back and being completely awesome already.
Also of importance when it comes to this formation development: The health status of midfielder Andrea Pirlo won't be a determining factor for Allegri. It's pretty much built more on the fact that Barzagli is healthy once again more than Pirlo's health status being completely up in the air right now. Don't worry, this probably won't cause some kind of crazy war of Andreas or anything like that.
How Barzagli — who has been one of the most consistent defenders in Europe ever since he returned to Italy for the transfer fee resembling a $5 footlong at Subway — would fit into Allegri's plans once he eventually returned was always something that hung out in the back of my head. I mean, if Barzagli is actually going to be consistently fit for the rest of the season, why not take advantage of having him around once more? He's too good, as he's already proven against Palermo over the weekend in his first start since late last season, to not play more often than not.
Apparently that's the way Allegri is thinking as well.
The good part in all of this even if it means more 3-5-2?
The Juventus defense won't be so totally dependent on the still-out-of-form Giorgio Chiellini, whose poor run this season is still one of the world's greatest mysteries. And having one more defender on the field — especially one of Barzagli's class and effectiveness — is never a bad thing when you're trying to protect a 2-1 lead on aggregate. At least in theory, that is.
So, with all of this being said, I'll just go out on a limb and mention this: Max Allegri will be asked about his team's tactics even more than usual at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. That's almost a given with this latest tactical development surrounding No doubt about it. Let's see how Allegri maneuvers around the questions this time.
