Max Allegri stepped to the podium Monday evening, took a seat and subsequently answered the questions from the attending media. It was like any other day before a Juventus game — Champions League, Serie A, or otherwise.
Allegri has pretty much played the line of "I haven't decided my tactics, so let's just wait and see until tomorrow!" or something like it countless times this season. And while on the face of it it's an acceptable answer, it's pretty much something we've come to accept as Max just playing his cards close to his vest even if we all know that it's not totally what he's actually thinking.
That's why it's a little surprising that when Allegri rolled up with this line during his Real Madrid pre-match press conference, it caught me — and a lot of other people — a wee bit off guard.
.@OfficialAllegri: "Ancelotti said he'll play with four at the back? So will we." #JuveReal #UCL
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 4, 2015
HEY! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MAX I KNOW?
Well, I guess if Max is really telling the truth — and it's not like every single statement he issues is a load of crap — then the four-man defense is the way to go. Take that, Real Madrid!
The question to come out of it is this: Do you think the anticipated 4-3-1-2 formation is the way to go?
Real Madrid's attacking talent, even with them not being at full strength entering Tuesday night's first leg, is quite a tall task to defend. There's Cristiano Ronaldo. There's Gareth Bale. There's James Rodriguez. There's Isco. There's everybody else who makes Real Madrid one of the best squads in the world today. That's a lot of personnel to defend, let alone all keep track of over the course of 90 or 180 minutes.
Is going with a four-man defense the better way to go compared to having a 3-5-2 in the first leg? Is choosing a 4-3-1-2 and utilizing Roberto Pereyra the better choice over having stalwart defender Andrea Barzagli start the game from the bench because Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini are likely to start alongside one another?
.@OfficialAllegri: "I don't think we'll see clean sheets in either game." #JuveReal #UCL
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) May 4, 2015
So, I guess we should prepare some goals, eh? Bring on the goals! But only Juventus goals!
What do you want the starting lineup to look like? Knowing how he has played in just about every game he's played in since returning from injury, do you think having Barzagli start from the bench is the right move with sooooo many attacking options is the smart way to go about things?
And ... discuss.