11 March 2022
Obtaining a positive result to put points on the board. This is the overarching objective for every team at this stage of the Serie A season, and this is exactly what Juventus have achieved over the last two Match Days. The aim of the visit to Sampdoria this weekend is to extend the positive run to three straight wins for the first time since Massimiliano Allegri returned in the dugout so as to maintain momentum and ward off the challengers for a place in the top-four.
The ability to grind out results in adverse circumstances is an ability all coaches admire. The extent of the injury list at the Bianconeri has certainly reduced the options open to Allegri to freshen up his side, but just as importantly, that same lack of availability has seen those players employed dig deep into their reserves of energy to obtain the desired result.
One such example comes from Dusan Vlahovic, who last week took to the field for an eighth successive match in exactly one month of football at Juventus. And following Coach Allegri’s ‘if he’s fit, he’ll play’ ethos, the 22-year-old against Sampdoria could reach the same number of club appearances that he required three months to accumulate in Florence at the start of the campaign.
Although for the first time in the black and white stripes, Vlahovic failed to hit a shot on target, he was involved in the thick of the action that led to the only goal last week against Spezia. His first-touch pass released Manuel Locatelli, who likewise fed Alvaro Morata for the Spaniard’s first goal since January 18, against Saturday’s opponents, Sampdoria.
Morata stroked home the fourth and final goal from the penalty spot in Juve’s 4-1 win in the Italian Cup, but since their cup exit, Samp have undergone a revolution.
Then, the Blucerchiati had just parted ways with Roberto D’Aversa after having slipped dangerously towards the relegation places. Now in the hot seat, for his second spell at the club, is Marco Giampaolo.
The 54-year-old has managed to keep his side above the bottom three with two victories from six matches. Those wins have come from the only two matches played in front of their passionate home support, scoring six without reply.
And they’ll be looking to tap into more Marassi magic again when Juventus visit, especially after the disappointment of losing against fellow strugglers Udinese last weekend.
To steer his side through turbulent waters, Giampaolo has chosen to put his faith in experienced journeymen, many of whom include a stopover at Juventus on their path. From Fabio Quagliarella and Tomas Rincon in their prime, to Albin Ekdal, Emil Audero and Antonio Candreva at the onset of their careers, all have worn the famous black and white shirt - as has the club’s most recent reinforcement, Sebastian Giovinco. The now 35-year-old has returned to Serie A since leaving Juventus at the end of season 2014/15.
One of Giovinco’s final appearances for Juve before announcing his agreement to leave for Toronto FC was in a 1-1 draw with Sampdoria in December 2014, one of only three matches from the previous 18 encounters that Juventus have failed to win.
What’s more, the Lady has sunk Samp in each of the last six meetings. Already this season, Juve have scored seven goals in the league and cup against the Blucerchiati, from six different scorers. The only player to score in both encounters, Paulo Dybala, is still working on returning to full fitness.
The absence of the number 10 should not be cause for concern, however, considering the wide and varied contribution on the scoring front: from Manuel Locatelli’s first ever goal at the Bianconeri to Leonardo Bonucci’s first penalty in black and white, to the first goal direct from a free kick since July 2020, from Juan Cuadrado, or Daniele Rugani’s first finish with Juve since January 2019.
Winning ugly or winning pretty. Goals from unexpected sources, or goals from the usual suspects. Neither matters as long as the three points are claimed come the final whistle.
