Locatelli comes out among the boos, hole in midfield: will Pogba be enough for Juve?

Locatelli and Fagioli in great difficulty against Bologna, the bianconeri lack quality in the middle. But if the real Pogba returns...

AAA looking for quality in midfield. The big hole in Juventus 2023/24 more than in attack, where Vlahovic started the season with two goals in the first two days sending more than encouraging signals, is right there in the heart of the game.

Even against Bologna, in fact, the bianconeri struggled bloody well to get the action started cleanly with Locatelli ending his game amidst boos from part of the 'Stadium'.

The dedication to the cause and the generosity of the former Sassuolo are not in question, as is the fact that entrusting him entirely with the direction of a team like Juve represents too high a risk, especially if the goal is to return to play the Scudetto in the short/medium term.

DOWNLOAD ARTHUR AND ROVELLA

Without too many regrets sent Paredes back to PSG (who then loaned him back to Roma), Juventus seemed to be able to bet on Rovella. The young midfielder, back from an excellent season on loan at Monza, however did not convince Allegri who endorsed his transfer to Lazio where the boy was strongly desired by Sarri.

In fact, it is no mystery that the Juventus coach prefers more physical players in front of the defence. The most emblematic case, in this sense, remains the choice to focus on Van Bommel who was preferred by Allegri to Pirlo when he was still coaching Milan.

Now, however, the Livorno player has decided to entrust the keys to the midfield to Locatelli, while the Brazilian Arthur has practically been given away to Fiorentina without even giving him a chance. The former Barça, on the other hand, had arrived at Juventus a couple of years ago at the behest of Sarri while he never returned to Allegri's plans.

WHO IS DEPUTY LOCATELLI?

But who is Locatelli's deputy today? Fagioli, who also appeared in great difficulty against Bologna, is above all a midfielder for Allegri. Role in which Juventus also has Miretti, Rabiot, Pogba and, if necessary, McKennie.

Hans Nicolussi Caviglia remained in the squad , who returned from loan to Salernitana and Allegri liked him a lot during his tour in the USA and should stay in Turin at least until January.

In the first two days, however, Nicolussi has always remained on the bench and in Serie A with Juventus he has so far played just 54' in 2019. A little too little, perhaps, for a boy who turned 23 in June.

THE POGBA FACTOR

In short, the feeling is that Juventus haven't solved one of the biggest problems highlighted last season in the transfer market this year too, namely the lack of quality in the middle of the pitch.

When the opposing teams close up, none of the black and whites is able to turn on the light and illuminate the scene with a through ball or an ingenious opener capable of splitting the balance. Or rather, there would be one and we have already partially seen it with Bologna. The fate of Juventus' season depends on Paul Pogba's feet and above all on the muscles . If the Frenchman manages to recover an acceptable condition, the number 10 is still the man capable of making the difference in this Serie A even if not 100%.

His entry into the field half an hour from the end objectively introduced experience, physique, personality and above all lots and lots of quality in a department that until then had been largely overwhelmed by Bologna.

DOUBLE MEDIAN HYPOTHESIS

In any case, the big question remains: who can play the director in this Juventus? Pogba, although in possession of great technical qualities and excellent game vision, has different characteristics that lead him to range throughout the pitch. Furthermore, blocking him in front of the defense would be a waste considering the feeling with the Frenchman's goal.

That's why the simplest solution could be that of a change of form, with the transition to the defense with four and two midfielders (Locatelli-Rabiot). In that case Pogba would act behind the lone striker in the role of playmaker, with Chiesa and Iling outside.

A different Juve, probably more offensive but also less legible for the opponents.