The left-back or the 16-year-old? Juve's attacking dilemma
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
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Juventus have confirmed that Paulo Dybala and Marko Pjaca are out for at least the next few weeks. Paolo Menicucci assesses Massimiliano Allegri's attacking options.
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Higuaín-Mandžukić
Allegri has already confirmed that Gonzalo Higuaín will partner Mario Mandžukić for Wednesday's Serie A game against Sampdoria. They are big enough names but have played together only once, apparently considered too similar for more regular runouts.
Allegri will probably ask them to alternate in the role of out-and-out striker and support forward while attacking wingers and good crossers like Alex Sandro and Juan Cuadrado could be used on the flanks to make good use of their aerial ability.
How about the left-back?
"Alex Sandro can also play as a forward," Allegi said on Tuesday evening. "We tried him in attack in today's training match and was very good." As the 25-year-old Brazil full-back has scored nine goals in over 250 games, that will necessitate switching from a 3-5-2 to 4-3-3.
Either Higuaín or Mandžukić would play as a central striker. The other would have to operate on the right or, more likely, make way for someone like Cuadrado.
The new name
Moise Kean, 16, started to train with the first team after Pjaca's injury on international duty at the beginning of the month. With Dybala suffering a thigh knock at the weekend, the chances of Kean becoming the first player born this millennium to appear in the UEFA Champions League next week against Lyon are growing.
"Will Kean debut against Sampdoria? We'll see," Allegri teaser. The teenager, born in Vercelli to Ivorian parents, was an unused substitute in Juve's last three games. He will most likely be Plan B, used from the bench.