Juventus’ Defense Is Still Frustratingly Good

This isn’t exactly a hot take, but damn that Juventus defense can be impressive, even after losing two key figures from last season’s rearguard. Massimiliano Allegri has created a defensive unit that, on its day, can shut down the most potent of offenses. They don’t sit super deep or press super high, but their supreme organization dulls even the sharpest of attacks. 

The Bianconeri defense pitched a ninth shutout of the season in a 1-0 blanking of league-leading Napoli on Friday at Stadio San Paolo in Naples, the home side’s first Serie A loss of the season. 

Prior to Friday’s match, Juventus’ defense hadn’t been as dominant as it was last season when it allowed 0.73 goals per match, giving up a goal per game in Serie A competitions this year. But since a 3-2 loss to Sampdoria, the Old Lady has pitched three straight shutouts, including a 0-0 draw with Barcelona. 

Juventus vs Napoli. Photo: @juventusfc | Twitter

Although Leonardo Bonucci moved to AC Milan over the summer and Dani Alves left for PSG, Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Medhi Benatia still form one of the fiercest defenses in Europe. Admittedly that statement ignores the work of the rest of the squad, which in a way is the strength of Allegri’s Juventus. 

When Juventus performs as it did on Friday in Naples, opponents are left frustrated, wondering what they have to do to find the back of the net. Napoli had scores of chances, taking more than 20 shots, but never could pierce the defenses. In the first half, the home team had 96 passes in the final third compared to 14 for the visitors. Napoli had two-thirds of the possession but Juventus never felt out of control. It’s like playing against a brother who’s 5 years older than you — try as you might, there’s just no way to win.

Juventus had a few chances early and took the lead on 12 minutes through former Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain. Paulo Dybala completed a swift counterattack when he picked out his fellow Argentine in the box and Higuain finished well. 

Not surprisingly given the team’s skill and status as the home side atop the league table, Napoli poured on the pressure the rest of the match, seeking a win or at least an equalizer. Juventus turned every attack away. 

And when the Bianconeri did get possession, they used it brilliantly. Midway through the second half Juventus played 15 straight passes going all over the pitch before the underrated Blaise Matuidi had his close-range volley saved by Pepe Reina. 

If this is a sign of things to come from the Juventus defense, Serie A should be scared of yet another Scudetto in Turin because the offense has improved. Through 15 matches Juventus has 41 goals, a rate of 2.7 per match compared to 2.0 last season. The Bianconeri have scored in a record 44 straight matches. 

 partite consecutive a segno per la Juventus: nuovo record in @SerieA_TIM #NapoliJuve  #FinoAllaFine pic.twitter.com/bGNcUy1Bt6

— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) December 1, 2017

The Juventus vs Napoli result pulled the Old Lady to second in the table, a point behind Napoli. Inter Milan could go top of the table with a win Sunday at home to Chievo Verona, now just two points out of first place. But at the risk of overreacting from Friday's match, Juventus looks like the frontrunner.