The Wide Angle: Stephan Lichtsteiner, Giorgio Chiellini & Christian Maggio
The problems Juventus have endured over the past few seasons, through a string of poor quality fullbacks, has been well documented and earlier in the season this blog focused on the investments made by the club in that position over the summer. It looked specifically at the arrival of Swiss international duo Stephan Lichtsteiner and Reto Ziegler and, while the latter barely landed in Turin before he was sent to Turkey by Antonio Conte, the former has cemented his reputation as one of Serie A's strongest full-backs.
His contribution in solidifying the Bianconeri defence has been immense, averaging 2.3 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 3.3 clearances per game as he proves an incredibly tough opponent for the wingers lining up against him. This was particularly evident in last weeks Derby d'Italia when he denied Inter any success down their left hand side for almost the entire game.
As well as stopping opponents he has added much to the Juve attack too, linking well with a number of different players as Conte rotates between Simone Pepe, Emmanuele Giaccherini and Milos Krasic on the wing. Lichtsteiner, in addition to scoring the first official goal at the new Juventus Stadium (during the 4-1 win over Parma), has completed almost 50 passes per game at an unexpected 88% completion rate. Unsurprising for a man nicknamed Forrest Gump, he has constantly run beyond the midfield to create space and provide an option on the overlap.
Sadly on the opposite flank it has been a continuation of those same issues that have blighted the club since the departure of Gianluca Zambrotta to Barcelona in 2006. Paolo De Ceglie was sent off on that opening day victory over Parma and has made just two appearances since, seemingly struggling to win back the confidence of his coach. In light of his struggles and, while the reasons for Ziegler's "Hi......bye" stint are understandable to those who appreciate both what Conte is building and his outlook on team building, the lack of a viable alternative at left-back has become the one real negative on the Old Lady's revitalised start to the season.
After a brief experiment with Fabio Grosso - now once again an outcast in a squad he's never really been a part of - Conte turned to Giorgio Chiellini. It was a solution first used by Gigi Delneri last season, restoring the Italy international to a position he played with distinction both at Fiorentina and during the early part of his Juve career. While the Leo Bonucci-Andrea Barzagli central partnership has flourished, the same cannot be said of Chiellini's time at full-back after a number of uncharacteristically poor performances.
Statistically the Pisa-born number three looks to be having a good season, averaging 2.3 tackles, 3.6 interceptions and 5.2 clearances per game, but he has made some error strewn displays. Despite completing almost 70 passes a match - at a steady 87% completion rate - he has struggled when in possession of the ball, and has been found out of position on a number of occasions. The lack of a consistent and dependable option ahead of him on the wing has not helped but Chiellini has simply evolved as a footballer and is no longer capable of the type of play needed in order to be a success on the flank.
Facing him at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday night is a player who has become one of Serie A's most devastating wide players, embodying almost all the skills the Juve man lacks to be effective in this role. Comfortable on the ball, a superb crosser and quickly improving his shooting ability, Napoli's Christian Maggio has played his way into the regular starting XI for the Italian national team. With the energy to play both ends of the field remarkably well, he will provide a stern test for Chiellini, his former team-mate at Fiorentina as recently as 2005 under now Azzurri boss Cesare Prandelli.
With two goals and an assist to his name already it is leading those breathtaking Napoli counter-attacks which sees him at his almost unstoppable best, providing width and pace to a Walter Mazzari side based on huge amounts of both. Slowing him down - and perhaps making him endure an increased amount of defensive duty - will be key for Juventus. Over to you Giorgio Chiellini...
