THE TURIN DIARIES: WHY SARRI IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR JUVENTUS

When Maurizio Sarri was appointed by Juventus, David Amoyal, the respected football journalist’s tweet perfectly encapsulated the feelings of many: “If on this date two years ago you would have told me Sarri & CR7 would both be at Juventus my head would have exploded”, tweeted Mr. Amoyal.

Nine months into the project, it is at the threat of falling apart. Sarri’s Juventus is not Sarri’s Napoli. With Juventus not really dominant in the league, and losing the first leg of the Champions League to Lyon, if rumours are to be believed, the chain-smoking Italian’s departure this summer seems inevitable. Here, we look at some reasons as to why that would not be a wise decision, and why Sarri is the right man for the Old Lady.

STYLE OF PLAY

There was a very particular reason why Juventus sought Sarri after Massimiliano Allegri’s departure. More than about winning trophies, Juventus wanted to play a certain way. Sarriball, made famous at Napoli, was their preference. Allegri had been incredibly successful during his five years in Turin. His defence was constantly amongst the best in Europe. Juventus, however, wanted something they could call their own.

Sarriball is a possession-oriented brand of football. It lays emphasis on building from the back, a flexible forward line, and midfielders with extremely specific roles. Full-backs often bomb forward, and energetic attacking and precise pressing take precedence over everything else.

However, such are the rigors and demands of his system, that it takes time. In his first season in Naples, Sarri guided Napoli to 2^nd in the league, with Gonzalo Higuain scoring a record-breaking 32 goals. However, Sarriball wasn’t in full flow then. It was with the emergence of Dries Mertens leading the line after Higuain’s departure that Sarri truly got it right. Napoli played exquisite liquid football. Mertens, a winger turned striker, scored 28 goals in the league.

As seen with Sarri and Chelsea, the players have to buy into the Sarri philosophy. Chelsea underwent a weird season under the Italian. Despite winning the Europa League and finishing 3^rd in the league, Sarri never truly connected, both with the players and the fans.

Juventus, if their aim is to establish a style of play, should give Sarri some time, another season, to properly get his views and points across. Sarriball, like all good things, takes time.

TRANSFERS

Maurizio Sarri has often called himself a coach, rather than a manager. He coaches the players, not necessarily playing a major role in bringing them in. That is problematic. Sarri’s style requires specific players. At Chelsea, the Blues bought Jorginho to aid his style of play. However, at Juventus, haphazard transfer planning has been a major issue.

Matthijs de Ligt, the Ajax wunderkind, is still adapting to a tougher league. At just 20, it is easy to see de Ligt becoming world-class. But right now, he is no Kalidou Koulibaly or prime Raul Albiol, the two Napoli centre backs Sarri deployed during his time there. With Bonucci and Chiellini getting old, and Merih Demiral stuck down with an ACL injury, the central defence is a point of concern.

Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey were bought to strengthen the midfield. But a mixture of injuries, and Sarri preferring the ageing Sami Khedira and Blaise Matuidi, has seen their playing time minimized. Recently, a video circulated in social media. Cristiano Ronaldo is heard telling Paulo Dybala how there is no midfield support in the final third. Miralem Pjanic is not that player. Ramsey, who specialises in that, is yet to properly hit the ground running. There is no Allan-esque player in the Juventus midfield, someone who can do everything.

Up front, an ageing Gonzalo Higuain is still getting substantial minutes. Ronaldo is not getting any young either. Douglas Costa looks set to leave this summer. Federico Bernardeschi is struggling as well.

Two young Italians have been linked. Sandro Tonali of Brescia, the next big wonderkid of Italian football, and Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna, on whom Juventus have a buy-back option. Fiorentina’s Federico Chiesa, and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have also seen their names connected to the Turin giants. These could be sensible moves, especially the Tonali one. A good passer who reads the game well, Tonali’s energy could be just what the midfield needs.

Sarri’s style of play is such that not every player can be expected to fit right in. Juventus have to be really careful.

LACK OF OPTIONS

Mauricio Pochettino is perhaps the one outstanding manager who is not employed. With the Argentine stating his preference to manage in the Premier League again, it is hard to see to whom Juventus turn to.

Allegri has been linked with a move back. However, that would simply mean deserting the project Juventus began a year ago. Thomas Tuchel looks set to leave Paris Saint Germain, but news about his temperament have, time and again, been well publicised.

Juergen Klopp looks set at Liverpool, while Pep Guardiola has signalled his intention to honour his contract at Manchester City. Unless Juventus decide to take a risky path and go with someone like Marco Rose of Borussia Monchengladbach, they have no real options.

CONCLUSION

Maurizio Sarri has proved that given time and players, he has what it takes to get a team to play exciting football and win matches. He has also shown at Chelsea that without proper support from players and from the board, there is no point in appointing him.

Sarri is an extremely system-oriented manager, wedded to his philosophy of how football should be played. Juventus, obviously, must have done their research. It is too soon to judge Sarri, and he deserves another season, after proper backing by the board in the summer transfer window.