Cristiano Ronaldo, the prominent world-class player, has completed a transfer for Juventus for a fee of 100 million euros. The fee was the largest ever paid by an Italian football club and the largest ever repaid fee. In this blog post, I will be discussing on how Ronaldo can fit into Juventus for the 2018/19 season and the variety of different advantages that the Italian club will face.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo is still an outstanding and physical player, he will be joining other talented footballers in Juventus. Currently, Juventus can boast the World Cup finalist Mario Mandžukić, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, wingers Federico Bernardeschi, Juan Cuadrado, and Douglas Costa. Moreover, developing players that are heading for prosperity include Marko Pjaca and Moise Kean. Thus the question is: Where will Juventus' new signing fit?
One of the main reasons that Cristiano Ronaldo was able to strive in Real Madrid is because Zinedine Zidane fixed Ronaldo as the pivot of the team. Through Zidane's strategy, the Portugese naturally developed from a 4-3-3 winger (showed his acceleration and driving runs) into a brilliant striker with his intelligence, movement, and ability to attack.
Ronaldo's Importance/Movement in Real Madrid
In Real Madrid, Zidane played a 4-3-1-2 or 4-4-2 based game. He would make his left and right backs move up or the left and right wingers to advance. This allowed Ronaldo to become more aggressive and predatory during the matches. The passing and creativity was formed by the midfielders (Modric, Kroos, Isco, etc) and was a main source of the attacking process.
Ronaldo's Importance/Movement in Portugal
Normally in Portugal, Ronaldo played a 4-4-2 style with determined and hard-pressing Gonzalo Guedes. Guedes would be in front of Ronaldo, while Ronaldo helped the build up process. As Ronaldo dropped down for support he transformed himself into a midfielder as he became familiar with deep passes into the wingers. Yet, Ronaldo didn't only support the build up but was successful in creating a 'shifting play'.
Ronaldo's Importance/Movement in Juventus?
Massimiliano Allegri likes to play a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 system. Juventus likes to start the build up from the back and give easy vertical passes to the wingers or midfielders. Another method commonly used would be the attacking midfielder dropping in to suck in the opponents before rapidly moving the ball wide. Juventus were also successful when using the overload one flank as they had quick players like Douglas Costa and Cuadrado.
There is a high chance that Mario Mandžukić will be kept on the starting lineup as Mandžukić and Ronaldo have two distinctive styles of playing. In my opinion, Ronaldo is exceptional with the headers, but Mandžukić has a better idea of controlling and handling the ball. Mandžukić can be seen as less physical as well as less selfless. Mandžukić likes to play quick with a 'gap moving' style. He would pass around the wingers and instantly move into the open space.
This means it is likely that Higuain and Ronaldo will be competing for the starting line up. Higuain is a player that is also very physical when it comes to football. His style of playing is quite tiring as he comes down-field to support the defense and runs straight back up-field to proceed with the attacking. However, there are strategies and plans that Juventus can come up with to keep them both, Ronaldo and Higuain, on the starting roster.
The first idea I thought of was having Juventus' 4-2-3-1 system changed into
a 4-4-2 system. This allows Ronaldo to press up while Higuain can fill up his original place. By doing this it is extremely important that the wingers onyl advance to a certain extent and stick to the defense line to fill up Higuain's defensive responsibility.
Another idea could be to change the system into a 4-3-1-2. This formation is powerful as it also includes the young Argentinian who is capable to moving the ball with comfort. As mentioned before, Paulo Dybala can be the engine of the attacking line by moving from left to right and passing the ball to the forwards. Additionally, Matuidi and Cuadrado are suitable for playing the wingers with their pace and stamina. The defense line would probably be very important in this formation. As Matuidi and Cuadrado advance the attack line, it is the defenders' job to advance the defense line as well. These defenders include Alex Sandro, Chellini, Rugani, and Mattie De Sciglio.
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