What are Juventus' tactical options for Inter derby?
With a number of dressing room lockers empty due either to injuries (Mario Mandzukic will likely need two more weeks to fully recover from his thigh strain) or international departures, not to mention the swelling ranks of the walking wounded, the Livornese coach has a tough task ahead of him in the days to come.
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport’s detailed analysis of the Old Lady’s current predicament, the former Cagliari and Milan coach is willing to wait until he knows more about Paul Pogba and Alvaro Morata in midweek before opting for Plan B.
Pogba had to pull out of France's two international ties due to an ankle sprain, whilst Alvaro Morata was stretchered off during Spain's 4-0 win over Luxembourg with what many feared was a fractured fibula, but has turned out to be a heavily bruised calf.
Were it to come to the worst-case scenario of both Pogba (unlikely) and Morata (who is 50-50) not making it, Allegri would have to use his only two available hitmen (Simone Zaza and Pablo Dybala) in a 3-5-2 with Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini in defence, alongside Juan Cuadrado and either Alex Sandro or Patrice Evra on the wings.
The middle of park would thus be occupied by Sami Khedira, the recovered Claudio Marchisio and one between Mario Lemina and Stefano Sturaro.
Another possibility is the 4-3-3 formation the Bianconeri have used of late, with Cuadrado as a right winger.
Were the worm to turn for the Turinese side, and two out three of Pogba, Roberto Pereyra and Morata be available, Allegri would have far more options, and little to worry about. He already knows that both Pereyra and Morata are more likely than not to play.
