Where are Hernanes’ haters now?
Fans expected a big name like Julian Draxler to join the bianconeri at that time, but the German’s move collapsed, leaving Giuseppe Marotta short of options in terms of possible targets for midfield reinforcement.
The Brazilian has been booed during several matches by the J Stadium crowd and a number of his teammates – including veterans Leonardo Bonucci and Gianluigi Buffon – have asked fans to support the Brazilian rather than criticize him.
Hernanes, however, has never been bothered by fans’ criticisms, so much so he even said last week that if he were a fan he would have booed himself as well.
With Massimiliano Allegri left short of option in midfield, especially after the injury of Kwadwo Asamoah, Hernanes seems to be the best player to play in front of defence in a 3-5-2- system.
The Brazilian is the only one able to combine sense of position and technique in that part of the pitch. Miralem Pjanic has proved to be dangerous for opponents’ defences when he plays in centre midfield and not in front of defence, in the regista role.
Mario Lemina can play in that position, but has way less quality than the former Inter and Lazio ace.
Harnanes got the 92% of passes right in Serie A matches so far this season, creating four clear cut chances. Whoever plays as playmaker in Juventus’ 3-5-2 system, however, is forced to play pretty far from the opponents’ goal, that’s why Hernanes has just one shot on target so far. Claudio Marchisio did not score one single goal last term, when he spent the whole campaign playing in the regista spot.
The Empoli clash was Hernanes’ second consecutive start this season after the Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb. The Brazilian provides Allegri with the quality that he needs in that part of the pitch and until Marchisio return to action Juventus fans should expect to see him starting many games.
HERNANES STATS THIS SEASON
HERNANES STATS V. EMPOLI
Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
