How Juventus could line up under Mancini: Tactical tweak doesn’t help Vlahovic | OneFootball

As links between Juventus and former Italy national team head coach Roberto Mancini intensify, here is a look at how the Bianconeri could line up if the ex-CT does come in to replace Thiago Motta in the coming weeks.

Saturday’s reports claim that Juventus are increasingly likely to part ways with Motta after next weekend’s Serie A match against Genoa. Mancini is his expected replacement, despite reports linking Igor Tudor and a number of others with the job over the last week.

AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Several outlets in Italy suggest that there will not be too many alterations in terms of personnel between Motta’s recent teams and the hypothetical side that Mancini could field, but there could be a subtle tweak in tactics form Motta’s preferred 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 under Mancini.

Either way, not much is expected to change for Dusan Vlahovic, who will still be an understudy to Randal Kolo Muani if Mancini decides to stick with a single striker up front.

epa11777785 Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic during the Italian Serie A soccer match Juventus FC vs Venezia FC at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, 14 December 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

The options are relatively limited at the back. Timothy Weah and Andrea Cambiaso are expected to be Mancini’s preferred full-backs if he does come in, with centre-back options of Federico Gatti, Pierre Kalulu, Renato Veiga and Lloyd Kelly.

Manuel Locatelli is a player Mancini already knows well from his time in charge of the Italy national team, and could rely on him for experience, familiarity and dependability in midfield. Corriere dello Sport suggests that Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeienrs are the most likely candidates to join him in midfield in Mancini’s ideal starting XI.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – MARCH 22: Manuel Locatelli of Italy looks on during a Italy training session on March 22, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Possible Juventus XI under Mancini

Juventus (4-3-3): Di Gregorio; Weah, Gatti, Kalulu, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli, Koopmeiners; N.Gonzalez, Kolo Muani, Yildiz.