The eight-date of Serie A had a very interesting duel for tactical analysis. Lecce and Juventus met in a match that left very attractive elements from the tactics and strategy of both coaches. Lecce came from an important draw against Milan. That means it was important to know how they were going to face this match. And that’s why the analysis is important. Juventus, for their part, continues to show interesting elements under Maurizio Sarri. The match offered several important points not to overlook.
This is why the following tactical analysis will show us how and why Juventus wasn’t able to beat Lecce. Juventus tactics couldn’t surpass Lecce’s tactics, although Juventus showed a lot of superiority in the match. The analysis left interesting things to delve into in the tie between Lecce and Juventus. In addition, the tactical analysis will be based on the tactics of both teams and what the coaches’ proposals were. For now, Juventus will continue to lead Serie A despite the draw. While Lecce will continue to try to get out of the bottom of the table.
Lineups
Lecce coach Fabio Liverani made two changes compared to the last match against Milan. It has to be said that Lecce is one of the teams with a very clear and defined idea. Lecce’s system is 4-3-3 and it’s the one that Liverani has used in all the Serie A matches. Lecce’s ideas and tactics haven’t changed depending on the opponent. This match against Juventus was no exception either.
In fact, the two changes made by Liverani were of players playing in the same position. Jacopo Petriccione took Andrea Tabanalelli’s place to occupy the position of interior midfielder on the left. In addition, Diego Farias took Filippo Falco’s place as a striker. These changes did not affect Lecce’s base system.
For his part, Sarri made several changes with respect to the last match of Serie A against Bologna. We must remember that Juventus is playing Champions League, so the starting team is rotating as the games go by. This is why Sarri gives rest to some players depending on the opponent facing Juventus. What does not change is the system, as Sarri uses a 4-3-3 as his preferred tactics.
Wojciech Szczęsny came in place of Gianluigi Buffon. Danilo joined the starting team in place of Juan Cuadrado as a full-back on the right. Emre Can swallowed Sami Khedira to occupy the position of infield midfielder on the right. Rodrigo Bentancur entered in place of Adrien Rabiot to occupy the position of left interior midfielder. In addition, Paulo Dybala came in place of Cristiano Ronaldo to occupy the striker position.
Lecce’s 4-3-3
The first thing to say about Lecce in the tactical analysis of this match was the kind of pressure they exerted. This time it was different from what Lecce had been doing in previous games. Lecce’s pressure was based on space. Previous tactical analysis also showed this way of pressing. Lecce didn’t usually put pressure on the player who has the ball, but on the space. This time it was different and the pressure was intense and towards the ball. In addition, the possible receptors of Juventus also had a mark on top of some Lecce player.
The team led by Liverani has tried to secure a system during Serie A 2019/20. Again Lecce played with their 4-3-3 system, which is already a registered trademark of this team. Although the idea is for Marco Mancuso to play free, this becomes impossible due to conservative tactics. This means that the attacking midfielder in charge of generating goal opportunities must be more concerned about defending tactics.
One of the main features in Liverani’s tactics is the idea of Lecce playing in a compact way. In other words, not too much distance between the lines. This serves to generate numerical superiority and force the opposing team to meet a lot of players in front. Juventus fell into that trap at times and couldn’t use the width of the pitch. During several moments and in several zones of the pitch the game became very dense. That made it difficult for Juventus to break lines and penetrate to generate clear attacking moves.
When Lecce did not have possession of the ball the change in formation was evident and the tactical analysis proved it. Lecce changed their tactics without possession of the ball to a 5-3-2 formation. Panagiotis Tachtsidis, who was the defensive midfielder, went back a few meters and was positioned between the centre-backs. In addition, Mancuso retreated to continue forming a triangle in the middle of the pitch.
In addition, Lecce always tried to surround possible pass receptors in the midfield. Juventus’ interior and attacking midfielders found themselves in numerical inferiority during many game passages. Liverani’s tactics were clear: midfielders and strikers playing very close together.
Juventus 4-3-3
The distribution in Juventus tactics were clear and the strategy was based on a 4-3-3 formation. That was the basic system and from there the mobility of the players was evident to make different formations. Miralem Pjanić was the axis and was playing free and ahead was generated a line of four players in midfield. In addition, Federico Bernardeschi was the forward along with Gonzalo Higuaín. Paulo Dybala went back several meters to be the attacking midfielder.
One of the biggest traps that Juventus fell into was trying to generate plays in the middle of the pitch. That area was the most populated and dense, as Lecce put many players there. Juventus did not take advantage of the outside lanes and overused the inside lanes. This is why many players were usually seen there and Juventus could not generate numerical superiority.
For example, Lecce pushed the sides of the pitch a lot and left the other side completely free. In other words, they were pressing with several players on one of the wings, but the other wing was completely free. The problem was that Juventus couldn’t take advantage of this disposition that Lecce gave them. Alex Sandro passed several times to the attack but did not generate many moves of risk.
Perhaps Lecce’s main problem was the generation of plays from the back of the pitch. For Lecce, it was very difficult to start their attack with passes from the centre-backs. Juventus’ pressure on Lecce’s midfielders was very intense and staggered. In addition, it was difficult for Lecce to use the wings through the full-backs, as the team’s play was always using internal lanes. In that sense, Juventus exerted a very good pressure, as they generated many mistakes in Lecce to recover the ball quickly.
Juventus’ distribution came from a 4-3-3 formation, but that changed a lot during the match. Although Juventus is a team that tries to use the width and length of the pitch, it could hardly do so and in small moments. Pjaniç was the axis of the team and the others revolved around him. The problem for Juventus was that Lecce occupied the spaces well and covered the passing lines.
Conclusion
The tactical analysis showed that Lecce didn’t change their tactics and with that idea they gained an important point. Despite playing well at times the team still looks very weak in some aspects. Liverani will have to work hard to make Lecce look more solid in several of their tactical facets both defensive and offensive. Lecce will play away against Sampdoria on the next Serie A date, which will be a tough game. A win in that game will give this point double value.
On the other hand, Juventus had everything to win this game. Despite the poor result for Juventus, as Lecce is one of the weakest rivals, the point was not so bad. This is because Inter did not win their match against Parma and Juventus could continue to lead in Serie A. It is obvious that some of the changes took their toll on Juventus tactics, but the idea always tries to be the same. On the next matchday, Juventus will face Genoa at home.
