Posted on Monday, 6th February 2012 by Forza Italian Football Staff

“The January signings won’t change the balance of the side. They will be useful over the course of the season, but the protagonists who have dragged Juve along during the first half of the campaign will remain the same.”

These are the words of ex- defender Nicola Legrottaglie when speaking to Tutto Juve. His summation of what Martin Caceres, Simone and Marco will bring to Juventus is accurate and describes perfectly what sporting director Giuseppe Marotta had planned for the January window.

Juventus’s start to the season surpassed all expectations. With La Bianconeri sitting top of the table and unbeaten coming into the January transfer window, there was no need for serious reinforcement. Marotta, supported by the excellent leadership qualities of manager Antonio , had built a squad capable of challenging for the , a feat that many thought would be beyond Juventus at the start of the season. A big name signing was not necessary, nor was it ever likely to arrive. The strength of Juventus has been the unity of the collective, not the influence of an individual.

Marotta’s job throughout January was to find a few players who could plug gaps, strengthen the weaker areas and add depth and variety to a squad that was already strong. He largely achieved that, securing his number one target in Uruguayan defender Caceres, but also bolstering the midfield and attack with the versatile Padoin and the well-travelled Borriello.

Marotta also succeeded in ridding Juventus of a lot of the deadwood that was not required by Conte, but still commanded significant wages. Chief of these players was the hapless . The Brazilian-born Italian international was amongst Juventus’s top earners, having once convinced Juventus to fork out €22.8 million for his services. Despite an impressive start he turned out to be a huge flop, eventually costing the club around €50 million.

His time in Turin had been over for 18 months and a successful spell on loan with Parma at the tail end of last season was expected to be a catalyst for a summer transfer, but much to Marotta’s frustration Amauri rejected several overtures from Italian clubs to remain with Juventus. Six months of not been selected once for even a match day squad finally convinced Amauri his time was over and he eventually signed with Fiorentina.

Marco Motta was also shipped out on loan to Catania, Vincenzo joined Cesena, while Luca completed a switch to Al-Nasr, where he will play under the leadership of former Internazionale goalkeeper Walter Zenga. The only ‘outcast’ left in the end was Fabio Grosso, who turned down a move to Lecce, while summer recruit Michele was loaned to Udinese. Removing these players may well prove to Marotta’s most important work in the market, but he has also worked smartly with the players he has brought in.

First to arrive was Borriello, from Roma. The forward, cast aside by Spanish manager Luis Enrique for not fitting into his tactical master plan, was itching for a move away from the capital club. Marotta snapped him up on an initial loan, with the option to sign him for €8 million at the end of the season. The move was not without controversy, with many Juventini unhappy at suggestions that Borriello had previously rejected Juventus before signing with Roma in 2010. Borriello denies this accusation, but it has meant he is under increased pressure from an already skeptical set of supporters. His record with Roma reads one goal every four games, while with Milan he netted 17 in 38.

This season he has featured just eight times for Roma, without scoring. He has a lot to prove and at 29 years-old this could be his last chance with one of Italy’s more illustrious sides. There is no question that a fit and in-form Borriello could bring something different to Conte’s frontline. He strength in the air and ability to hold up the ball and bring others into player will bring something different to the more predatory instincts of Alessandro . Questions do remain though over his fitness and whether he can rediscover his goal scoring form quick enough to satisfy Conte’s needs. In the substitute appearances he has made since arriving, he has looked sluggish and off the pace. Time will tell whether he proves to be a success, but he is worth taking a chance on at little to no cost for Juventus.

Marotta’s main target for the window was a defender, with Sevilla full-back Caceres his preferred choice. The Uruguayan has a history with Juventus, having spent the 2009-10 campaign on loan in Turin, whilst owned by Barcelona. Despite been limited to just 15 appearances because of injury-problems, Caceres left a lasting impression on the Juventus hierarchy, with his touch-tackling and energetic approach. He is now back, with the consensus been that he has improved as a defender during his time in Seville. Caceres will provide cover for all defensive positions and has proven with Uruguay that he is comfortable playing as a wing-back on either side. He will also offer Conte a solid option at left full-back, a position that has caused the manager problems this season with neither Giorgio nor Paolo De Ceglie filling the role adequately.

Like Borriello, Caceres has been signed on loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer, an option that Marotta will almost certainly take up. Caceres should prove to be Marotta’s most important addition. His energy makes him the perfect alternative to the excellent Stephan Lichtsteiner at right full-back, while his versatility will allow him to cover a number of positions as injuries take their toll towards the end of the campaign.

Marotta did his final piece of business of the last day of the window, with midfielder Padoin joining from Atalanta for around €4 million. The move came as something of a surprise, with the expectation been that Cagliari’s tough-tackling Radja Nainggolan would be signed. The inability of the Sardinian club to find a suitable replacement meant that owner Massimo Cellino was unwilling to part with his prized asset, forcing Marotta to look elsewhere. Fiorentina’s Velon Behrami was targeted, but he eventually stumped for Padoin. The midfielder is well-known to manager Conte and was ever-present when he worked with him at Atalanta. Conte’s familiarity with Padoin was one of the key factors in his arrival, with the expectation been that he knows what Conte expects of him and understands the managers tactics and philosophies.

The 27 year-old was touted as a future Italian international as a youngster with Atalanta and then Vicenza, but he has never quite fulfilled his potential. Nevertheless, he has proven to be a mainstay in an impressive Atalanta side this season and could prove invaluable to Juventus. His ability to cover a number of positions, including left full-back, should prove useful to Conte, as he often switches between various formations. Padoin is also a good reserve for Arturo Vidal, who is prone to picking up suspensions. The midfielder is competent in possession, but also a tough-tackler and excellent positionally. He will never excel, but is a consistent performer and will do a competent job when called upon. Padoin won’t make any headlines, but his ability to plug gaps in the same way Caceres can could make the difference as Juventus push for the title.

Marotta’s mandate for the transfer window was to bring in players who can make Juventus solid and plug gaps that were previously in the squad. With the additions of Caceres, Borriello and Padoin he has managed that. None are particularly spectacular, but all could play an important role. As Legrottaglie pointed out, the key players are all already in place, all that was required was for the squad to be strengthened and Marotta has done that.

Follow Luca Persico on Twitter: @GlobalCalcio

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