Fernando Llorente has been struggling to get into form this season and Massimiliano Allegri needs to drop the striker from Juventus’ starting line-up. The former Athletic Club striker has played nine games for the Bianconeri in all competitions in 2014/15 and he has failed to either score or create a goal.
If Llorente’s disappointing statistics weren’t bad enough, his work ethic in games has been close to non-existent. He does not put pressure on opposition defenders and his movement is usually static. Juventus have frequently dominated possession in their matches so he cannot have any complaints about a lack of supply. Even when the ball is in the penalty box, he does not react quickly enough to pounce on the ball and has been overall too lethargic.
Llorente has proven to be the anti-thesis of his strike partner Carlos Tevez. The Argentine forward has scored six goals in as many Serie A games and has provided two assists. Tevez has also scored two goals in as many UEFA Champions League matches for the Bianconeri. Aside from his statistics, Tevez has been invaluable to Allegri’s side thanks to his hard work and determination. It would be fair to say that the Argentinian has carried the Juventus front line by himself due to Llorente’s ineffectiveness.
One possible reason for Llorente’s uninspiring performances so far is the change in coaches which has resulted in a change in Juventus’ playing style.
Under Antonio Conte the team needed to work hard and apply pressure on the opposition but under Allegri the Bianconeri have played at a slower tempo than in prior years and the intensity is lower. If Conte was still the Juventus coach, he probably would have lectured Llorente by now for his lack of determination or movement but it seems that Allegri is happy to let the Spanish striker wait for the ball in the penalty box.
There is the old saying, “If something isn’t broke, why fix it?” After losing to Atletico Madrid in Champions League and drawing to Sassuolo in Serie A, Allegri must acknowledge that the Juventus blade has grown blunt and Llorente is the cause of it.
There are two players that could take Llorente’s place in the Juventus starting line-up: Alvaro Morata or Sebastian Giovinco. Morata arrived this summer from European champions Real Madrid. He suffered a knee injury in pre-season training and he was sent-off against Roma but Morata has looked more lively than his compatriot whenever he has featured.
Although he has not started a match for Juventus this season, Morata has scored a goal in his first four Serie A matches. Perhaps with more match time the Spanish youth international can make more of an impact in Juventus’ attack.
Giovinco has not lived up to expectations since he has been at Juventus but he has provided some spark whenever he has played. Italian football is lacking in support strikers and someone with his flair can light up an attack. He has played four times for the Bianconeri this season, but he has also played twice for Italy and his pace and dribbling have trouble opposing defences. Although the quality of opposition was not the best, at least he is creating a presence unlike Llorente.
Allegri has been putting too much faith in Llorente since the start of the season, but if Llorente does not start scoring, it could hurt Juventus in their quest for more success.
Today, it is time for Allegri to start someone alongside Tevez who can make a real difference as opposed to simply being a passenger.
Follow Vito Doria on Twitter: @VitoCDoria
