Tactical Analysis: Juventus vs. Sassuolo

Roberto De Zerbi’s Sassuolo side are the team to watch in Serie A this season, and after an exciting 3-3 draw in the last meeting against the Old Lady, the fixture looked to be both promising and competitive. A late first-half sending off for Pedro Obiang changed the complexion of the match. Nonetheless, the game contained many interesting aspects worthy of investigation.

In terms of chance creation, Sassuolo sought to extend the size of the effective pitch as a way of generating exploitable space. This can be seen vertically through the role of goalkeeper Andrea Consigli and their willingness to play backwards and invite Juventus pressure forward. Through inviting the opposition deep into their half, they reduce the compactness either between midfield and defence or midfield and attack depending on the reaction.

This strategy works particularly well in deep areas as the opponent lose the tool of offside as a way of manipulating the size of the pitch. Horizontally, the planned work when Sassuolo were attempting to build up as the backwards option for the switch of play was typically open to force Juventus two banks to shuttle which would lead to gradual territorial gain until the final third.