Cuadrado Juve's difference-maker
Luca Cetta forFootball Italia
Juan Cuadrado has proved an essential figure for Juventus this season and Luca Cetta believes that bodes well ahead of Napoli’s trip to Turin.
Juventus huffed and puffed. Try as they might, they could not blow the Frosinone house down. At the same time and not too far south, Napoli were locked in a fight of their own against Carpi. Expected to be a comfortable Sunday for both ahead of the Scudetto showdown, it became one of those ugly yet pivotal afternoons in the title race.
When Napoli needed a cool head from the penalty spot, the irrepressible Gonzalo Higuain delivered. Meanwhile, it was Juan Cuadrado who responded to Juve’s cries. His 73rd minute strike broke the deadlock in what was an increasingly frustrating outing for the Bianconeri. When Paulo Dybala sealed the result in injury time, Massmiliano Allegri’s men could breathe a sigh of relief.
It was just a third goal of the season for the Colombian, but a typically important one. Victory over Frosinone was Juve’s 14th in succession, a club record kick-started by Cuadrado. His dramatic Turin Derby winner proved the catalyst for Juventus. They have not looked back since. It was the same combination as on Sunday – Alex Sandro’s low cross for a Cuadrado finish.
After Fiorentina took an early lead at Juventus Stadium in December the winger produced the equaliser, a rare headed goal, against his former club. And while last week’s winner versus Genoa went down as a Sebastian De Maio own goal, the Colombian’s creativity was decisive. All four occasions have ended with the Old Lady securing maximum points.
Juve’s use of a 3-5-2 means he is not always a starter – the Stadio Matusa outing was only Cuadrado’s 11th in Serie A – but his ability to make things happen and the versatility he offers makes him a dangerous weapon. Hence the seven substitute appearances – only Alvaro Morata has appeared from the bench more – highlighting Allegri knows he can make an impact.
The tactician had constructive criticism for the winger earlier this term, stating after the victory over Sevilla: “He is starting to realise when to pass the ball. If he learns the timing and when to set up his teammates, he can become simply unstoppable.” In recent weeks words have turned to praise: “Juan Cuadrado has done very well so far and has improved in tactical, physical and technical terms.”
On loan from Chelsea, Cuadrado’s x-factor and unpredictability is exactly why Juventus should aim to make his spell in Turin a permanent one. The no.16 has the ingenuity to unlock a tight defence, just as he helped do against Genoa and Frosinone. And they are keen on securing the 27-year-old’s signature. A recent Tuttosport report suggested Juve want him for next season and beyond, but hope to negotiate the apparently agreed €20m price.
It’s his spark which excites, says director general Giuseppe Marotta. “In tactical terms he is very different to the other players, so it’s only normal he suits us,” he remarked in late January. “We are happy with what he’s doing both on and off the field, so certainly he is someone we’ll try to keep in Turin next season too.”
As Juventus host Napoli in this Saturday’s match of the season, the Colombian international will aim to add to his list of vital strikes. A win will see Allegri’s side leapfrog the Partenopei at the top of the table with 13 matches remaining. The spotlight is sure to shine on the all-Argentine duel between Dybala and Higuain, but the fleet-footed winger can be a menace to Maurizio Sarri’s team. And when Juventus come up against Bayern Munich in the Champions League his speed and trickery is also something Allegri can aim to unleash.
Cuadrado is in the frame to start on Saturday given the defensive injuries which have hit the Bianconeri. That’s not ideal ahead of a season-defining clash. But just as he has throughout the campaign, look for Cuadrado to make an impact when it counts.
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