...Now it’s one thing having all this depth. Using it effectively is another entirely and this is another fine facet to Allegri’s coaching where he distinguishes himself as outstanding in his field. Consistently he has revealed himself to be incredibly astute at reading the game, assessing exactly what is required and taking the right action to affect the game from the bench. Since Allegri became coach of the Old Lady 18 months ago, 25 of her league goals have arrived from his substitutions. To elaborate further, 14 have been scored and 11 were assisted by players who came on. That is a quite remarkable total and it has played a big role in making Juventus contenders again this season.
The turning point in their campaign is widely regard as the defeat to Sassuolo and the dramatic late victory in the Derby della Mole that followed. Allegri brought on Alex Sandro for Dybala in the 87th minute. He then set up Juan Cuadrado in stoppage time for a momentum shifting and mood-changing winner. Juventus haven’t looked back since taking 52 points from the 54 available.
However, Allegri’s ability to turn a game with his changes has perhaps never been more pronounced than in the last month. Zaza is arguably the symbol of them. He has come off the bench and hit the net three times in the league this season. The most important - and without doubt the pivotal moment in the title race up until now - was his 88th minute strike against Napoli in Turin which clinched a huge win and sent Juventus top of the table for the first time this season. The Old Lady’s Super Sub was averaging a goal every 79 minutes at the time.
Allegri then did it again to rescue Juventus’ Round of 16 tie with Bayern. 2-0 down at home, he sent on Morata and Sturaro and they combined for the equaliser. On Sunday even the lesser-spotted Lemina got in on the act. He replaced Sami Khedira in Bergamo and scored an excellent solo goal that put Atalanta definitively to the sword, the perfect response to Napoli returning to winning ways against Chievo the night before.
Allegri downplays his knack for reading the tea leaves of a football match. He admits luck is involved. But when it happens so often, it speaks to his intelligence, intuition and a trust of one’s gut. Tactical shrewdness and instruction aside, you have to credit Allegri’s man-management too. It’s not easy to keep players on the periphery happy and motivated...