Juventus' defense is rock solid this season. After eight matches in Serie A, Thiago Motta's team has only conceded one goal. The Old Lady has never done better. On Saturday, Lazio also failed to break through the black-and-white wall.
Thiago Motta’s appointment at Juventus was meant to usher in a more attractive, attacking style of play, moving away from the defensive focus that characterized Massimiliano Allegri’s tenure.
However, while Motta's mission was to enhance the team's aesthetic on the pitch, Juventus’ defensive resilience has remained a hallmark of their game. In their recent 1-0 victory over Lazio, La Gazzetta dello Sport couldn’t help but note that the win came in classic "Allegri-style" built on solid defense. In fact, the paper went further, likening it to the “Capello-style” that dominated when Fabio Capello led Juventus in the early 2000s. Under Capello, Juventus set a defensive record in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons, conceding just two goals in the first eight games, a feat the team came close to matching this season under Motta.
Juventus’ defense this season is truly remarkable, standing as a key reason for their success so far. Not only have they conceded just one goal in eight Serie A matches, but they’ve also allowed a mere eleven shots on target in the competition a testament to their defensive organization and discipline. La Gazzetta concluded that “The Bianconeri’s defense is once again impressive,” especially since no goals have come from open play. The only goal conceded was a penalty from former Ajax player Razvan Marin, underscoring how airtight Juventus has been in open-field situations.
On a broader scale, Juventus’ defensive prowess outshines nearly every team across Europe’s top five leagues. In Serie A, their defensive solidity stands unrivaled, but even in comparison to other major leagues, Juventus remains ahead. Liverpool, who have conceded three goals, and RB Leipzig, with two, are the closest challengers to Juve’s defensive supremacy. However, Juventus has shown some vulnerability in the Champions League, where they’ve allowed three goals, one of which came from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Despite this, their defensive record remains one of the best across Europe.
The significance of such a robust defense hasn’t gone unnoticed, with football figures like Dejan Savicevic, a former AC Milan player, acknowledging that "In Italy, having the fewest goals conceded is often a guarantee of success." Juventus has built a history of triumphs on the back of strong defensive performances, and this season seems to be no different. Their current form has them firmly in the conversation as one of the top title contenders in Serie A. Currently, Juventus trails league leaders Napoli by three points, with reigning champions Inter sitting just one point ahead of them.
Juventus’ ability to continue their defensive dominance will be crucial as they push for a return to the top of Italian football. Despite the focus on making their play more attractive, it seems that Juventus' greatest asset still lies in their defense. As the season progresses, Motta’s side will need to balance their improved attacking intent with the defensive rigidity that has kept them competitive for decades. Should they maintain this form, Juventus will remain a formidable force both domestically and in European competitions, cementing their place among Italy’s elite once again.
