Juventus’ defensive prowess has taken a dramatic turn for the worse since the injury of key center-back Gleison Bremer. The team that once prided itself on a near-impenetrable defense, conceding just one goal in eight Serie A matches, now finds itself struggling to maintain its defensive solidity.
Calciomercato detail how prior to Bremer’s injury in Leipzig, Juventus boasted the best defensive record among Europe’s top five leagues. However, the absence of the Brazilian defender has exposed vulnerabilities in the Bianconeri’s backline.
The recent 4-4 draw against Inter Milan highlighted these defensive frailties. Manager Thiago Motta’s decision to play Danilo as a center-back alongside Kalulu, while keeping Gatti on the bench, backfired spectacularly. Both defenders made costly errors, with Danilo conceding a penalty and Kalulu struggling throughout the match.
The statistics paint a stark picture of Bremer’s importance to the team. Before his injury, Juventus had conceded just one goal in seven matches. In the five games since his absence, they’ve allowed eight goals. Only in the match against Lazio did they manage to keep a clean sheet during this period.
This defensive collapse is further emphasized by the number of shots Juventus are now allowing. In the Champions League match prior to the Inter game, they conceded 24 shots, a significant increase from their previous total of 21 across all matches. Against Inter, they allowed 18 shots, with goalkeeper Di Gregorio making two crucial saves.
The team’s defensive record in Serie A has now slipped, with five goals conceded, putting them on par with Napoli. This sudden vulnerability at the back is a major concern for Juventus as they enter a crucial period in November and December.
The impact of Bremer’s absence appears to be far greater than initially anticipated. What was expected to be a 10-point deficit has turned into a much more significant problem. As Juventus look ahead, finding a solution to their defensive woes in Bremer’s absence will be crucial for their aspirations in both domestic and European competitions.
