Atalanta v Juventus: Defence key for champions

Serie A leaders Juventus will be banking on their defensive strength when they travel to Atalanta on Saturday.

Juve, unsurprisingly, are the early pacesetters ahead of Roma in the Italian top flight after four rounds, albeit on goal difference.

The defending champions have won all four games to date following Wednesday’s routine 3-0 win over Cesena, while Atalanta are eight points off the pace after back-to-back defeats.

Juve’s defence has stolen the headlines, with the Italian giants yet to concede a goal in the league – the only team to do so thus far.

You have to rewind back to last season for Juve’s last Serie A match without a clean sheet, which came in a 3-1 victory over Sassuolo on April 28.

Switzerland international defender Stephan Lichtsteiner – on the scoresheet against Cesena midweek – said Juve’s willingness to defend all over the pitch has been key to their success in recent seasons.

“It has always been one of our strong points because all the players attack and defend in unison,” Lichtsteiner said.

“We have strikers and midfielders at our disposal who give their all and this offers us security.”

Carlos Tevez is a prime example of Juve’s desire to attack from the front, with the Argentine striker known to harass defenders in order to win possession.

Tevez – Juve’s equal top goalscorer with two goals – and midfielder Paul Pogba were both rested for Wednesday’s fixture as sought-after Chile international Arturo Vidal bagged a brace.

Massimiliano Allegri is expected to recall Tevez and Pogba to the starting XI and Juve will be confident of preserving their 100 per cent record, with Atalanta struggling for form.

Consecutive goalless defeats to Fiorentina and Inter means Atalanta have only scored in one match this season – a 2-1 win at Cagliari.

Marcelo Estigarribia and Richmond Boakye – a Juve loanee – are the only two players to find the back of the net for Atalanta.

Juventus have won the past eight meetings between the two teams, scoring 21 goals in the process.

Atalanta have not collected a point against Juventus since drawing 2-2 in 2009.