Juventus made enormous strides last season in terms of reclaiming its place amongst Europe’s best. After years of dominating domestically, the Bianconeri finally broke through in the UEFA Champions League. The Old Lady beat the likes of Real Madrid, Monaco and Borussia Dortmund on the way to reaching the final in Berlin.

In the end, they fought tooth and nail, but weren’t up to beating Barcelona. With a veteran team, the decision makers in Turin likely know they don’t have the biggest window to compete. Because of this, the team has taken steps to cement its place at the big boys’ table in European football and keep the window of competition jammed open.

In an uncharacteristic move, Juventus splurged on a signing. When you spend nothing to acquire the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba, most signings are splurges. However, Beppe Marotta and the Juve decision makers spent an eye-popping €32 million for dynamic Palermo attacker Paulo Dybala.

The 21-year-old Dybala is a forward with world-class potential, something that is true of new teammate and fellow forward Alvaro Morata. Dybala excelled in Sicily last term, having a hand in 23 goals (13 goals, 10 assists) as Palermo finished eleventh.

Even with Carlos Tevez gone, Dybala’s arrival gives Juve a dangerous group of attackers that will make any defense on the continent sweat. Dybala joins Morata, Mario Mandzukic (more on him later) and Fernando Llorente in a grouping that checks a number of boxes. There are the aerial threats (Mandzukic and Llorente), the physical presence (Mandzukic), the wunderkinds (Dybala and Morata) and the defensive battering ram/ ground eater (Mandzukic). There are also the goal scorers (all of the above).

Following Dybala’s arrival, Marotta and crew reverted back to their comfort zone—signing players for free. Sami Khedira joined on a free from Real Madrid in a move that provides cover for Andrea Pirlo. Cover in the sense that should Pirlo leave, Khedira can step in and provide a different, more physical style. Should the Italian maestro stay, Khedira will be able to deputize while also log a fair number of starts alongside the likes of Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba.

Khedira’s defensive presence provides Max Allegri with a different look in midfield. The German midfielder will act as a shield and passing outlet in front of the defense, further strengthening a defensive unit that may be the best in Europe.

 

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Last, but surely not least (you can bet Marotta and Juve will continue to be active this transfer window) is Mario Mandzukic.

The former Atletico Madrid/Bayern Munich striker is a similar player to Tevez in the sense that he puts in a considerable amount of work defensively. He brings a strong presence in the air and is one of Europe’s best in that regard. On top of all that, the striker is dangerous in the box and having scored a number of goals in both La Liga and the Bundesliga, he’ll have no trouble reaching a significant number of goals in Turin.

To top it all off, Mandzukic cost €19 million, a bargain if he plays up to his usual standards.

More than anyone, Allegri and Juventus know how important depth can be, not just domestically, but in Europe as well. Juve was without Giorgio Chiellini, Kwadwo Asamoah, Romulo and Martin Caceres for the Champions League Final while Andrea Barzagli, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba all missed long stretches of time due to injury this season.

Adding players like Paulo Dybala, Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic—who all possess either world-class talent, potential or qualities, will only strengthen the team heading into next season. This past season, Juve put together a deep run in the Champions League, their first in a long time. This run, which ended in defeat, will only make the Old Lady hungry for more continental success. The additions of Dybala, Khedira and Mandzukic go a long ways toward ensuring Juve will have a strong chance of achieving that success, this time with a different result in the final.

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