Introduction

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Maurizio Sarri has returned to Serie A after just one year in the Premier League. He takes charge of Juventus, who relieved Massimiliano Allegri of his duties. Sarri has said some unsavory things about Juve during his time at Napoli, but he now finds himself leading the 8-time defending champions. He is notorious for his style of play, dubbed “Sarriball”. The biggest question now becomes how will Juventus adapt to his style of play? What players may need to leave, and who could be brought in to support Sarri’s style? That’s the focus of this analysis today, to assess just how “Sarriball” might work (or if changes should be made) for the reigning champions.
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Tactical Styles and Adjustments

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Sarri’s Tactics (Chelsea and Napoli)
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It’s important to see what “Sarriball” is and how it’s worked before diving into any predictions. I would recommend watching these Tifo Football videos from his Chelsea and Napoli sides as a really good look into his tactical system. However, I can give a decent summary with both this depth chart and tactical analysis below.
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https://preview.redd.it/dk7xb0zzk8631.png?width=1366&format=png&auto=webp&s=2fd5efd197c492292cbe2d073ca3791baad9d78e
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https://preview.redd.it/yi3ak1y1l8631.png?width=1366&format=png&auto=webp&s=b4365a05b35a61fa9b1688378a641a80c181abb5
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Sarri’s 4-3-3 features a midfield three of two central midfielders and a defensive midfielder. The left-sided central midfielder (one of Marek Hamsik, Piotr Zielinski, Ross Barkley, or Mateo Kovacic) usually operates more offensively than the right-sided one (Allan or N’golo Kanté), who operates from box-to-box. The defensive midfielder (Jorginho for both sides) looks to act as a bridge between the build-up play of defenders (Kalidou Koulibaly as the strongest example of this) and the midfield.
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The goalkeeper needs to be strong on the ball and work with the central defenders in the build-up. The central defenders need to be particularly strong carrying the ball forward, making passes through the midfield, and provide an option for the defensive midfield. The fullbacks must provide options for the central midfielders and wingers and work in a triangle in the opponent’s half of the pitch. Generally, the left-sided winger will operate more as an inside forward who will look to cut inside and play off of the central striker (Lorenzo Insigne and Eden Hazard being perfectly suited for the offensive portion of this role). The right-sided winger drops off a bit more and plays a bit wider. This works the same for the fullbacks, as the left back tends to advance further forward than the right back (Emerson/Marcos Alonso get further forward than Azpilicueta).
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The sole striker will need to drop off to support the midfield’s vertical build-up, but also be the focal point of getting shots off. Movement and awareness is an absolute requisite for this position. This is part of the reason that Chelsea struggled to adapt to Sarri’s style, given that their striker’s were poor in at least one of those area’s. While Dries Mertens’s speed, movement, build-up play, and generally good finishing made him an ideal candidate for the striker role, the same can’t be said for any of Chelsea’s strikers. Alvaro Morata’s poor movement in the attacking third and often times abysmal finishing saw him fall out of favor, Olivier Giroud’s slow pace meant that even his great build-up play and precise movement meant he couldn’t work well as a sole striker, and Gonzalo Higuain, who previously flourished under Sarri, lacked the clinical finishing that supplemented his movement. Sarri was sometimes even forced to use Hazard in the striker position. As you can see from this table, Chelsea’s strikers struggled to replicate Mertens’s form
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I've talked previously about the lack of precision in Expected Goals and Assists, but here it shows Mertens's solid finishing and chance creation compared to the Chelsea Strikers.
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One of the more damning stats is that even with more minutes than all of the Chelsea forwards, Mertens was caught offsides almost three times less (13) than the forwards listed (37). It shows just how unsuited Chelsea’s strikers were to Sarri’s system (or in Higuaín’s case, how much he has regressed).
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The reason for Sarri’s struggles could also be down to the style of play between the two leagues. Many people criticized Sarri for his style of play, saying it could never work in the Premier League. They may not be wrong on that account, seeing as though there is in general style of play difference amongst the two leagues. This is highlighted by this article from Opta. Although it focuses on the Eredivisie, there are interesting insights for the two leagues we want to focus on. It shows how the Premier League defends more compactly within their own box and attacks more directly in the opponent’s half. This is compared with the Serie A which has lots of build-up play in the center (with a bigger focus on left-sided attacks vs. right-sided attacks) and a higher defensively line. Sarri’s style of build-up play perhaps wasn’t as effective against sides holding very deep, nor was his defensive high-line ideal against a more direct style of attack (Tifo has an entire video dedicated to this as well).
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Allegri’s Tactics
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It’s also important to take a look at how Juventus faired under Allegri, and the comparisons that can be made to Sarri’s style. The biggest difficulty with that is simply that Allegri doesn’t really favor a single system. He is renowned for changing styles between matches to foster rotation amongst his versatile players. This within itself will be difficult for Sarri at Juventus, to get them to focus on a single style. On the positive side, Allegri did seem to use a 4-3-3 some of the time. As a bonus, Juventus had more opportunities and shot more from the left side than from the right. Pretty similar to Sarri’s style. The biggest issue comes with defensive styles. Sarri favors high presses to either win the ball back quickly or force teams to clear the ball. Allegri’s Juventus do not press aggressively, looking more for interceptions at the right moment.
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What needs to Change?
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Obviously, the defensive style will need an overhaul. There is a silver lining for Sarri, in that Juventus usually finds themselves in the opponent’s half more often than Chelsea did last year. In fact, a defensive comparison shows that Juventus actually defended more actively than Chelsea did last year.
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The difference in tackles and interceptions are notable for the type of pressing style, but the lower number of blocks showed how little Juventus were under pressure.
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While this isn’t too reflective of the pressing styles, it does show that Sarri will have less to worry about in enforcing his defensive style. Having a more dominant team that can control possession more effectively should support any initial defensive shortcomings. Outside of that, getting the team to buy into one system may prove to be a challenge, even with the versatility at Sarri’s disposal. The biggest thing going for Sarri is that he is back in the Serie A, which will make his style of play more effective.

Individual Players

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With the tactics and changes lined-up, let’s look at the players Juventus have and see where they could fit in the squad.
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The Ronaldo Factor
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Sarri has had world-class talent at his disposal (Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Kalidou Koulibaly, etc.), but at Juventus, he gets a shot at Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star is in the twilight of his career, but you couldn’t tell by looking at his stats or his physique. Having previously solely operating on the left wing, Ronaldo has been frequently deployed at the striker position. His aerial prowess and technical ability have translated solidly to a new league. The question now becomes, how will he perform under Sarri? Theoretically, Ronaldo should be a perfect fit for this system, given his incredible off-the-ball movement and willingness to drop deeper and receive the ball. He should be perfect to build off from if you are one of his wingers. The problem could be in the pressing style. While Ronaldo is again a great physical specimen, he is still aging, and may not respond as well to such an aggressive defensive style. He may need more frequent rest than he is accustomed to. Ronaldo could once again become an option on the left wing if Sarri elects to, given Ronaldo’s prowess there as well (and potential lack at the left wing position, as I will dive into later). Using him as an inside forward who is also a direct outlet could be an interesting choice for Sarri. Wherever he elects to play him, Sarri must utilize the aging Ronaldo accordingly to maximize his world-class ability.
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No Jorginho? No Problem
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Sarri is well known for his preference of Jorginho as his number six, with the Italian International transferring alongside Sarri to Chelsea. However, it is very unlikely that the Chelsea midfielder will elect to go to Juventus (and that’s not to say Chelsea would sell him cheaply either). However, there is not a need for concern. Miralem Pjanic represents an excellent emulator (perhaps even successor) of the Italian International. While the Bosnian is usually placed within a flat midfield three, he tends to play the furthest back, almost operating in the defensive midfield role. He has had two german midfield partners who have shouldered the defensive portion of the task (Emre Can last season, and Sami Khedira in seasons previous), and Blaise Matuidi also tends to play a defensive-minded role. This is shown in the statistics, where Jorginho blows Pjanic away in about every defensive category (even in per 90 stats, so the difference in minutes are accounted for). But still, there are incredible signs for the two in terms of the passing side of the role.
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Again, xG Buildup is only there to be a bit more fair to Jorghino's involvement, but still shouldn't be taken as too precise.
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Yes, both operated in different roles in different positions, so perhaps early comparisons are a bit short-sited. But the lack of passing depth from the aforementioned german midfielders makes Pjanic the best candidate for the job. Plus, his set-piece prowess should make his prospects look even better. I’d look for the Bosnian midfielder to be a mainstay in Sarri’s side.
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Does Dybala Work?
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Transfer rumors are always going to be deceptive and usually untrue. However, given that this post is a prediction for the future, some inferences are going to have to be made, even with all of the noise of the tabloids. One of the players rumored to leave is João Cancelo. There is a very high chance he will leave to Manchester City, so we’ll get to filling the right back role in short time. But what about Paulo Dybala? He’s been linked to a few teams, but why would Juventus want to sell their number 10, especially at such a prime age? Well, the first issue is the number 10. Not the jersey, but in a general sense he does not positionally seem to be suited to Sarri’s style.
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If he were to be played as the right wing, there would be issues with him being predominantly left-footed. Dybala tends to cut inside and push higher up the pitch, which would be great if he were right-footed and played on the left wing. He also featured a lot at attacking mid, but that position simply doesn’t exist within Sarri’s system. The best he could do would be the most advanced of the three midfielders, on the left side.
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Perhaps his best position would be as the central striker. He played there a few times last season, but almost always featured there during his first season at Juventus and his time at Palermo. He does have the qualities of a good Sarri striker, with quick movement and good technical ability to work with the wings. However, that would mean pushing Ronaldo to the left wing, which may not be in the team’s best interests. It’s a puzzling situation that may convince Juventus to potentially try him out in the market.
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Filling Out the Rest
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What about the rest of the squad? How will they work within Sarri’s system? Who will need to go and who will slot right in? Let’s go position by position and assess the rest of the squad.
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- Goalkeeper will probably still be in the hands of Wojiech Szczesny, although Sarri may want to experiment between him and Mattia Perin in the early parts of the season. The biggest requisites for goalkeeper in Sarri’s system is comfortableness on the ball and distribution, so Sarri will look to see who could fit that bill the best.
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- Center Backs are probably the most solidified with the current squad list. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will most certainly reprise their roles. Both are incredibly comfortable on the ball, with Leonard Bonucci possessing ball-playing skills (and sometimes defensive lapses) reminiscent and probably exceeding David Luiz’s at Chelsea. Getting those two to work well with a sole holding midfielder will be crucial to getting both a solid defensive style and a solid build-up play. Danielle Rugani should fill in, though not particularly as soundly, should either of the two be unavailable.
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- Right back becomes a bit of a question mark with the potential departure of João Cancelo. Even then, he may not have fit Sarri’s style of play best. Cancelo’s attack-mindedness may not have suited what Sarri wants in a more defensively focused right back, but he definitely was the best quality option. As it stands, Mattia De Sciglio, who has featured on both the right and left side of defense, will be first in line to take on the role. However, there may be a new candidate to take the role, who I will discuss later.
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- Left back in theory belongs to Alex Sandro. Even though his performances last year were perhaps not up to his usual standard, he still possesses incredible quality at the left back position. In Sarri’s system, where he will look to be a wide outlet and be encouraged to move further up the pitch, he may find another level. De Sciglio could also be another option, rotating between left and right fullback.
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- I’ve already discussed Pjanic as the best fitting holding midfielder, but Khedira and Can could still be options here if they can adapt to Sarri’s style of play.
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- Central midfield is where we see an insane amount of depth and perhaps not enough standout quality. We’ll start with the more defensive right midfielder, and Blaise Matuidi seems like a solid candidate. He’s featured a lot in the Juventus side and is perhaps the most comparable to Kanté of the options. And before you point of the obviousnesses of a French center mid being similar to Kanté, let me at least talk about the qualities these players possess. Both are engines in the midfield who can operate box to box with decent holding of the ball. Both have some deficiencies in the attacking third but can still contribute. The biggest problem comes with Matuidi perhaps being unable to adapt to Sarri’s style of play. There are certainly some questions about his ability to work in the build-up, so he may indeed be sold. Rodrigo Bentacur could be a great option here, given his well-roundedness and versatility. He works well defensively, can carry the ball, and has great qualities in the final third as well. He’s still quite young, but could be the answer here, if he understands that he must be the more defensive minded of the two center mids. And I do have to bring up Sami Khedira and Emre Can again. Can could actually be great here as well, as he is defensively astute (perhaps more so than Bentacur) and still has enough quality to hold the ball. It’s the attacking part which could spell issues, as he lacks the quality in the final third. Same goes for Khedira, who was utilized even less than Can and is considerably older. Khedira being sold seems quite likely. Still, that’s four respectively options to fill one position.
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- The left central midfielder is essentially whoever is decided amongst the other three midfielders who don’t make it. Remember, this is the more attack oriented of the two central midfielders, so Bentacur seems like a solid shout for the role if he isn’t decided for the right-sided spot. Dybala could be an answer if he is willing to learn the pressing system and track back enough. He would represent the best attacking option of the bunch. However, there is a new signing that could be the answer here as well (who I will discuss later, sorry to have so many cliffhangers).
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- Left wing, as I mentioned before runs into some problems. Perhaps not as many problems as Hazard created defensively for Chelsea under Sarri’s system, but still enough to discuss. I’ve already mentioned how Ronaldo could work well, but may work better at striker. Douglas Costa leaps out as having solid potential. With a similar skill set and a similar physique to both Hazard and Insigne, Costa seems like an obvious choice. But again, he is primarily left-footed, opting more to cross than to cut inside. Sure, his ability to beat his man is similar, but Sarri’s insistence may see him lose out. He already didn’t feature as much under Allegri last season, so who knows what could happen with him. Early signs are positive for the Brazilian, but he’ll have to prove his place after a quiet season. Another potential option is Mario Mandzukic. While featuring more as a central striker under Allegri, he certainly has had experience as a left-midfielder in a Juventus side. He is notorious for his stamina and pressing ability, which would suit Sarri well. His aerial prowess would be an interesting exploit as well, getting on the end of more direct and vertical passing, which could be an interesting option that adds to the team’s versatility. However, it’s unclear whether he has the technical ability to operate in these tight spaces, and is getting up there in age. Left wing is another interesting position to be in (pun intended) that doesn’t have any standout answer.
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- The right wing has great options, but could come down to transfers and a sense of preference. Dybala was mentioned earlier, and he would be the greatest quality here. But I’ve already talked about how he may not be best suited for the role. Two solid candidates could also have a say. Juan Cuadrado, who himself made a switch from Chelsea to Juve, has some solid credentials. Quick, skillful, and able to play out wide, he fits the bill for a Sarri right winger. As a bonus, he already is suited to play more defensively, featuring often as a right midfielder in a 4-4-2, or even times at right back (which I doubt he would play as under Sarri). Federico Bernardeschi also has a good look-in. Although he is left-footed, he still has a solid right foot and has all the qualities Sarri could look for, with the added set piece threat. Incidentally, both players made their mark through Fiorentina, so each has had similar styles impressed on each other. It could turn into another Willian/Pedro situation, where one plays for 60 minutes while the other gets the last 30. However, it could also be likely that if Dybala is chosen for the right wing role, that Cuadrado could leave the club.
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- The striker position gets messy, and potentially changes what happens to the other positions. It’s crucial that Sarri gets his striker call right, as that is what hurt him the most at Chelsea. His decision at striker should really be his first call, with the other positions trickling down. Ronaldo seems the obvious call given the aforementioned reasons, but getting him to press the way Sarri wants will be interesting. Ronaldo has also usually featured as a striker with another striker, whether with Manduzkic or Dybala at Juve, Karim Benzema at Real Madrid, or with Gancolo Guedes and the young Joao Felix in the Portugal set-up. If Sarri believes shifting Ronaldo to the left is the right call, then maybe Dybala is the answer. He’ll have to go back to a similar role as when he first joined Juventus and be comfortable as a lone striker. Mario Manduzkic could also be the answer here. He played centrally for most of last year, and has the hold-up play and movement that Sarri will look for. However, at his age, Sarri will have to bet on him not regressing like Higuaín at Chelsea. There is of course a fourth option in the young Moise Kean. He stepped in when Ronaldo was injured and played extremely well. His movement and finishing could be enticing as well. However, he’s still quite young, and needs to become more polished in the build-up play before he should be considered for the starting role. I’d look to see him come off the bench whenever Juventus are in trouble.

New Signings

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Bringing up the tabloids again, Juventus have been linked to a multitude of new signings to work in Sarri’s system. Let’s finally discuss these potential new players and see what they could bring to the table should they come to Juve.
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Aaron Ramsey, 28, Arsenal (Confirmed Signing for Juventus)
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There is one player we know for sure is coming. Aaron Ramsey will be leaving London for Turin this summer on a free transfer from Arsenal. Some critics has scoffed at his hefty wage bill, but I think Ramsey could prove vital for Sarri’s system. He featured a lot as an attacking midfielder last season under Unai Emery, but was deployed almost the same amount in the central midfield. Ramsey has incredible holding of the ball and ability to work with wingers in the build-up play. His willingness to push further out wide could help set up the passing triangles that Sarri is looking for with the left back and left wing. The biggest concern though is coming from the Premier League. We’ve already seen that things do not translate smoothly between Serie A and the Premier League, referring of course to Sarri’s style of play. If Ramsey can make that adjustment and make it fast, he could be vital to Sarri’s side.
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Elseid Hysaj, 25, Napoli
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The right back issue has had two possible solutions linked. We’ll start with the least likely, with Elseid Hysaj as a potential rumor. Sarri has of course worked with Hysaj before, so having someone who knows the system could prove vital. However, with Napoli's president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, being openly hostile with Juventus in the past and with his berating words of Sarri’s betrayal, Napoli will be unlikely to want to give up the Albanian right back.
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Kieran Trippier, 28, Tottenham
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The option that has been much maligned but the most linked has been Tottenham full back Kieran Trippier. Juventus may well be getting two players from North London sides. Trippier had come off the back of a stellar 2017/2018 Premier League season and one of the best World Cup performances in the English side. Last season, there was a drop-off in performance which saw Trippier’s quality to be doubted. Sarri has had an up close and personal look at Trippier at Chelsea, and may well remember the own goal Trippier scored for his side. However, this is just one moment in one match, no matter how embarrassing. The truth is, Juventus are going to need a fullback, and their options are frankly limited. Trippier is well known for his crossing ability, both from set pieces and from open play. Having him cross from deep into Ronaldo or Manduzkic almost sounds like cheating. The biggest concern of course is going to be the defensive adjustment. Trippier will not only have to adjust to a single system (as Mauricio Pochettino changed systems almost as frequently as Allegri did), but he will have to adjust to an entire new league with a completely different defensive makeup. Trippier has also looked the strongest in a 5-at-the back like he did for the English side, as he has struggled last season in a four at the back. It would certainly be a gamble to see if Trippier could adjust defensively to Sarri’s style. But the offensive contributions he could provide may just be what Sarri will need in his right back.
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Matthijs De Ligt, 19, Ajax
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If Juventus are to get their hands on perhaps the most coveted young center back in Europe, then their depth problem at center back is instantly resolved. Matthijs De Ligt has the makings to be not only one of the best center backs in Europe, but a perfect Sarri center back. He can deal with the aerial balls caused by the high press (he won almost four aerial duels a game last year). He had a freakish 90% pass accuracy in the Eredivisie last season. He’s an aerial threat from set pieces (Juventus fans won’t forget his header against them in the Champions League). He’s accustomed to both passing short and working with a defensive mid in Frenkie De Jong. He’s worked with another ball-playing center back in Daley Blind. He was played under a one system coach that used a 4-3-3 in Erik ten Hag (granted with a different midfield shape). He’s Ajax’s captain at 19. Everything seems in perfect order for someone like De Ligt to be an instant success in Sarri’s system. The only potential issue comes with the style of play between Eredivise and Serie A. Looking back at the style of play article by Opta, it becomes clear that possession is held mostly with the two center backs, rather than quicker, more vertical build up play through the midfield. While Ajax’s center back do play a bit more progressively (especially under ten Hag), it will still be a change in system. But again, De Ligt is still only 19 years old, and could be chosen over one of the Italian center backs if Sarri elects to do so. This could represent a massive investment in Juventus’s future.
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Adrien Rabiot, 24, PSG (Available on Free Transfer)
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Juventus have also been linked to three midfielders of top quality. Let’s start with the most likely in Adrien Rabiot. He’s available on a free transfer following his fallout with Paris Saint-Germain. While the French club may want to keep the midfielder, a transfer to Juventus has still been discussed as being quite possible. Rabiot possesses some interesting skill sets that could suit Sarri’s system. He’d most likely slot in the right central midfield position due to his quality in quick-passing and well-roundedness. However, he could also make a case for the holding midfielder position if he is able to learn the system. He also represents height and a bit of a physical prescience in the midfield, which is lacking in the side.
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Paul Pogba, 26, Manchester United
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Another option is Paul Pogba. He’s been linked with a move back to Juventus, given the rumors of him being unsettled at Manchester United. Pogba flourished under the Turin side, earning him a move back to the club who developed him. Pogba contains similar qualities to Rabiot, but has an incredible passing range and creativity within the final third, which would probably see him play in the left sided center midfield role. The biggest issue I could see would be the strictness of Sarri’s system. While Pogba would be able to play the highest up the pitch of the theee midfielders, he can tend to roam to fit the conditions of the game. It’s what makes him so unpredictable and decisive in matches, and the system may hinder that.
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Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 24, Lazio
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A third option could be Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. He was tipped for a move to Juventus after an incredible 2017/2018 season, but had a poor World Cup. This season has seen a bit in the drop of form for the Serbian, which may have lowered his price. Again, another creative central midfielder who is a physical presence, but SMS may be the most accustomed to Serie A currently.
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All three of the players I just talked about represent great quality in the central midfield, but that position is perhaps the lowest priority in terms of current depth. Barring a few transfers, there are solid options in the midfield. With Ramsey coming in as well, it just might not be worth it to splash the cash on these players, despite their immense quality. Rabiot coming on a free should help his cause though, and may see Matuidi or Khedira (or both) moved as a result.
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Let’s look at a few left-field options, in terms of both transfer potential and fit within the side.
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Jorginho, 27, Chelsea
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Jorginho was always going to be brought up as soon as the news hit that Sarri was off to Juventus. He knows the system better than anyone else, and represents exactly what Sarri wants in his holding midfielder. The problem comes with the fact that Chelsea are about to be put under transfer embargo, and their options in the defensive midfield are limited. If Frank Lampard is to make the switch to Chelsea, it may be hard to see the Italian’s limited but quality skill set being utilized. He would come at an enormous price, and I already believe Pjanic can fill the role just as well.
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Gonzalo Higuaín, 31, Juventus (On Loan to Chelsea)
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I’ve mentioned Gonzalo Higuaín already, and he is set to return from loan. Sarri has already stated that he will accept the Argentinian should he decide to stay, but he will not be impressed with the striker’s return in the last half-season. It’s clear he has regressed quite a bit, and would certainly play second fiddle to Ronaldo or Dybala, depending on who Sarri wants up top. Whether or not he is ok with that is up to Higuaín, but I cannot see him returning to his blistering Napoli form. I wouldn’t be surprised if he elects to move elsewhere.
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Kalidou Koulibaly, 28, Napoli
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Kalidou Koulibaly is most certainly not going to move to Juventus, despite him potentially being an incredible fit within this side. De Laurentiis has already given a hands-off price for Koulibaly, and it’s unlikely that Juventus will go for him, no matter
how quality he is.
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Projected Lineup

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Given everything we have so far, what could Juventus’s team sheet look like on the first game week? Let’s take a look at a couple lineups that could happen given different circumstances. First, I have some predicted transfers going in and out of the club.
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Projected Transfers
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Transfers In
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Ramsey
Trippier
Rabiot
De Ligt
One more signing perhaps not mentioned yet (SMS still as a possibility)
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Transfers Out
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Cancelo
Khedira
Matuidi
One of Manduzkic or Higuaín
One of Cuadrado or Dybala
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The Current Depth Chart
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https://preview.redd.it/xq6jhir6m8631.png?width=1366&format=png&auto=webp&s=6aaa0b62c0855fd57812d6440635f34fad5b0993
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Currently, Juventus have some decent options. They could definitely fill out a title-winning side, but there are concerns about the midfield depth being able to adjust to Sarri’s tactics, and if Cancelo is actually going to be with the team this year. Center back depth is also a concern, especially with the aging starters. Again, potential concerns that need to be addressed in the transfer window.
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The Left Wing Ronaldo Squad
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https://preview.redd.it/r7c2302am8631.png?width=1366&format=png&auto=webp&s=c34622e1304492ccfca3091701ee08ea84ca97b8
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If Ronaldo does end up on the left side, which could end up being a good position for him, I imagine Dybala will shift into the striker role. This allows Bernardeschi to step into the right wing role.
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The Transfer Team
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https://preview.redd.it/t22ono5em8631.png?width=1366&format=png&auto=webp&s=0ef033ab493d7f52fb0957ae457789776e5c279b
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Rabiot becomes an instant starter within the side, filling in well on the right side. Bentacur will still see plenty of time from the bench, as I imagine he will be one of the first subs on. De Ligt also sees himself slot into the team in my opinion, as he represents great quality that doesn’t need much time to adjust to the Sarri system. Sarri may want to keep Bonucci and Chiellini together at the start as their experience together will be important at the start of the season. But I think De Ligt could force his way into the side immediately. Trippier would be in the team as well, although De Sciglio will still see time early as Sarri will look to see who settles better. If SMS or Pogba is to come, then Ramsey may be shifted out of the starting eleven.
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The Inversion
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https://preview.redd.it/ikdw243im8631.png?width=1366&format=png&auto=webp&s=f0bb02543090b74c61bc61dfcdaf186c41a76659
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On paper, this seems like almost the exact same squad with Rabiot and Ramsey switched. But Sarri has said he will assess the players and then work on the tactics, not the other way around. In my opinion, he doesn’t have to go all that far to change his system to get the best out of his players. If he focuses attacks on the right side and pushes up the right side further than the left, he solves a lot of the positional and left-footed issues. Dybala is allowed to play higher and work inside on his left foot. Douglas Costa operates as a traditional winger and can cross on his left foot. Trippier is allowed to play higher up the pitch, maximizing his offensive output. Ramsey and Rabiot each play on their strong foot. The only potential loser would be Alex Sandro, who may not be able to play as high up as he would like. If Sarri does want to bring his style of play and play to the squad’s individual strengths, this may be an idea worth investigating. But remember, I’m just some guy on the internet making tactical predictions.
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The Old Ways
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https://preview.redd.it/ozno7v0lm8631.png?width=1366&format=png&auto=webp&s=85099f5cbc86bc41f4b47955256b659a29437740
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Sarri hasn’t always played his 4-3-3. At Empoli, he would often play a 4-3-1-2, which would be in some players’ best interests. Ronaldo would work with a second striker like he’s done many times before, Dybala gets to play at the ten, and the midfield three remains mostly the same. This could be viable if Costa is transferred and both Higuaín and Manduzkic are kept. If Sarri wants to roll the dice, maybe he could employ this strategy. He’s not a man known for rotation or changing of style, but if he is willing to adapt, maybe he could go back to his roots.
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Conclusion

Sarri will definitely have his hands full this summer in terms of decisions. He should be fine in terms of system, and should be thrilled at the quality and versatility of the players at his disposal. He will have to get to work on instilling a system into a team that was used to rotation and constant changes. He’ll also have to make sure he can get the team to press the way he wants. There are a lot of questions up front that Sarri has to get right immediately. His options in the midfield are impressive and he could even afford to sell off a few midfielders should Rabiot, SMS, or Pogba make their way to the Allianz. Pjanic will have to quickly understand his role, but Sarri should be excited about his potential to succeed Jorginho. The right back spot will need to be filled, and if the answer is Trippier, Sarri will need to help him rediscover his quality. The center back pairing of Chiellini and Bonucci should have no issue, and if De Ligt is on the way, perhaps he will be in line to replace one of them (Bonucci being the likelier candidate to be replaced).
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There are a lot of question marks for Juventus, but the future looks promising. There’s one thing for certain, though: Sarri begins his reign at the Allianz, and it will be interesting to see how he may utilize his notorious system for Juventus.
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If I missed anything or if you have better suggestions, let me know, as this is my first foray into a more tactical analysis.