Marchisio identifies biggest issue for struggling Juventus midfielder

Claudio Marchisio insists that struggling Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners needs a ‘well-defined’ role and context, as ‘identity’ is the most important thing for a team.

Former Juventus star Marchisio feels that Koopmeiners’ struggles at the Allianz Stadium come from the many tactical changes he’s been subject to.

The Dutchman himself admitted after a 1-0 loss against Real Madrid on Wednesday that he prefers playing as a central midfielder rather than as an attacking midfielder.

“Everyone has their own ideas regarding the system. I’ve always been convinced that the midfield offers more solutions, but I think it’s more about the identity than the system itself, and also having players who are always present, making as few changes as possible,” Marchisio said during an event in Turin, as quoted by Tuttosport.

“Koopmeiners has often changed roles, and I don’t think it’s easy for him to find an identity. I hope Tudor can find it soon.

“A well-defined role in a well-defined context can help a player with precise skill sets, but one who has also been struggling since last season. I even used to play as a winger sometimes, or in a two-man midfield, sometimes even as a full-back. It gave me versatility, but in terms of performances, you risk ending up in a bottleneck that’s hard to get out of.”

Koopmeiners joined Juventus in a €60m deal from Atalanta in the summer of 2024. He has only collected five goals and three assists in 53 appearances across all competitions with the Old Lady.

His contract at the Allianz Stadium runs out in June 2029.

Juventus have not won any of their last seven games across all competitions as their latest victory dates back to September 13, when they beat Inter 4-3 at the Allianz Stadium.

Their next game is against Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday.