Juventus knew they had to go shopping. “We spoke to Carlos [Tevez] in January, and Carlos expressed his desire, if the conditions were right, to return to Argentina,” President Andrea Agnelli stated just days after the Champions League Final loss to Barcelona.

He would be difficult to replace, but Juve did their best attacking business early in the summer. Paulo Dybala had already finalised his move from Palermo to be a guest of the club in Berlin. Mario Mandzukic would also arrive before the end of June.

Yet by September it looked a considerably different strikeforce to three months earlier. Juventus were resigned to losing Tevez and Alessandro Matri was only a loan signing. By the time the window slammed shut just Alvaro Morata remained from 2014-15. Simone Zaza’s arrival meant there was little space for Fernando Llorente, who left for Sevilla. And despite starting the first two matches of the campaign, Kingsley Coman joined Bayern Munich. Massimiliano Allegri’s subsequent words hinted he wasn’t happy with the switch. Add these ingredients and it’s little wonder the Bianconeri netted just six goals in as many rounds to start the campaign.

Juventus have overcome their slow start to become serious Scudetto contenders following seven successive victories. And only now is Allegri’s attacking jigsaw falling into place.

It centres on Dybala. The 22-year-old leads the Juve scoring charts with ten goals in all competitions. Signing for a deal worth up to €40m, the Argentine has emerged as the attacking lynchpin. It took some weeks to adjust to his new surroundings, nor did Allegri want to burden La Joya with too much responsibility too soon. But Dybala responded to net spectacular and important goals.

And Dybala takes what he can from Carlitos. Speaking of his role earlier this term he stated: “It’s almost that of a trequartista. I play between the lines. The truth is I have been studying Tevez for a year. I watched all his games last season and when we train together for the national team I try to copy him as much as possible.”

The Argentina international didn’t net in the year-ending win at Carpi, but Mandzukic did. Twice. Proving his predatory instincts, the Croat netted with his only two touches inside the hosts’ penalty area in the first half. That took his season tally to nine, including six in the last seven games. Important goals too. Each of the half-dozen directly impacted a result, from the winner against Manchester City to wiping out leads for Empoli and Carpi.

If Dybala has the intrinsic technical ability and movement of Tevez, then Mandzukic provides the grunt. His former Wolfsburg Coach Felix Magath once said he’s fit enough to “play two back-to-back high tempo games without stopping even for a minute.” That’s reflected in his defensive work, with Mandzukic often harrying opposition defences.

Between them, Dybala and Mandzukic have netted half of Juve’s 28 Serie A goals. They are Allegri’s partnership of choice, starting the last five League matches. They’ve proved decisive too, either scoring or assisting in each. The combination is beginning to flourish.

What of Morata? Goals in Juve’s first two Champions League fixtures equalled Alessandro Del Piero’s club record of netting in five consecutive European outings, but he’s since lost his place. Morata made only six League starts to Christmas – plus five in Europe – and is without a goal since early October. That’s 15 appearances. The 23-year-old is lacking in confidence and will hope to resurface in the New Year as he did last term.

Then there’s Zaza. He has acknowledged the desire for more playing time – appearing for only 284 minutes in Serie A – but is willing to work for his spot. “I’d prefer to play more and score more goals, obviously, but I’ve never complained and I won’t start now,” Zaza said after netting at Palermo. “I am enjoying the moment and looking forward to the next.” He took his next chance, scoring a Coppa brace against Torino. With five goals in all competitions, the Italian is showing Allegri he is a willing and reliable option.

But there’s no looking past the current pairing. There will be chances for Morata and Zaza as Juve fight on three fronts. Yet after the upheaval in August, the attack is now bearing fruit, the pieces coming together for Allegri.

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