25 May 2017
Juventus Football Club is delighted to announce that Mario Mandzukic has renewed his contract until 30 June 2020, extending a journey that began in July 2015.
Power, perseverance and a penchant for decisive goals in the big moments have seen the imposing Croatian become an indispensable member of a Juventus side that has lifted consecutive domestic doubles and an Italian Super Cup since he arrived in Turin.
It was Mario’s trademark back-post finish against Monaco in the Champions League semi-finals that put Juve’s place in Cardiff beyond doubt last month, and with the number 17’s black and white adventure set to continue for at least another three seasons, the best is yet to come in the immediate and the long term for both parties.
Mandzukic’s work at Juventus Stadium has been one of both quality and quantity. Only Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain have found the net more often than Mario (23) since the start of last season, while the Croatia international sits in fourth place for chances created (90) and third for shots on target (53).
Particularly since his mid-season rebirth as a wide forward, Mandzukic’s attacking contributions are not limited to his goal tally; with eight assists to his name this term, he is also one of his team’s most consistent creative forces.
Perhaps the most revealing feature of the 31-year-old’s Bianconeri experience so far has been his output going in the other direction away from goal.
Remarkably, no other Juve man has won more tackles than Mandzukic in the past two campaigns (74) and it is at this point that you begin to comprehend what he is all about.
For with players like Mario, it takes more than just numbers to get a true understanding of exactly what he brings to Massimiliano Allegri’s team.
He has the decisive touch in the penalty area, the thumping tackle that cranks up the volume of the home crowd, the aggression and power that bring supporters to their feet, the all-important sacrifice and tactical intelligence on the flanks that give his side balance and defensive cover.
It is to the credit of both coach and player that Mandzukic has made such a smooth and seamless transition from central target man - a role in which he excelled in his debut campaign - to unplayable wide forward this season, not least a testament to the fact that the ex Bayern Munich man is simply an extraordinary athlete.
They say that the very best are capable of playing anywhere and in Mario Mandzukic you won’t find a better example of that.
