The 2014 2015 season was a great one for the Juventus football club, bringing a fourth consecutive title in the Italian Serie A (with only three losses along the way, no less), as well as a long-awaited return to the top of the podium in the Coppa Italia. Still, if one thing continues to elude the Italian titans, it's a European title. They haven't won the Champions League since 1995 1996, and haven't clinched the Europa League since 1993. Needless to say, in 2015 2016, the primary goal is going to be ending that draught. The announcement that Juventus sign Mario Mandzukic signals a plan of action!

Juve's Offensive Void

Mario Mandzukic is on his way to Juve after a single-season stint with Atletico Madrid. The 29-year-old Croatian striker will join the Zebras on a four-year contract, and will hopefully fill the void that existed in the club's offense during the 2014 2015 season.

While the wearers of the Juventus home jersey 2014 2015 had an ace in the hole this past season-with Carlos Tevez knocking down 20 goals in Serie A fixtures, and 29 overall-they lacked another star scorer. Where Tevez ranked third in the league in terms of goals scored, Juve's next most prolific scorers-Alvaro Morata and Paul Pogba-scored eight goals apiece, finishing as two parts of a 10-way tie at 28th.

Obviously, that was fine for the Serie A. Juve finished the season with a goal difference of +48-15 points better than any other football club in the league. In the Champions League, though, the fact that Tevez essentially had to carry the team arguably cost Juventus the title. Tevez was the only Juventus player among the top 10 scorers for the tournament. Meanwhile, Barcelona had three players in the top 10 and two in the top three. It's simple math for why the Zebras didn't quite have enough gas in the tank to win the tournament.

What Mario Mandzukic Will Bring to the Table

Mario Mandzukic, obviously, is a signing meant to pad out the Juventus offense a little bit further. Playing for Atletico Madrid this past season, the Croatian striker scored 12 goals in La Liga fixtures and Juventus Home Shirt 2014 - 201520 overall. And while Mandzukic's effectiveness seemed to drop off in the second half of the season-he didn't score once in a league fixture after February-there is still plenty of evidence to suggest that he will be able to thrive at Juventus.

For one thing, Mario scored five goals in the Champions League group stage alone-including one of the tournament's few hat tricks in a home game against Olympiakos Piraeus. For another, Mandzukic is just a couple seasons removed from his stunning performance at Bayern Munich in 2013 2014. That season, he scored 18 goals in 30 league appearances, finishing the year as the Bundesliga's second most prolific scorer. He added an additional eight goals in cup and continental play, helping Bayern Munich to a DFB Pokal victory and a semifinal run in the Champions League.

At 29, Mandzukic's best seasons may be behind him. However, he remains for now a superb offensive soccer player, and is a clear marquee signing for Juventus.

Tevez: On the Way Out

With that said, Juventus will need Mario Mandzukic to play his best season ever after the rumors about Carlos Tevez were confirmed. Tevez has signed a contract with the Boca Juniors-his home club and the team with which he began his career. Tevez is returning to the Juniors for the final years of his senior football career. With Tevez on his way out, then Juventus will at least need to make another major offensive signing-in addition to Mandzukic-to have a shot at next year's Champions League.

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