The organised back-line at Juventus formed by Chiellini, Bonucci, and Andrea Barzagli proved to be a strong defensive line-up, as Juventus finished the 2011–12 Serie A season with the best defence in the league; the three-man defence also allowed the central defender, Bonucci, to operate in a free role, and advance into midfield as a ball-playing centre-back, providing an additional creative outlet whenever Pirlo was heavily marked.
The coordinated rear-guard at Juventus, comprising Chiellini, Bonucci, and Andrea Barzagli, proved to be a robust defensive formation, as Juventus concluded the 2011–12 Serie A season with the top defence in the league; the three-man defence also enabled the central defender, Bonucci, to operate in an unstructured role, and advance into midfield as a ball-controlling centre-back, providing an extra creative outlet whenever Pirlo was heavily marked.