Juventus v AC Milan
Coppa Italia – Wednesday, 25th January – 19:45 GMT – Juventus Stadium
Juventus
Juve are expected to field a modfied version of the team that beat Lazio 2-0, however the formation is likely to remain the same.
“We’ll change some players, because we played a very tense and physical game on Sunday,” Allegri told the press in his pre-match conference.
“Tomorrow night will be a final, and then we have a game with Sassuolo on Sunday. Everyone else is fine, so there will definitely be changes. Marchisio is unlikely to be available for the game because he didn’t train with the team as of yesterday, he did separate work. It’s normal though, since he came back he’s been getting better but it was expected the there would be a period where he’d have a bit more difficulty, not so much with his knee but with his muscles. He worked well yesterday, not with the team. We’ll see today, but it’s unlikely that he’ll be available for the game.
“As for Pjaca, it’s difficult for him to play from the start. He’s a lad – a player – who is destined for greatness, because he’s always made important chances when he’s appeared.
“That goes for Empoli when he came on, it was the same on Sunday and in the Champions League when he came on at the end.
“When he makes these cameos he’s always available, he always has chances to score and he always does something important.
“It’s normal that he’s destined to grow and have a good career.
“He’s a lad who needs to grow, I’ve said it and I’ll repeat it.
“He’s a young player with great qualities, and he’s destined for greatness, but he needs to grow because he’s a lad who has arrived from Dinamo Zagreb in what is a much easier League where he was the star and he could afford to take a break.
“When you get to Juventus it’s different. It’s normal that he has to accelerate his journey, but he’s a player who will do great things.
“The defence? I have to see how Chiellini is after Sunday’s game. Bonucci needs to play because he’s been out for two months.
“I’ll have to look at Lichtsteiner, but whoever takes to the pitch will be in top condition because the game could last 120 minutes.
Probable lineup:
4-3-2-1: Neto; Barzagli, Rugani, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Sturaro, Rincon; Cuadrado, Pjanic, Dybala; Mandzukic
Injuries:
Marchisio (hamstring), Lemina (back), Evra, Benatia (AFCON), Mandragora (foot), Mattiello (nose).
Suspensions:
AC Milan
Probable lineup:
4-3-3: Donnarumma; Abate, Zapata, Romagnoli, Calabria; Kucka, Locatelli, Bertolacci; Suso, Bacca, Bonaventura
Out:
Montolivo
Suspensions:
Formation
Boy, oh boy am I excited about this game tonight.
There has been some talk about Pjaca and although I wish to see him (more) in action, I think Allegri has a good take on when to give youngsters the chance. Some times we might disagree, like with Rugani, but there is a fine balance between testing and integrating youngsters, keeping older players sharp, keeping all players in form, while making the team perform.
If Pjaca gets around 30 minutes or more tonight I will be satisfied.
!!!Forza Juve!!!
Difference is, Allegri sees them on the trainings field everyday. We see them sitting on a bench during matches only. Something tells me Rugani wasn’t ready yet and Allegri saw that.
Third time we meet and this time, we better fucking win eh! Let’s not give the Milan boys too many presents in one season!
Perfectly said, I’m glad we can agree on something after the whole Logo debate =)
Haha, fuck yeah
Time to crush everyone’s hopes for the Scudetto too.
Evra having Marseille medical
Official line up:
Neto Barzagli Rugani Bonucci Asamoah Khedira Pjanic Cuadrado Dybala Mandzukic Higuain
This is going well!!!
Damn it, I missed the first half. Looking at the score, we are doing excellent so far?
Seems like Pjanic is finding his feet in a deeper role after all eh, 2games played, a goal and an assist in the bag with still 45mins to play from that second game
Seems like he prefers the more passive role, just like Pirlo, although Pjanic is more anonymous. Still Pirlo had experience in that role so hopefully Pjanic can grow and fulfill his potential.
Yeah and on top of that, it’s great to have another specialist at free kicks
Juve official match feed getting excited: “Well stuck in, Juan! Cuadrado dispossesses Bonaventura with a crucial tackle on the edge of the box. Make no mistake: this boy can defend AND attack.”
Juve play so much better in this new formation although I wonder what allegri will do once marchisio is back. Marchisio, Pjanic and Khedira in a 4-2-3-1? Can’t see that happening..
Sounds most logical to me that either Marchisio is straight swapped with Khedira or you move Pjanic forward and Marchisio takes his spot. Cuadrado or Mandzu on the bench then
Cuadrado out, his decision making is none existing. For example, that one situation in a counter attack where he wants to pass the other side (Asamoah), while three people are sprinting in front of him….and the pass lands behind Asamoah and becomes a throw in for Milan
That’s Cuadrado eh, he can do something brilliant out of thin air, but more often than not it’s all fancy play with little result.
He’s bipolar or something 😛
No minutes for Pjaca and not even against 10?
Milan fought pretty hard even with 10, I saw Juve struggling defensively and in that sense, I guess Pjaca was deemed too offensive? Its the only thing I can think of.
Agree completely to that comment. Furthermore, we could wonder why Rincon or someone else wasn’t given 10-20 minuttes
Indeed, Milan was injecting fresh blood on the pitch and Juve wasn’t matching it. Guess Allegri was fine with things or he was keeping his options open in case it went to extra time?