Udinese v Juventus
Serie A Week 20 – Sunday, 17th January – 14:00 GMT – Stadio Friuli
Juventus
In the last weekend, Juventus defeated Sampdoria and stretched the winning streak to nine games: it is an achievement that should not be underappreciated. In the final minutes of the Sunday games we suffered a little too much and we should have not have conceded after that Alvaro Morata blew a golden opportunity to seal the game, but, as long as the team is playing good enough to win, everything is fine. This is a remarkable display of strength by Juventus, which have now reached Inter in the standings and trail only to Napoli. Nerazzurri and Maurizio Sarri’s side, which is playing splendid football and have the hottest striker in Serie A, are very good teams, but I think that once Juventus will take the lead, it will be extremely difficult to keep up with them.
Every win adds a little burden and that is why only élite team can put together long winning streaks. Bianconeri will eventually be picked off by somebody because of a defensive lapse or an unfortunate game where they can not put the game in the net. However, thanks to these victories in a row they have re-joined the title picture (they were never out in my opinion, despite what many pundits were saying) and they are heavy favourites to win the title.
Even though the opponents were not great, this is a pretty rough part of the schedule since it is the third away match in four games. Juventus squeaked by against Carpi and Sampdoria and now they face Udinese, an opponent that came away with three points from the Stadium in August: a lucky result since they spent the game sitting back and basically scored at their first attempt, but as we know there were deep issues with the team at the beginning of the season.
Alvaro Morata skipped a practice because of the flu but he has returned, however Mario Mandzukic is now available, he was on the bench at Marassi too, so the battle to start alongside Paulo Dybala is wide open. We will see if Massimiliano Allegri will go with the best couple, which right now features the Croatian striker, or if he will try to boost the Spaniard’s confidence by giving him more playing time and a chance to snap out of his slump. Simone Zaza is unlikely to start, but it is funny how, after months of borderline disdain for the guy, on Sunday many fans on Twitter were clamouring for him to be subbed in.
Claudio Marchisio will return and anchor the midfield: Hernanes has at least not been hurtful against Sampdoria, but I do not know if the coach will insist with this reclamation project: I do not see the Brazilian being part of long-term plans. Sami Khedira played his best game since coming back from the injury and Paul Pogba is in a stellar moment. Stephen Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra were the full backs against Sampdoria, which made the lineup pretty defensive: the duo might be confirmed against a team that has its biggest strength on the flanks.
There is no indication that Andrea Barzagli is ready to play tise game, so it will once again come down to Daniele Rugani or Martin Caceres. The rumours on the Uruguayan defender leaving have intensified, he has an expiring contract so the management might look to cash in a little on him instead of losing him for nothing. I would not mind a departure: he is a nice player, quite energetic and versatile, but dependability is a big factor for a backup and he is injured most of the time and has had his share of off-field issues. It is rare that selling a centre-back comes back to hunt you, anyway I would not give him to another Italian team.
Probable lineup:
3-5-2: Buffon; Rugani, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichsteiner, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala.
Injuries:
Barzagli (calf), Pereyra (hamstring), Lemina (knee).
Suspended:
None.
Udinese
Udinese are not having a great season but they remain much better than most of the low-table teams so they are destined to have a boring season and finish in the middle of the pack. Gone are the days of the exciting Guidolin-led Udinese’s sides full of brilliant prospects set to make the ownership rich in the following transfer windows: the Pozzo family is focusing on Watford and who can blame them?
Anyway, I think this was their goal when they hired the former Atalanta coach: they gambled with Andrea Stramaccioni in the previous season and the choice did not pay off, so they went for somebody who could guarantee the permanence in Serie A without sweating too much but also has not any upside.
Their two brightest young players, Duvan Zapata and Stipe Perica, are on loan from Udinese and Chelsea respectively, their latest find Ali Adnan has been buried on the bench by Stefano Colantuono for performance reasons and also Bruno Fernandes and Silvan Widmer have blended in the dullness of the rest of the squad.
They use 3-5-2 too: their main threats are Widmer and Edenilson, two wing backs who have great motor. Edenilson missed the last game because he was fatigued but he should be ready for this one, if he is not Ali Adnan would take his spot on the left.
Antonio Di Natale stressed during the week that this will probably be his last game against Juventus, the team he once refused to join, so I guess he will start despite being benched more often than not in the last few games. At this point, the question is not whether Totò will retire in 2016 but if he will finish the season. Now that Zapata is back and Perica is scoring, they actually have a decent attack. Among the other options, Cyril Thereau is the most likely to be Di Natale’s sidekick in the attack.
Bruno Fernandes has been starting recently as box-to-box midfielder but Manuel Iturra is the favourite to play in the midfield, alongside Emmanuel Badu and Francesco Lodi, to add some muscles. Thomas Heurtaux is still not all the way back from a nagging knee injury: Molla Wague should keep his spot in the starting XI, with Danilo and Felipe. They are not missing any major player.
Probable lineup:
3-5-2: Karnezis; Wague, Danilo, Felipe; Widmer, Badu, Lodi, Iturra, Edenilson; Thereau, Di Natale.
Injuries:
Merkel (knee), Pasquale (foot), Domizzi.
Suspended:
None.
Formation
nice overview of the fixture.
I am very conflicted about Caceres. I think he is a great addtion to the team when you look at his mentality (ignoring car accident). He is like a padoin, who doesnt mind sitting on the bench, but is actually useful when in the starting 11. Remembering his actions agains AC milan, and some steady competition for Stephan
What is currently the record for longest winning streek? would be increadible to see them match this and go on to win the league. Juventus has made some increadible leaps in the last months. Many said that they were playing horribly and seemed ‘lost’ at the beginning of the season, but i alwasy felt that they were not exactly lucky. some games lost/tied in the last minutes or despite the game being displayed. but now they are winning where it is clearly their right.
Pogba i think has made a huge impact for this, unfortunetally converting his role from amazing shots to a more distributed position. but with him playing the way, with the same composure, he is well worth fight to keep in the team.
My transfer thought:
I like Morata, along side Tevez responsible for much entertainment in de CL, but Real have a transfer clause. they are plannign to (due to the upcoming ban from making any transfers) buy some future talent. Morata could be a target.
my idea is that they might come knocking, and i would applaud a deal where we get Isco in return. under Zidane, this is probably more difficult, but if morata + cash ends up with us taking over Isco, i would be so happy. Zaza would play a more dominant role, and we would have an absolute world star here, who isnt playing at Madrid
More pertinent response to yet another welcome and much appreciated stance for the Master of Previews…to follow…yet I am presently befuddled in wondrous ways and keen on sharing…
https://thedissolutefox.com/the-state-of-uk-hiphop-tear-your-heart-out-your-chest-just-to-hear-your-beat/
of which, I must focus your virtual sights on this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHqEKIV23Wo
Inter drew their game with Atalanta, time to become the sole #2 in the League, perhaps more if Napoli dont beat Sassuolo! 1-1 there so far
Well almost almost. Fuckpoli is strong as never before.
Yes it will be very challenging, but as soon as Napoli have injuries I think they will falter
Yes. Napoli without Higuorwhatsever is nothing.
Im happy that Asamoah played well today.
Like his style.
Well they have more quality than just Higuain, Mertens, Allan, Callejon, Insigne and most of their starting line-up are decent to very good players, just their depth sucks. As soon as fatigue hits in, when they play in Europe and the Coppa too, I think they will lose form and points.
Nobody has the depth that Juve has. And i also am very happy to see Asamoah return to the action, I hope he can get fit fast and stay in shape now
I just dont know how important coppa italia is?
Could be hard for Juve too, to play on three weedings, you know.
Of course it will be hard for us too, but Juve has the luxury of great squad depth. Even an entire B-team would be a strong team in Seria A.
Making up a team with non starters here, or at least those who dont play much recently:
Neto
Cuadrado-caceres-rugani-Evra/Sandro (who do you rate 2nd here??)
Asamoah-Hernanes-Lemina
Pereyra
Morata Zaza
You can still swap some players here and there, but you get the idea, these are all no starters and still make a good team.
Do the same with Napoli or Inter and the drop in quality is immense, that is where Juve beats anyone in Serie A.
youre right!
I like the Evra /Sandro question:
but I have to say, Sandro is my number one.
I dont think that Evra will be part of Juve next season. Though I really love him, one of the best defenders ever I saw in juve shirt.
I like them both, Sandro is obviously the future number one but for now, its entirely situational. Juve and Evra are talking about a one year extension though, he could be here for one more season
That would be great! I think hes his mentor
Agreed, Evra is and was a great left back. Its also often reported that Evra is a leading figure in the dressing room
Yes, the little man has the voice!
That sounds great!
Hats off for another nice preview. In light of Inter’s result, I’m really hoping for a big push by Juve and a win. Not that I have a problem with Evra, but I think I’d opt for Sandro, at least to start. I’d also start the Croatian, given he is 100%. I understand why some would want to start Morata to show him confidence, but I like to set people up for success. He’s already struggling to regain his scoring form. If he has or is recovering from the flu, let him recover, rejuvenate and then bring him back into the fold. I’d also like to see Zaza get some minutes.
With regard to the comment about Caceres, I too am conflicted. I really love having him on the team, but it seems that with the amount of injuries he’s experienced recently and his contact situation, it may be time to sell. He has my gratitude for his service to Juve.
And one more thing… amazing pic at the beginning of the preview!
Cheers for the preview, Enrico…I have regained my vision and balance and danced my way through your words.
This a perfect opportunity to put some demons to bed, for it was the reverse fixture which began our season so horridly. We should be fired up and eager to put things right, to prove how far we have come since the haphazard start to this campaign.
We are a different team, in feel, shape and potency. Great to have the big man back up top and especially Marchisio returning to the ranks. Would greatly prefer to see Sandro on the left and to stick with Lichsteiner on the opposite flank. After a decent enough showing against Samp, and the contract situation of Caceres, it will be rather odd to find Rugani back on the bench. I was pleased to read of rumours suggesting a possible swap of Caceres and Ranocchia. A chance to pick up Big Leo’s old pal from his Bari days, another italian, with something to prove after finding himself moved to the bench this term under Mancini. Only problems there are…He might make chances for Rugani even more limited and secondly, he will be guaranteed no more game time than he has found at Inter this season. More likely he will move to AC Milan. (As for Caceres, I have no problems with his transfer to an italian club…he is not world class and has an atrocious injury record so cannot see how he could strengthen hugely any domestic rival. I will be happy enough just to see him playing and fit, wherever he ends up).
The point of interest in Ranocchia is that most squads have at least two options for every position. Bearing in mind we play presently with a 3-5-2, if Martin leaves, we have only Rugani, so another CB will assuredly be brought into the squad. Of that, I have zero doubt. 1 Back-up is not enough to cover 3 positions. We can get by with 2 back-ups, or let us call them back-up/challengers, to please the Ruagani fans. And I suspect there will be at least a tentative forage into a flat back four when Pereyra is fit enough to play in the hole. Or out wide up top.
On a side note…and I will be covering the youth sector in the very near future…the primavera won yet again yesterday (1-2 away to Modena), to make it 7 on the trot and confirm their place at the top of their U19 league. Di Massimo made his debut. Forza Grosso!
I really dont want Ranocchia anywhere near our beloved Juve 🙁 he is too prone to errors and is not of Juve quality at all. Besides that, our latest buy from Inter was in far better shape and he is a wreck at best.
Anyone, but not rano or acerbi or mexes or anyone like that. I would even rather try out Vidic if it must be
Must win for Juve.
But the mind of the mates can play tricks.
So watch out juve!
No Pogba …..
Gets a rest
out with the flu
Thx.
2 points and we are on top.
That will be a battle against roma.
Yeah i cant wait to see them demolish Roma, even though Roma is already pretty far behind in the titel race
Did you hear about the rumours on Pereyra!!??
No, whats about him?
https://gazzettaworld.gazzetta.it/news/transfer-market/juventus-pereyra-inter-guarin/
I hope its nonsense
Unless i am completely wrong, Gazzetta is a bullshit newspaper, comparible to the sun or the daily mirror in the UK. Full of shit.
It would be a horrible idea to swap those two
Thats whats I didnt know. Thanks pal
I’m not 100% sure of this, We’ll see if anyone else feels like confirming this 😛
Pretty sure though
Great free kick by Dybala, Messi definitely taught him that
Sami Khedira!!!!!
Dybalalalalalalala!!! 3-0
this is turning to a rout
wow i didnt notice short hair sammy
Glorious day!