Mirko Vucinic is expected to partner Carlos Tevez, while Miroslav Klose is supported by Hernanes in tonight’s Italian Super Cup Juventus–Lazio” data-scaytid=”19″>Juventus-Lazio.
Mirko Vucinic is expected to partner Carlos Tevez, while Miroslav Klose is supported by Hernanes in tonight’s Italian Super Cup Juventus-Lazio.
The traditional season opener is between Coppa Italia holders Lazio and Scudetto winners Juventus. It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
The Bianconeri have some fitness doubts over Andrea Barzagli and Fernando Llorente, as the Spaniard has looked tired and off form in pre-season friendlies.
Therefore Vucinic is likely to partner new signing Tevez in attack, leading Antonio Conte’s favoured 3-5-2 system.
Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio should take the midfield roles, leaving Paul Pogba on the bench as he only recently began training after winning the Under-20 World Cup with France.
Lazio have largely the same squad as last season, with the only real addition of Argentina international Lucas Biglia in midfield.
Vladimir Petkovic experimented with several different tactical systems during recent friendlies, so his line-up could well vary its shape and remain unpredictable.
Hernanes should start despite fatigue from international duty, while Antonio Candreva and Senad Lulic also provide support for hitman Miroslav Klose.
The German international has never been able to score against Juventus in seven previous meetings.
Stefano Mauri is in the stands after his appeal against a six-month ban for failing to alert authorities to a potential fix was postponed pending further investigation.
Felipe Anderson and Vinicius are also injured.
Probable line-ups
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Tevez, Vucinic
Juventus bench: Storari, Ogbonna, Caceres, Peluso, Isla, Marrone, Padoin, Pogba, Giovinco, Llorente, Matri, Quagliarella
Lazio: Marchetti; Konko, Biava, Dias, Radu; Biglia, Ledesma; Candreva, Hernanes, Lulic; Klose
Lazio bench: Bizzarri, Strakosha, Ciani, Cana, Novaretti, Cavanda, Gonzalez, Onazi, Ederson, Floccari, Kozak, Rozzi