Gianluigi Buffon will return to the Juventus starting XI against Atalanta, as Massimiliano Allegri sticks with 4-3-3.
Words: Elio Salerno
Following the Bianconeri’s win over Chievo at the Bentegodi on Saturday evening, Max Allegri’s attention would have immediately turned to Tuesday night’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Atalanta.
Gianluigi Buffon will return to the Juventus starting XI against Atalanta, as Massimiliano Allegri sticks with 4-3-3.
Words: Elio Salerno
Following the Bianconeri’s win over Chievo at the Bentegodi on Saturday evening, Max Allegri’s attention would have immediately turned to Tuesday night’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Atalanta.
With both Allegri and his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini facing little in the way of preparation time before the game at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, the Coaches will be looking to gauge the condition of their respective squads in the build up to kick-off.
With little news to report on the training front, Allegri will continue to deploy the 4-3-3 we have seen his side use in recent weeks. The Juventus Coach will utilise the squad he has at his disposal, rotating his players in an attempt to keep them fresh ahead of a busy spell of games.
Juventus have no fresh injury concerns at present. The trio of Benedikt Höwedes, Juan Cuadrado and star man Paulo Dybala remain sidelined, ruling them out of this game.
However, fresh from celebrating his 40th birthday over the weekend, Gianluigi Buffon will be back in the starting XI for this one.
After taking a place on the bench against Chievo it is expected that Buffon will replace Wojciech Szczęsny in the starting line-up, making his first start since early December.
Midfield man Claudio Marchisio will make a return to the squad after his latest injury, but he’s expected to start on the bench.
Rested against Chievo, Giorgio Chiellini and Alex Sandro are set to return to the Juventus defence, with both players coming in at the expense of Andrea Barzagli and Kwadwo Asamoah.
After his first start since a short spell out, Mattia De Sciglio will likely be rotated at right back for Stephen Lichtsteiner, while Medhi Benatia will retain his place and complete the back four.
In midfield, utility man Stefano Sturaro was treated to a rare start in Verona, however he will return to the side-lines for this one with Blaise Matuidi stepping back in after shaking off a knock. Alongside side Matuidi, the irreplaceable Miralem Pjanic is almost certainly a guarantee; while it is likely Sami Khedira will complete the midfield trio after his goal at the weekend. Rumours circulate that Uruguayan talent Rodrigo Bentancur has a chance of starting this one, and if so he would line up in place of Khedira.
“We must score in this away leg”, Allegri stressed in the pre-match press conference the importance of grabbing an away goal in Bergamo and he will be looking to his attacking options to make that happen. This Coppa Italia tie could be an opportunity for Federico Bernardeschi to prove his worth from the start, he made another positive impact at the weekend as he provided an assist for the opening goal and this has further intensified the calls for the Italian talent to be given more minutes.
In what would be a surprising change, especially on the back of ending his mini goal drought at the weekend, forward Gonzalo Higuain could be rested. A rare break for Higuain would see Mario Mandzukic spearhead the attack, with the Croatian being flanked by Bernardeschi and the in-form Douglas Costa. The Brazilian wing wizard has been vital to the Bianconeri attack in recent weeks and will likely maintain his starting place.
Probable Juventus team for Atalanta: Buffon; De Sciglio, Benatia, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Matuidi, Pjanic, Khedira; Bernardeschi, Mandzukic, Douglas Costa