Udinese coach Luca Gotti expects ‘the same Juventus we were accustomed to watching for five years’ under Max Allegri.
Their Serie A opener kicks off on Sunday at 18.30 UK time at the Dacia Arena.
“We’ve been working for 45 days now and are raring to go, but starting against the team that dominated the last 10 years in Serie A is doubly stimulating,” Gotti told Udinese TV.
“The key will be not allowing much space for Juventus to play in, but also not just defending. You cannot let teams like Juventus rest in their comfort zone, you need physical and mental strength, as well as a bit of luck.”
Max Allegri has returned to the Juventus bench after a two-year absence, aiming for a more direct approach than possession-based Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo.
“I expect to see the Juventus we were accustomed to watching for five years under Allegri, a strong side with a winning mentality. Allegri is a friend and I know his ability to read the game in progress. Facing him will certainly be intriguing.”
Jens Stryger-Larsen and Fernando Forestieri are in doubt with muscular issues, while Gerard Deulofeu is working his way back to fitness after a long lay-off.