Juventus” data-scaytid=”1″>Juventus begin the defence of their Serie A title away to Chievo with Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba and Kingsley Coman.
Juventus begin the defence of their Serie A title away to Chievo with Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba and Kingsley Coman.
The 2014-15 campaign kicks off at the Stadio Bentegodi in Verona at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT). Click here for a match preview.
It’s a new era for the Bianconeri, who won the last three Scudetti with Antonio Conte at the helm and are now in the hands of Massimiliano Allegri.
The ex-Milan Coach is forced to do without several top stars in this debut match, as Andrea Pirlo, Alvaro Morata and Andrea Barzagli are all out injured.
Giorgio Chiellini also continues his three-match ban for elbowing Miralem Pjanic in last season’s Roma game.
Allegri therefore gives the midfield nod to Coman, the 18-year-old who signed this summer on a free transfer from PSG.
He is supporting Carlos Tevez, backed by Pogba, Claudio Marchisio and Vidal, who is rediscovering his fitness after the World Cup.
Angelo Ogbonna and Martin Caceres step into the back three. Fernando Llorente is one of those suffering from a flu epidemic in the Juve camp.
Chievo had a disastrous pre-season, crashing out of the Coppa Italia at the first hurdle and disappointing in their performances.
Hitman Sergio Pellissier is suspended, but Alberto Paloschi is surprisingly only on the bench, so Valter Birsa and Ezequiel Schelotto support ex-Sampdoria striker Maxi Lopez.
Coach Eugenio Corini can count on new signings Mariano Izco and goalkeeper Francesco Bardi, who is on loan from Inter, but give a surprise start in midfield to ex-Monaco and Nancy midfielder Thomas Mangani.
Chievo: Bardi; Frey, Dainelli, Cesar, Biraghi; Izco, Mangani, Hetemaj; Schelotto, Birsa; Maxi Lopez
Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba, Asamoah; Coman; Tevez