High-flying Juventus will look to maintain their recent climb up the table when they host Udinese in a Serie A fixture on Saturday.
Juventus, who face Udinese next, may be in crisis off the pitch. But they are putting together a fantastic run of results to ease the pressure on boss Massimiliano Allegri and are steadily clawing their way back into the Serie A title race, which has opened up after league leaders Napoli fell to their first defeat of the season against Inter Milan this week.
While all eyes were on the World Cup in Qatar, Italian prosecutors were busy investigating the Bianconeri for suspected discrepancies in player transfers and wages, resulting in the resignation of the board in November.
Chairman Andrea Agnelli’s long tenure, during which the club won nine consecutive league titles, was put to an end. But Massimiliano Allegri remains despite pressure from the media and fans to fire him following a poor start to the season that saw them crash out of the UEFA Champions League in humiliating fashion.
Despite the off-field turmoil that has engulfed and concerned the club, Juventus have continued to produce results on the field lately, albeit not always convincingly. Arkadiusz Milik found the net from a free-kick in stoppage time to steer Juventus to a hard-fought 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Cremonese in midweek, extending their winning league streak to seven successive games, each of them to nil, which is even more impressive.
On the other hand, Udinese’s season has stalled after a strong start. The Friulians go into this round winless in seven straight league games (D5 L2). Roberto Pereyra’s second-half effort helped Andrea Sottil’s side earn a point in a dramatic 1-1 draw at the Dacia Arena on Wednesday.
But if the visitors are to rekindle their chances of qualifying for Europe, they cannot afford to lose ground on teams above them, with sixth-placed Roma currently five points ahead. The corresponding fixture last season saw Juventus cruise to a 2-0 win over Udinese, courtesy of goals from Paulo Dybala and Weston McKennie. Ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 5, 2023
Despite the World Cup break, injury concerns have not exactly been alleviated for Massimiliano Allegri & co. Juventus are still without the services of Leonardo Bonucci, Paul Pogba, and Dusan Vlahovic. In addition, Adrien Rabiot might only make the bench as he recovers from a concussion sustained in the World Cup final.
The good news is that crafty winger Federico Chiesa featured against Cremonense after a long-term absence through injury. Meanwhile, Allegri will hope to welcome World Cup winner Angel Di Maria back to the squad for the Udinese clash.
Allegri is likely to set up his side in a 3-5-2 formation. Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal behind the back three of Danilo, Bremer, and Alex Sandro. Juan Cuadrado, who should get the nod ahead of youngster Matias Soule, and Filip Kostic will be entrusted with proving the width on the flanks, especially the latter thanks to his exceptional crossing ability and ability to break lines with his progressive passes.
Young guns Fabio Miretti and Nicolo Fagioli performed well against Cremonense and might get an extended run in the starting lineup here. The former will pull the strings from the middle of the park. Manuel Locatelli will support the duo with his experience, positional awareness, and defensive nous.
Arkadiusz Milik has been a refreshing addition to Juventus. And keeping him in Turin beyond his loan term seems a forgone conclusion at the moment. An off-the-ball workhorse both as a centre-forward and second striker, he has the poaching and aerial prowess that Vlahovic at times lacks, as he single-handedly won Juve three points against Cremonese.
Moise Kean came off the bench last time out and is likely to play from the start on Saturday after making a good impact. His introduction in attack is likely to free up space for Milik to make a nuisance of himself and sniff out a couple of prime goalscoring opportunities.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Sandro, Bremer, Danilo; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Miretti, Locatelli, Kostic; Kean, Milik
Udinese
Unlike his counterpart in the Juventus dugout, Udinese head coach Andrea Sottil does not have any fresh injury concerns to cope with. Sottil is boosted by a full-strength roster to pick from for this game, with experienced defender Adam Masina the only doubt for the trip to Turin.
Spanish international Gerard Deulofeu would be available to feature here, despite the former Everton and Watford winger being linked with a Premier League return with Aston Villa. That, if it materialises, would serve as a deadly blow to any leftover hopes of securing European football next season.
One would have to go back to early October, when they overcame basement boys Hellas Verona 2-1, for Udinese’s last Serie A win. Sottil’s men have frustratingly played out six draws since, although a share of the spoils here would be deemed a good result.
Udinese will also look to top-scorer Beto to provide the spark in attack. The Portuguese striker has been a talismanic marksman in Udine this term, netting six times in 16 appearances. What is even more impressive is that his side has won the match on four of his six scoring matches. Isaac Success is expected to start alongside Beto to form a two-man strike-force.
On the other end of the pitch, Marco Silvestri picks himself up between the sticks. And Udinese will set up in a 3-5-2 formation against Juventus. If Sottil cannot call upon the services of Masina, Nehuen Perez ought to line up alongside Rodrigo Becao and Jaka Bijol in the three-man central defensive unit.
As for the midfield, the key man for Udinese will be defensive midfielder Walace, who will be tasked with keeping things tight in the middle of the park while attempting to nip Juventus’s moves at the source.
Former Juventus man Roberto Pereyra and Destiny Udogie, who continues to shine and got a lovely assist last time out, will be the two flying wing-backs responsible to provide the width in the final third. Finally, Lazar Samardzic and Tolgay Arslan will be providing the creative push.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Silvestri; Perez, Becao, Bijol; Pereyra, Arslan, Walace, Samardzic, Udogie; Success, Beto
Key Stats
- Juventus have won their last seven Serie A games while keeping a clean sheet in each of them, and they could make it eight on the bounce for the first time since 2018.
- On the other hand, Udinese are without a win in their last nine league matches (D6 L3).
- Juventus have won each of their last six Serie A home meetings against Udinese.
- Arkadiusz Milik has found the net in his last two Serie A matches against Udinese.
- The Friulians have avoided defeat in three of their four Serie A matches against teams that started the matchday in the top five positions this season (W1, D2).
Player to Watch
Arkadiusz Milik
Vlahovic who? Given the ongoing injury crisis at the Allianz Stadium that might see Dusan Vlahovic miss out yet again, the hosts may again have to put their hopes to find the back of the net in the hands of instinctive poacher Milik, who has five Serie A goals to his name this season.
After having no change from his opponents for the better part of an hour against Cremonese, Milik managed to produce a moment of magic when Juventus were in dire need of inspiration. With the Italian authorities running the rule over Juventus’s bloated past transfers, they should definitely look into how the Bianconeri negotiated a mere €7 million option-to-buy for someone as good as Arkadiusz Milik.
❗Juventus’ plan is to activate a €7m buy option for Arkadiusz Milik, confirmed. Talks are ongoing between Marseille and Juventus.
— @romeoagresti pic.twitter.com/IAAnwNg5Or
— Max Statman (@emaxstatman) January 5, 2023
Milik’s progress was hampered by two catastrophic knee injuries. But his price tag remains well below his true talent’s worth, with five goals in 13 games signaling the resurgence of a player who, at 28, may still be a clutch striker despite his recent exile in France owing to diplomatic skirmishes with Napoli.
Who knows, he might as well come back to haunt them by gatecrashing their title party this season. Nevertheless, the Pole would certainly be keen to get on the scoresheet against Udinese, as he looks to keep Vlahovic on the bench even when the Serbian bomber returns to full fitness.
Prediction
Juventus 1-0 Udinese
Massimiliano Allegri’s team have been far from perfect this season, with Paulo Dybala’s departure and injuries to key players, including Angel Di Maria, and Paul Pogba, having a huge impact on the side.
However, their performances have improved lately. And given the Bianconeri’s incredible recent record in the division, it is hard to see them drop points here against a faltering Udinese side that has lost their way after a positive start to the season.
Juventus not only have the best defence in the league. But they have been particularly good at home this season, with Allegri’s side undefeated in league action in Turin. And they will be strong favourites to claim another home win in this match, with Udinese winless in their previous four league away matches. Thus, The Hard Tackle backs the hosts for an eighth consecutive league victory as they continue to surge up the table.
