Juventus will take on Sevilla in Turin in their Europa League semi-final first leg, as both teams aim to get the upper hand before the return leg in Spain.
Juventus will aim to make it to the final of the European competition this season by beating Sevilla, as they are one of the five Italian teams in three different Continental competitions this season. While the Milan Derby will end with one Serie A team into the Champions League final, there is a chance for Fiorentina also to make the grade in the Europa Conference League.
For Juventus, it is an important competition for their season. While they have climbed to second in the Serie A standings, European silverware will boost the club’s confidence and provide something to show for an otherwise controversial season.
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Juventus were recently ousted from the Coppa Italia because Inter Milan made it into the final. Additionally, they have had their 15-point penalty overturned for now; the Turin giants will view the Europa League as the guaranteed way of making it to next season’s Champions League. They will have to overcome Sevilla in this two-legged semifinal, starting with the encounter in Turin.
Sevilla have a mixed-bag record coming into this clash against their Italian opposition. While they have only one victory against Juventus in their four previous meetings, the Spanish side have won each of their last six games against Italian clubs.
Sevilla can also take confidence from their performances against Manchester United in the previous round. After trailing the Red Devils by two goals in the first leg, the Spanish side fought back to finish that game 2-2.
They were able to swarm out Manchester United in the return leg in Seville with a convincing 3-0 victory over Erik ten Hag’s men. Considering their dismal season performances, that victory was a massive shot in the arm for Sevilla, who intends to win yet another Europa League crown while they are at it.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Massimiliano Allegri will have most of his squad available for selection, although there might not be many surprises with his teamsheet for the first leg. The Juventus boss has been consistent with his choice of players but also cautious enough to sporadically use those coming back from long injury layoffs.
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For instance, Allegri has been careful with Paul Pogba and Federico Chiesa. Despite being fit enough to start games, the latter does not make the teamsheet often, which might remain the case on Thursday. Allegri will continue to use the two strikers up front with a midfield of five players.
Mattia De Sciglio was stretched off against Lecce and underwent knee surgery that effectively ruled him out of the season. Juan Cuadrado will replace the Italian on the right wing, while Filip Kostic will take the left flank.
Key defender Gleison Bremer is also absent, with Allegri confirming the same. Veteran Leonardo Bonucci could replace the Brazilian in the centre of the back three, while Danilo and Alex Sandro to take the other two slots. In the attack, Angel Di Maria will start, while Allegri could choose Dusan Vlahovic will start owing to his impressive recent form.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagili, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria, Vlahovic
Sevilla
Sevilla received a triple fitness boost as they included Lucas Ocampos, Fernando and Erik Lamela in their travelling group. The trio had faced issues recently but may go through late assessments before decisions on their inclusions in the matchday party.
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Ocampos might still make it to the starting eleven and play alongside the attacking quartet consisting of Ivan Rakitic, Bryan Gil and Youssef En-Nesyri. Fernando might also make it and start in central midfield alongside Nemanja Gudelj.
Karim Rekik and Loic Bade will likely form the central defensive pairing for the Spanish side, with Marcos Acuna and Jesus Navas being the full-backs. Bono will take his place in the goal, as Sevilla will look to overcome their opponents in Turin and bring an advantage back to Spain.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):ย Bono; Navas, Bade, Rekik, Acuna; Fernando, Gudelj; Ocampos, Rakitic, Gil; En-Nesyri
Key Stats
- Juventus have won their last two Serie A games coming into this Europa League encounter.
- Juventus have not conceded a goal from open play in their last five Europa League games.
- Sevilla have won each of their last six games against Italian sides in the Europa League.
- Sevilla have lost twice and drawn once in their four previous meetings with Juventus.
- Sevilla have won the most Europa League titles in the competition’s history with six.
Player to Watch
Dusan Vlahovic
The Serbian striker has struggled this season, and there has been talk of a move away from Juventus in the summer. While he continues to dream of forging a career in Turin, these big games are the place for him to show his worth and why he remains one of the most formidable strikers on the continent.
Vlahovic also has form on his side. The Serb has brushed aside his fitness issues to score in his last two games to help Juventus climb up to second on the table. He might get selected against Sevilla purely on form and must make the best of the opportunity.
Prediction
Juventus 1-0 Sevilla
The visitors may have the confidence in European football to overcome yet another giant. But Juventus are a mean animal in this competition. The Bianconeri will have plenty on the line heading into this game, as their Champions League fate might depend upon winning this competition.
Moreover, this season, Juventus have been a mean defensive side in this competition. They have not conceded an open-play goal in five games thus far and have proven themselves the master of a 1-0 win. That might be the scoreline at the end of the game in Turin, with the Serie A side likely to take a slender advantage for their return leg in Seville.
