Juventus will aim to keep up the pressure on Serie A leaders Inter Milan as well as their unbeaten start when they visit a struggling Sassuolo.
Alessio Dionisi would have hoped for a better start to Sassuolo’s campaign, but as it turns out, it’s one of their worst. With a single win from four games so far, Sassuolo are sitting near the relegation zone ahead of the game against Juventus. And with another loss, they might even enter the bottom three.
Only a solitary victory over Hellas Verona to show for it; Sassuolo had already lost to Napoli and Atalanta without scoring a single goal. Their latest defeat came at the hands of Frosinone, which continued their worst run away from home.
Dionisi will hope to change their fortunes with a starring performance against a flying Juventus side. The eventual objective will certainly circle around finishing higher than last season. Still, the manager will hope there is no repeat of last weekend’s performance, where they were sitting comfortably with a two-goal lead and allowed a second-half collapse.
Visiting team Juventus have looked at ease since the start of the season, with their off-field issues slowly taking a back seat. The Paul Pogba doping controversy appeared to have pegged them back. But Massimiliano Allegri has ensured the Frenchman’s situation has not crept into his team’s performances.
Fede 🙌 Dušan 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/ZqEp6uNX3W
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) September 20, 2023
Juventus remain unbeaten in Serie A after four games and put in a statement performance last weekend against Lazio. Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa, who had looked apart last season, combined to put in a masterful display to down Maurizio Sarri’s men.
They remain only two points adrift of league leaders Inter Milan, who have a 100% record this season. The home draw against Bologna was the only instance they have dropped points. But they have a 100% record away from home in two games without conceding a single goal. Now, they visit Sassuolo as overwhelming favourites to take three points, and Allegri will certainly push his players towards taking a win.
Team News & Tactics
Sassuolo
Sassuolo only have two known injury problems in their squad ahead of the Juventus game. Augustin Alvarez remains a long-term absentee, while the club are sweating over the fitness of first-choice keeper Andrea Consigli. Alessio Cragno remains on standby and should start the game at the weekend between the sticks.
Mister Dionisi prima di #SassuoloJuve🎙️
💬 «Con la Juventus servirà coraggio e personalità quando avremo la palla. Dovremo anche essere bravi a limitarli»
📺 https://t.co/FNflugP9jO#ForzaSasol 🖤💚
— U.S. Sassuolo (@SassuoloUS) September 22, 2023
Marcus Pedersen and Mattia Viti should keep their places in the heart of the defence. Jeremy Toljan should start at right-back, while Matias Vina will likely remain in the left-back position to complete the backline.
Daniel Boloca and Matheus Henrique should maintain the double pivot in central midfield. Sassuolo’s main attacking threat, Domenico Berardi, who has only one goal against Juventus in his last 12 appearances, will continue down the right flank.
In the attacking midfield role, Sassuolo will have Nedim Bajrami, while Armand Lauriente will keep his spot on the left wing. Andrea Pinamonti will continue to lead the line for the home side, hoping to trouble the otherwise formidable Juventus backline.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Cragno; Tolijan, Pederson, Viti, Vina; Boloca, Henrique; Berardi, Bejrami, Laurentie; Pinamonti
Juventus
In terms of absentees, Massimiliano Allegri will likely be without Mattia De Sciglio, Alex Sandro and Paul Pogba. The latter faces an uncertain time with the doping controversy and will remain sidelined for an unforeseen timeline. Hans Nicolussi Caviglia also remains a doubt but will not start regardless of his availability.
Occhi puntati verso Sassuolo 👀🔜 pic.twitter.com/VPTfjUmKa3
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) September 21, 2023
Federico Gatti and Danilo should support Gleison Bremer in central defence, with the Italian replacing Sandro in the setup. Owing to decent performances, Massimiliano Allegri is likely to continue with Weston McKennie as his right wing-back, while Filip Kostic will assume a similar role on the left flank.
Manuel Locatelli has established himself as Allegri’s anchor man in central midfield and will have the support of Nicolo Fagioli and Adrien Rabiot in that area. Allegri will continue to place trust in the attacking burden on in-form duo Vlahovic and Chiesa. Both have started the season in solid form and should provide maximum threat in this game.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bremer, Gatti; McKennie, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Vlahovic, Chiesa
Key Stats
- Sassuolo have conceded at least two goals in seven of their last eight matches in Serie A.
- Sassuolo have failed to win nine of their last ten matches in Serie A.
- Juventus are undefeated in their last five matches in Serie A.
- Dusan Vlahovic could become the first Juventus player in 40 years to score five goals in five opening games.
- Federico Chiesa has had the best start to a Serie A campaign, with three goals in four games.
Player to Watch
Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic vs Lazio:
2 goals
100% successful dribbles
100% aerial duels won
80% ground duels won
9.0 match ratingMan of the Match 🌟 pic.twitter.com/35PJXMwVRC
— Ralphie (@powellyowl) September 16, 2023
One player who has defied the odds after an uncertain summer window where he could have been sold is Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian frontman has again proved why it was a wise decision for Juventus to keep him in the side.
Vlahovic has four goals in as many Serie A games and could become the only player in nearly 40 years for Juventus to score five in five. His form has taken the Bianconeri to second on the table. Allegri will have been pleased watching his two attackers, including Chiesa, blossom in a newly found partnership up front.
Prediction
Sassuolo 0-2 Juventus
Sassuolo have struggled for relevance this season, both on the attacking and defensive fronts. Juventus, on the other hand, have played with less pressure, and so far, Massimiliano Allegri’s men have delivered. Ahead of this visit to Sassuolo, the Turn giants are the clear favourites.
The likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa give Juventus the edge in these fixtures, while the likes of Gleison Bremer, Danilo, and Manuel Locatelli have begun the season in supreme form. Hence, Juventus have all the tools to down a struggling Sassuolo side and take all three points back to Turin.
