Juventus kick-start their Coppa Italia campaign with a home clash against Salernitana, as Massimiliano Allegri eyes silverware.
Juventus fans will want to see their ailing club win something to bring joy off the pitch in an otherwise dark season for them when they begin their Coppa Italia campaign against Salernitana. Last season, they were docked points following the FIGC scandal, while this season, the club were rocked by the illegal gambling involving Nicolo Fabioli and the doping ban for Paul Pogba.
Either way, the mood has been grim for large parts. But Massimiliano Allegri has ensured they have much to fight for this season domestically. Juventus were also banned from European competitions, meaning they will only have the domestic double to aim for.
Having beaten AS Roma at home recently with a solitary goal from Adrien Rabiot, Juventus are only two points behind leaders Inter Milan in the Serie A standings. They will aim to kick-start their Coppa Italia campaign, having lost out to Inter Milan in a feisty semi-final last season. The Bianconeri have already won the cup a record 14 times, with Allegri setting sights on a 15th and probably a domestic double this season.
Salernitana will embrace the welcome distraction from their Serie A campaign to play with fresh ideas to succeed in the Coppa Italia. Filippo Inzaghi’s side are stuck at the bottom of the league table and now travel to Turin to play the first of their doubleheader against Juventus.
Inzaghi will want his side to perform like last season on their visit to Turin when Juventus had to dig deep to find a late equaliser. However, they will want to succeed in the Coppa Italia this season, as they will come into this clash with some confidence owing to their slender win against fellow strugglers Hellas Verona.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Massimiliano Allegri will use this cup clash to rest some of his critical stars, especially those with persistent injury troubles. For the latter, Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic will have some merit to miss this Salernitana clash.
The manager will also make drastic changes to his central defensive pairing, overhauling the entire setup at the back. Midfield could also see changes, although Allegri could keep Manuel Locatelli to manage the central areas.
At the back, Dean Huijsen, Daniele Rugani and Federico Gatti could start in that three-man unit. Locatelli could have Fabio Miretti and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia on either side, while Timothy Weah and Andre Cambiaso will help provide the width.
Kenan Yildiz could make another start in the forward role and have the experienced Arkadiusz Milik by his side to lead the line for Juventus.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Perin; Rugani, Huijsen, Gatti; Weah, Miretti, Locatelli, Nicolussi Caviglia, Cambiaso; Yildiz, Milik
Salernitana
Filippo Inzaghi does have a few problems to contend with ahead of the trip to Turin. Stat striker Boulaye Dia remains unavailable despite only returning to the side after a prolonged absence. Salernitana are also without Lorenzo Pirola with a thigh problem, while Juventus loanee Grigoris Kastanos remains out with a knee issue.
They will also miss another regular, Lassana Coulibaly after he joined up with his Mali teammates for the AFCON. Inzaghi will have Guillermo Ochoa back in action, but the experienced Mexican goalkeeper will likely take place on the visitor’s bench.
Inzaghi recently re-integrated striker Simy, who also started against Hellas Verona, and he could make an appearance against Juventus. The chances of Chukwu Ikwuemesi getting the nod to lead the line are huge for now.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Costil; Sambia, Lovato, Gyomber, Bradaric; Bohinen, Legowski; Botheim, Martegani, Tchaouna; Ikwuemesi
Key Stats
- Juventus have won 12 games in 2023 with a 1-0 margin.
- Juventus have not conceded only seven goals in their last 14 home matches, with no team scoring more than once.
- Juventus have won the Coppa Italia a record 14 times, with their last win coming in 2022.
- Salernitana last won an away game in January 2023.
- Salernitana have six defeats and two draws from their eight games on the road this season.
Player to Watch
Kenan Yildiz
Yildiz recently opened his Serie A account with a strike against Salernitana and will look forward to more opportunities under Massimiliano Allegri. The young talent has already begun attracting much interest elsewhere, most notably in the Premier League.
However, with the likelihood of the striker starting for Juventus against Salernitana relatively high, he has a big chance to stake a claim in that forward line. The potential rests with Vlahovic and Chiesa could also play into his fortune, but the young forward must impress, potentially with a goal in this cup clash.
Prediction
Juventus 3-1 Salernitana
Salernitana are struggling in the league. But Filippo Inzaghi might take this cup clash as an opportunity to bring about new ideas from his players. Yet, the quality of the opposition will play a significant role in getting a good performance, as Massimiliano Allegri’s men are clear favourites to dominate and take the win.
Amid expectations that Allegri will heavily rotate his squad, the chances of Salernitana bearing the Bianconeri are still slim. With a different defensive setup, Inzaghi’s men could still find the back of the net in Turin. But Allegri will not allow more, as the manager will target a good win before heading the opposite way for the second leg.