Juventus are angling for the win that will confirm their UEFA Champions League qualification as they face an already-relegated Salernitana side.
There are strong rumours linking Massimiliano Allegri with an exit after how the season has panned out, but the Italian tactician could still bow out with silverware. Juventus will be in the Coppa Italia Final next week, but before that, they can confirm their qualification for next season’s Champions League when they host Salernitana on Sunday.
All they need is a win on Sunday over bottom-placed Salernitana, although Juventus have huffed and puffed and managed draws over the last four games. Once seen as an able challenger to Inter Milan for the Serie A title, the dramatic fall from grace in that particular race has raised many questions about their future.
With a win over Salernitana, Juventus will book their place in the premier European competition, as they are still looking over their shoulders with a few teams still angling for their place on the table. The quest for finishing second could still be mildly on, especially if AC Milan continue to drop points in their remaining games.
Salernitana are coming into this clash in Turin to play for pride as they have had a dismal season. Stefano Colantuono’s men looked different from the ones who could put up a concerted fight to survive the relegation ordeal, especially since their defeat to Juventus in January.
They have since dropped plenty of points and had their relegation confirmed at the end of April. They are only playing for pride until the season ends, as life in Serie B will be different from what they have experienced here in the top flight.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Juventus are missing a few key personnel, with Alex Sandro, Kenan Yildiz, and Mattia De Sciglio out of action ahead of the clash on Sunday. Massimiliano Allegri will also miss key defender Danilo for this contest, while Timothy Weah is suspended.
Daniele Rugani should comfortably replace Danilo on the left side of the back three, with Gleison Bremer and Federico Gatti holding on to their spots. Andrea Cambiaso and Filip Kostic are best placed for the wing-back roles, meaning Allegri will make only that one alteration at the back with Danilo.
Manuel Locatelli will continue to sit at the base of this midfield, with Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie on either side of the Italian. Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic will continue to lead the line, with the latter’s goal helping Juventus win in the reverse fixture against Salernitana.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, rabbit, Kostic; Vlahovic, Chiesa
Salernitana
Giulio Maggiore, Grigoris Kastanos, Norbert Gyomber, Jerome Boateng, and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are all ruled out. In addition, Iron Gomis is also ruled out, while there are significant doubts about Boulaye Dia and Domagoj Bradaric’s participation.
Antonio Candreva is also ruled out with an injury, with the sole burden of goalscoring falling on Loum Tchaouna. Salernitana will continue with a back three, with Niccolo Pierozzi, Federico Fazio, and Lorenzo Pirola, who are all set to take charge of the central defence.
Lassana Coulibaly and Toma Basic are pencilled in for the midfield roles, with Andres Sfait and Junior Samba likely to play in the wing-back roles. Tchaouna and Emanuel Vignato are the right choices to play behind striker Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Costil; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pirola; Sambia, Coulibaly, Basic, Sfait; Vignato, Tchaouna; Ikwuemesi
Key Stats
- Juventus have drawn their last four matches in Serie A.
- Juventus scored at least two goals in all of their last six matches against Salernitana.
- A win would secure Champions League qualification for Juventus.
- Salernitana have failed to win their last 17 matches in Serie A.
- Salernitana are already relegated from Serie A.
Player to Watch
Dusan Vlahovic
The striker has many things to prove at Juventus, and the summer window may see a change in the scenario for both the club and the player. The Serb has been prolific this season, but not the standards many have come to expect from him, as the bar has been set high by the likes of Lautaro Martinez.
The striker still has a slight chance to improve his goalscoring numbers with three games left, although there are doubts about whether he can catch Martinez, who has 24. However, a top draw performance against already relegated Salernitana could do his numbers some good and could at least hope to finish very close to the Argentine.
Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Salernitana
Salernitana only have pride to play for in the remaining fixtures of the Serie A season, and while they will play with the handbrakes off, they will find it challenging going against the Turin giants.
Juventus will likely look to break away with a good lead in this game, with the likes of Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic likely to have a good outing to get their numbers up. However, their pragmatic style may continue here, meaning fans may not see goals galore, with Juventus expected to keep a clean sheet in this win.
