Juventus are aiming to kick-start a busy week with a positive result against Empoli, as the unbeaten teams face-off in a crunch encounter
Roberto D’Aversa will have been encouraged by his Empoli side’s unbeaten start to the new season as they get set to take on Juventus this weekend. They have had a decent fight so far in the three completed games, with the manager likely to lean towards the solitary win against AS Roma on Matchday 2.
Empoli might carry around the tag of being one of the unbeaten sides in Serie A this season. But in truth, they have managed a solitary victory, with the other two games ending in a draw. That is still a positive start to life with five points on board from a possible nine.
However, for D’Aversa, the next big step is to improve their wretched home record against Juventus, against whom they have performed decently in the last couple of years. Their overall home form from the end of last season until now will encourage the manager to think positively about getting something against the Bianconeri.
Thiago Motta’s reign in Turin did stutter a bit before the international break, as Juventus dropped their first points of the campaign in the goalless draw against AS Roma at home. Furthermore, the Bianconeri only had two shots on target, which was a contrast to their performances in the opening two games.
Despite those dropped points and a somewhat abject performance attacking-wise, Juventus have had a tremendous start to the new campaign. Motta began his reign with a 3-0 win over Como and repeated the scoreline in their second clash against Hellas Verona.
So far, Juventus are the only team in Serie A yet to concede a goal from their opening three games, and Motta will aim to keep this run going and will want to add another three points to the equation. They resume domestic football with a trip to Empoli, as they aim to end the home side’s unbeaten start to the season.
Team News & Tactics
Empoli
Empoli manager Roberto D’Aversa will continue to serve a touchline ban, meaning the home team will be without their manager in the dugout. The team also misses a few stars ahead of this crucial clash with Juventus, with Szymon Zurkowski, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Samuele Perisan all missing out.
There are further doubts about Giuseppe Pezzella and Jacopo Fazzini, although the duo will undergo a late assessment period. Mattia De Sciglio could make his Empoli debut against former side Juventus and will aim to make an impact in helping his new team keep their unbeaten run going.
D’Aversa will hope that winger Emmanuel Gyasi will continue his impressive start to the season with another good performance against Juventus. Overall, the lineup could have a familiar feel compared to the opening three games of the season so far.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; De Sciglio, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Pezzella; Solbakken, Esposito; Colombo
Juventus
The international break saw a few injured stars return to full training, with Khepren Thuram and Timothy Weah joining the group. Their presence will make Thiago Motta think about his selections for the Empoli game, although he might go with his tested setup with the additions of some key stars.
In terms of injuries, Arkadiusz Milik remains sidelined, and he is joined by Francisco Conceicao, who will miss the next few weeks with a muscular injury.
There could be a full debut for Teun Koopmeiners, who was not called up to the Dutch side for the international break, which allowed Motta to work with him closely. Fellow summer arrival Nicolas Gonzalez is also ready for action and could be an option on the bench.
In defence, Danilo might be ready for his first start of the season and could assume the right-back role, as Motta prefers a back four as opposed to Massimiliano Allegri’s three-man defence. Andrea Cambiaso and Kenan Yildiz should continue in the wide attacking zones, with top scorer Dusan Vlahovic leading the line for Juventus against Empoli.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Bremer, Cabal; Locatelli, Fagioli; Cambiaso, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Key Stats
- Empoli are unbeaten in six home games across all competitions.
- Empoli have lost six of their last seven home games against Juventus.
- Juventus have faced the fewest shots on target (2) throughout Europe’s top five leagues this term.
- Juventus have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches in Serie A
- Juventus have won six of their last seven away matches against Empoli in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Teun Koopmeiners
The Dutch midfielder will probably prepare for a full debut against Empoli, as fans will be eager to see the club’s expensive acquisition in action on Saturday. Koopmeiners does bring plenty to the table, as Thiago Motta tries to create a different element in the final third, and he will be key to that.
With Koopmeiners not called up to the national side for the international break, Motta will have worked extensively with the Dutchman in the training pitch for the past two weeks. With Koopmeiners in the side, alongside the midfield composition of Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Fagioli and Douglas Luiz, Juventus might look the real deal in Serie A and Europe this season.
Prediction
Empoli 0-3 Juventus
Empoli might have this unbeaten run act as motivation, but they will face the real test on Saturday against Thiago Motta’s Juventus. They have so far managed to get results against AS Roma and then Bologna, although the Bianconeri may end their unbeaten run with a thumping victory.
To Juventus’s credit, they are packed with talent in every position on the pitch, while the introductions of summer signings in this game will see them cruise to victory. Armed with top scorer Dusan Vlahovic, Motta will expect another goal-galore away from home, as Juventus are likely to score at least three goals and keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet this season.