Juventus will hope to close the gap on the top three when they take on Hellas Verona on Monday.
Juventus will look to bounce back from their midweek cup disappointment when they welcome Hellas Verona to the Allianz Stadium on Monday. Following a bitter Coppa Italia quarter-final exit, the Bianconeri must now shift their entire focus to securing a top-four finish in Serie A, while their visitors arrive with the sole objective of escaping relegation.
Despite dominating possession against an out-of-form Empoli side in the Coppa Italia, Juventus failed to take control of the game and were eventually eliminated in a penalty shootout. Khephren Thuram salvaged a draw in regulation time with a stunning strike, but misses from Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz in the shootout condemned them to a 5-3 defeat. That loss means Juve’s chances of lifting silverware this season are now officially over.
However, on the league front, they remain in strong contention for a Champions League return, thanks to an impressive run of four consecutive Serie A victories in February. Last time out in the league, Vlahovic made an immediate impact in his first start of 2025, scoring early to secure a crucial away win against Cagliari. But their midweek setback has left their morale at a low point, and Thiago Motta’s future remains a topic of intense speculation.
Despite their struggles, Juventus have history firmly on their side heading into this fixture. They have never lost a Serie A match at home to Verona, winning 28 of their 33 previous encounters in Turin. The visitors have also suffered in recent meetings, losing five of their last six clashes with Juve while failing to score in all but one of those games.
That said, Verona will take confidence from their most recent league outing — a dramatic 1-0 win over Fiorentina courtesy of a stoppage-time goal from Antoine Bernede. It was only their second goal in seven matches, but it gave their survival bid a significant boost. While the Gialloblu have struggled for consistency, they have remarkably won three of their last six away matches — matching their total victories from the previous 25 road games.
A victory for Juventus would strengthen their grip on a top-four finish, while Verona will aim to defy the odds and record back-to-back league wins for the first time in almost a year. Given the contrasting ambitions of both teams, this encounter promises to be a crucial one for their respective campaigns. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Juventus continue to struggle with defensive absences, as young full-back Nicolo Savona and Chelsea loanee Renato Veiga have recently joined a growing list of sidelined players. The Bianconeri are already without Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal, both of whom are ruled out for the rest of the season, while Pierre Kalulu remains unavailable.
Given the lack of options at the back, Thiago Motta is expected to deploy Federico Gatti alongside Lloyd Kelly in central defense. In midfield, Douglas Luiz is also unavailable after suffering a flexor injury shortly after returning from his latest layoff. His absence reduces the manager’s options in the center of the park, with Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram expected to anchor the midfield.
The attacking setup could see some adjustments, particularly regarding the strike partnership. It remains uncertain whether both Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani will retain their places in the starting XI, or if one will be rested. Vlahovic, in particular, has a strong record against Verona, having netted six goals against them in Serie A, including a brace in Juventus’ 3-0 win at Stadio Bentegodi earlier this season.
Michele Di Gregorio is expected to start in goal, providing stability between the posts. Timothy Weah and Andrea Cambiaso are likely to be deployed as full-backs, with Federico Gatti and Lloyd Kelly forming the central defensive duo.
In midfield, Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli will be tasked with controlling possession and breaking down Verona’s attacks. Ahead of them, a trio of attackers featuring Francisco Conceicao on the right, Weston McKennie in a central playmaker role, and Kenan Yildiz on the left will provide the creative spark.
Leading the line, Randal Kolo Muani is expected to get the nod, though Dusan Vlahovic remains a strong alternative, particularly given his history of success against Verona.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Weah, Gatti, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Kolo Muani
Hellas Verona
Hellas Verona head into this clash with several key players sidelined due to injury. Midfielders Suat Serdar and Abdou Harroui remain unavailable, while defender Martin Frese is also ruled out. The biggest blow for Verona is the absence of their top scorer Casper Tengstedt, who will miss out due to injury, leaving the visitors with limited attacking options.
On a more positive note, Domagoj Bradaric returns from suspension and is expected to reclaim his position on the left flank. His inclusion could see long-serving winger Darko Lazovic drop to the bench. Meanwhile, Antoine Bernede, who secured Verona’s crucial win over Fiorentina with a stoppage-time goal, will be pushing for a starting role in midfield.
In attack, Tomas Suslov is expected to provide support for Amin Sarr, who will likely lead the line as Verona look to capitalise on any defensive frailties Juventus may show. Lorenzo Montipo is set to continue as the starting goalkeeper, marshalling a three-man defensive unit consisting of Pawel Dawidowicz, Diego Coppola, and Nicolas Valentini.
In midfield, Jackson Tchatchoua and the returning Domagoj Bradaric are expected to operate as wing-backs, providing width and defensive cover. In the center, Cheikh Niasse, Ondrej Duda, and Antoine Bernede will look to maintain possession and create openings going forward.
Up front, Tomas Suslov will operate as a second striker or attacking playmaker, tasked with linking up with Amin Sarr, who will lead the line in Tengstedt’s absence.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Montipo; Dawidowicz, Coppola, Valentini; Tchatchoua, Niasse, Bernede, Duda, Bradaric; Suslov, Sarr
Key Stats
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Juventus have won five of their last six Serie A matches against Hellas Verona (D1), keeping five clean sheets in that period. This marks a significant turnaround, as they had failed to win any of the four meetings prior to this run (D2 L2).
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Hellas Verona are the team against whom Juventus have played the most home games without losing in Serie A history. The Bianconeri have won 28 and drawn five of their 33 previous meetings in Turin.
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Juventus have won four consecutive Serie A matches for the first time since December 2023 and January 2024 (five in a row at that time). They ended February 2025 with a perfect 4/4 record in the league, marking their first such feat since February 2023.
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Juventus have won each of their first three league games at the Allianz Stadium in 2025. A win against Verona would mark the first time they have won their first four home matches in a single calendar year since 2021 (7/7 in that case).
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After their victory against Fiorentina in their most recent outing, Hellas Verona could win two Serie A matches in a row for the first time since March 2024, when they defeated Sassuolo and Lecce consecutively.
Player to Watch
Randal Kolo Muani
Juventus will look to Randal Kolo Muani to provide the attacking impetus against Hellas Verona. The French striker has been growing in influence under Thiago Motta, using his pace, movement, and finishing ability to unsettle opposing defenses.
With Dusan Vlahovic boasting a strong scoring record against Verona, Kolo Muani may find himself with more space to operate, as defenders focus on stopping the Serbian forward. His ability to link up play, press high, and create chances could prove decisive against a Verona side that has struggled against top opposition.
While still settling into his role in Turin, Kolo Muani’s dribbling ability and versatility make him a key attacking threat for the Bianconeri. His performance in this game could play a crucial role in Juventus maintaining their strong start to 2025 and securing another vital three points in their push for a top-four finish.
Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Hellas Verona
Juventus may be reeling from their Coppa Italia disappointment, but their strong Serie A form and impeccable home record against Verona make them firm favorites for this clash. Despite their inconsistencies, the Bianconeri have been defensively solid in the league, and with Dusan Vlahovic rediscovering his scoring touch, they should have enough firepower to break down a Verona side that struggles in front of goal.
Verona’s recent victory over Fiorentina was a morale booster, but their lack of attacking threat — having scored just three goals in their last eight league matches — will be a major concern against a well-organized Juventus defense. The visitors have also historically struggled in Turin, failing to find the net in their last three visits to the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus are likely to control possession and patiently break down Verona’s defensive setup. Expect them to find a breakthrough in the first half before sealing the victory with a second goal after the break. Another clean sheet should be on the cards for Thiago Motta’s men as they continue their push for a Champions League return.
