Juventus Predicted XI against Bologna: Aaron Ramsey is in

Juventus will face Bologna on Monday night in Serie A’s return.

After failing to win the Coppa Italia, losing to Napoli on penalties this past Wednesday, Juventus will be out for a much more convincing display in Serie A’s return. Juve will face an easier opponent than either Milan or Napoli, though Bologna are no pushovers.

Here’s a look at how the Bianconeri could line up on Monday at the Renato Dall’Ara.

GK Wojciech Szczesny

Gianluigi Buffon received the two starts in the Coppa Italia games after the postponement, as he is the cup keeper. The experienced Italian made some big stops in the final despite the loss. That said, it will be exciting to see Wojciech Szczesny back in action. He is Serie A’s top keeper.

LB Mattia De Sciglio

Alex Sandro won’t be available to play on Monday, so Mattia De Sciglio will have to start as the de facto backup left back. He’s really not suited to the position, and his placement will severely impact Juve’s attack, straining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Douglas Costa to create.

CB Leonardo Bonucci

A rock at the heart of the defense, Leonardo Bonucci will be tasked with going toe-to-toe with former Inter man Rodrigo Palacio, who is enjoying a good season with Bologna. Bonucci’s composure and reading of the game will be tested by a talented Bologna attack.

CB Matthijs de Ligt

One of the most important players on the pitch for the Old Lady, Matthijs de Ligt has been impressive during Italian football’s return. De Ligt has taken well to his new environment after an initial adjustment period.

RB Juan Cuadrado

A regular starter for the Bianconeri and one of the team’s best players, Juan Cuadrado will need to keep an eye on the young Musa Barrow, who is becoming a rising star in Serie A. Cuadrado will also have to take on a huge workload in supporting the attack, with De Sciglio set to start opposite of him.

CM Blaise Matuidi

Blaise Matuidi should provide another clean, controlled display in midfield, and his defensive work could help Juve cope with Bologna’s combination play in the attacking third. Bologna love to attack down the right with Ricardo Orsollini, who is the team’s best player and top scorer and assist provider. Matuidi will need to help out a lot against him.

CM Rodrigo Bentancur

Miralem Pjanic is no longer an asset or part of Juve’s long-term future, so Rodrigo Bentancur should start in the middle with Pjanic potentially being benched for Aaron Ramsey. Bentancur isn’t a world-class midfielder, but he is the best Juventus currently has. He will need to show all of his passing range on Monday night.

CM Aaron Ramsey

Potentially back in the starting lineup after an injury, Aaron Ramsey could be a major X-Factor for Juve against Bologna. Ramsey is an athletic box-to-box midfielder who has great goal-scoring instincts and is even capable of scoring absolute wondergoals.

LW Douglas Costa

It will be interesting to see how Maurizio Sarri lines up his front three on Monday, but Douglas Costa will undoubtedly be a starter. He is Juve’s most talented dribbler and best creator, always working hard to find space and unselfishly produce chances for his teammates.

CF Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo may be one of the best players in Serie A, but he certainly didn’t look like it against Milan and Napoli. He was particularly woeful in the Coppa Italia final, failing to show his star quality with a trophy on the line. Ronaldo has rightfully come under fire for his poor displays, but against a weak Bologna defense, you’d bet on him to score at least once.

Next. Paulo Dybala isn't going anywhere. dark

RW Paulo Dybala

The creative Paulo Dybala is always a danger man for opposing teams in Serie A, and he has the easiest assignment with Mitchell Dijks set to start at left back. Dybala will cut inside and create, though Bologna will try to play physically with him, perhaps using Gary Medel. Expect to see Dybala work hard to produce chances for his teammates, particularly Ronaldo.

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