Juventus Predicted XI vs. Torino: Federico Bernardeschi still starts

Juventus will face Torino on Saturday afternoon in one of Europe’s biggest derbies.

Winners of each of their last six Serie A games, Juventus have been in fine form since Serie A’s return. They defeated Bologna 2-0 in their first game back, demolished Lecce 4-0, and then took care of business on Tuesday against Genoa behind goals from each of their star attackers – Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, and Douglas Costa.

An even bigger challenge awaits them against derby rivals Torino, and Juve’s homefield advantage at the Allianz Stadium may not matter without fans. Here is how the Old Lady could line up.

GK Wojciech Szczesny

Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal, as usual. He hasn’t done much wrong since the restart, but he also hasn’t been truly tested either.

LB Danilo

Danilo is perhaps the most important player to watch in the derby, because he’s the shakiest starter in the XI with Alex Sandro still injured. The backup right back is decent enough on the right side, but sometimes he has nervy moments on the left.

CB Leonardo Bonucci

The experience center back will need to be on alert against Torino, who can cause problems in the attacking third when they put the ball in the box. They love stretching the pitch with their wing backs, and they have an ideal Serie A striker in Andrea Belotti.

CB Matthijs de Ligt

However, Juventus have the talent to be able to keep Belotti in check, and Matthijs de Ligt is perhaps the ideal man to stop him.

There are few center backs in Serie A who are as athletic as de Ligt, as he has great physicality and sufficient speed. De Ligt has been covering the game so well in 2020 and has been one of the most in-form players in Serie A since the restart.

RB Juan Cuadrado

Juan Cuadrado was in the discussion as Man of the Match against Genoa, and he’s been excellent, as per usual, for the Bianconeri. The Colombian wing back does so much to support the attack, and he’s also been tirelessly winning the ball in defense. A big game from him is a key to victory for Maurizio Sarri’s men.

CM Blaise Matuidi

Adrien Rabiot hasn’t played poorly recently, but Blaise Matuidi is the ideal starting midfielder on that left side. His work rate and intelligent defending will be necessary in the derby against a physical, relentless Torino side that will look to frustrate Sarri’s vulnerable midfield.

CM Miralem Pjanic

Like Cuadrado, Miralem Pjanic is another key player in the derby for Juve. He’s bounced back from a slow start to Italian football’s return, playing a big role in the seven goals Juve scored between Lecce and Genoa. But it will be much harder for Pjanic to have free reign against a stronger Torino side, both literally and figuratively. Pjanic cannot afford to be pressed into mistakes either.

CM Rodrigo Bentancur

While Rodrigo Bentancur is an important part of the Old Lady’s future, he has been surprisingly poor of late. Bentancur needs to step up, especially since Torino love to attack down the left-hand side of their formation with Cristian Ansaldi.

LW Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is back to his best, having shrugged off a sluggish return to Italian football. He scored an absolutely delightful goal against Genoa and was threatening throughout. He and fellow star forward Paulo Dybala are back in sync, and that could mean trouble for Torino’s defense on Saturday afternoon.

CF Paulo Dybala

Paulo Dybala can’t stop scoring, and his goals tend to be wondergoals. The man’s dribbling against Genoa was untouchable, as he scored yet another fine opener. Expect him to be the matchwinner again vs. Torino, because he is in unplayable form. Dybala is a special talent, no doubt.

dark. Next. A player Juve cannot give up to get Milik

RW Federico Bernardeschi

Last week, Douglas Costa showed why he is unequivocally the better player than Federico Bernardeschi, who has disappointed ever since his big game against Bologna in Serie A’s return. But Costa has injury question marks and is better as an impact sub so that Sarri can call upon the star winger only when he needs him. Bernardeschi needs to step up big-time this weekend, though, especially to help Cuadrado out vs. Ansaldi.

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