Juventus Predicted XI against Sampdoria: A must-win game

LW Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo worked hard against Udinese, constantly making clever passes and getting into dangerous positions. But the players around him, such as Alex Sandro and Rodrigo Bentancur, didn’t necessarily help feed him. Ronaldo could stand to be more efficient in goal-scoring areas, but he is still Juve’s danger man for a reason. Sampdoria’s defense will congest the middle of the field to prevent Ronaldo from cutting inside onto his right, but all Ronaldo needs is an inch of space to make the difference for Juventus.

CF Paulo Dybala

Paulo Dybala starting in the middle isn’t the ideal situation for the Bianconeri, but it’s better than leaving him on the bench. The Argentine forward has been Juve’s best player since the restart and should have a goal or assist in him against Sampdoria, provided he gets space to maneuver. Then again, his dribbling is so good that he’ll make his own space

RW Federico Bernardeschi

At this point, Federico Bernardeschi has to be recognized as Juve’s worst starting player. He quite clearly doesn’t belong in the XI, but with Douglas Costa injured, Maurizio Sarri doesn’t really have a choice unless he wants to move Dybala to the right to start Gonzalo Higuain. Bernardeschi’s passing and movement are woeful. He’s never in the right position, he gives up the ball cheaply, and he literally carries zero goal-scoring threat.