Juventus: 3 X-Factors to watch against Sampdoria

Juventus will face Sampdoria on Sunday, Sept. 20 in the 2020-2021 Serie A season opener. Here are three players who could swing the game.

The Bianconeri haven’t completely shaken up their team yet, as Juventus are still preparing a couple of more purchases and sales in the 2020 summer transfer market. But they have already brought in two midfielders in Weston McKennie and Arthur Melo with a striker on the way soon.

Juventus will most likely debut Arthur in the starting lineup in the Sept. 20 opener against Sampdoria, using him in midfield. Tuttosport has predicted a 3-5-2 for new manager Andrea Pirlo, and that looks like an ideal setup for the club, especially with Federico Bernardeschi out.

Here are three players who could be X-Factors for Juve on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Juventus LB Alex Sandro

Left back Alex Sandro is a great defensive player and is normally consistent, but he showed real cracks to his game on both ends of the pitch late in the 2019-2020 season. Sandro has serious problems with supporting the attack, which is why Juve have eyes on Robin Gosens as a possible left wing back.

If Juventus play a 3-5-2 formation, Alex Sandro must step up to the plate with more consistent deliveries for the forwards and much better ball-carrying. He’s going to have to rely on his cleverness and technique to get the job done.

Juventus CM Arthur Melo

Arthur Melo will make his Juventus debut against Sampdoria next Sunday with high expectations. He is a necessary player to Juve’s success this season, because he will be the main spark in midfield when it comes to carrying the ball into the opposition’s half and starting attacks. How he and Adrien Rabiot work together will be vital.

Last season, per WhoScored.com, Arthur averaged at least 1.5 dribbles per game in the Champions League and La Liga for Barcelona, scoring three goals with three assists in Spain’s top flight in his second season with the team.

He’s growing as a player, but Barcelona didn’t get the most out of him either. In his final season at Gremio, Arthur averaged more than two interceptions per game and 1.4 key passes per game. Arthur can be Juve’s difference-maker immediately.

Juventus FW Paulo Dybala

In a 3-5-2, Juventus would play Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala together up top. Although there have been some issues with getting on the same page, Ronaldo and Dybala became an in-tune connection by the end of the season, with the pair unselfishly squaring up passes for each other.

Dybala won Serie A’s MVP in 2019-2020 despite scoring fewer goals than Ronaldo, and he deserved the honors. La Joya is Juve’s main creative influence and offers the club so much with his dribbling ability, pressing, and chance creation. He should have a big say on what happens between Juventus and Sampdoria on Sunday, Sept. 20 at the Allianz Stadium.