Juventus: 5 key players to watch against Sassuolo

Juventus will face Sassuolo on Sunday night in Serie A. Let’s take a look at five key players to watch.

Sassuolo have regressed a little bit, but they are still fifth in the table and a tough opponent for Juventus this weekend. The Bianconeri already won a tough game at mid-week, defeating Milan 3-1 at the San Siro behind a delightful brace from in-form wide man Federico Chiesa.

As of right now, Juve are in fourth and seven points behind Serie A leaders Milan. Every match counts, and Juve are at a point in the calendar where they need to pick up three points in every fixture, including Sunday night vs. Sassuolo.

Here are five key players to watch.

CB Leonardo Bonucci

Leonardo Bonucci looked much better against Milan, calmly defending alongside Matthijs de Ligt and offering his usual class as a passer from deep. For Bonucci, the key is consistency, because there are too many games when he makes critical errors that cost the Bianconeri.

On Sunday, Bonucci will be without de Ligt, as Juventus may have to start Merih Demiral. There’s no doubt that Demiral is a top center back in his own right, though some additional qualities are lost when de Ligt is not there. Bonucci must step up and must prove to Juventini that he is not the weak link at center back.

RB Danilo

I can see Danilo starting at right back again, and he’ll have to be at his best against Jeremie Boga. The exciting Sassuolo winger scored double-digit goals last season, and while his scoring has fallen this season, he will be used even more heavily on Matchday 17 with Domenico Berardi out.

Boga will need to be kept under wraps, and Danilo is the man for the job. He’s been tremendous this season, and when he does play as a right back instead of a center back in a back three, he still acts like a right-sided center back.

CM Arthur Melo

Sassuolo’s best player is definitely center midfielder Manuel Locatelli, who is on Juve’s radar as a possible summer 2021 signing. Locatelli is one of the best midfielders in Serie A and has controlled so many games for Sassuolo. He is a truly well-rounded, cerebral player who can dictate play and help Sassuolo build out of the back against the press.

Arthur Melo is Juve’s star acquisition in midfield from the summer, as Juventus swapped Miralem Pjanic for him. The former Barcelona man has shown flashes of star power, but, for the most part, he’s failed to settle in. Arthur will be important to the Bianconeri on Matchday 17.

RM Federico Chiesa

Federico Chiesa is a capable player on the left, but he is so much better as a right-sided midfielder or wing-back. He and Juan Cuadrado are so damn good that it can be hard to find a way to put them both in a position to succeed in the attack, so that’s a key task for Andrea Pirlo.

Chiesa should run the show again on Sunday. He was great against Udinese last weekend and even better at Milan. His finishing and shooting range are impressive, as is his crossing. But beyond the goals, Juventini are probably most impressed with his effort. He is a willing defender, as Theo Hernandez figured out the hard way.

FW Cristiano Ronaldo

Finally, we touch on Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a more subdued game against Milan, wherein he was doing more of the “dirty work” as a forward, which is not usually the case. Juventus, in general, need his goals. His scoring has bailed out the Bianconeri many times this season, and he was excellent against Udinese last week with a brace and a world-class assist.

Next. 3 players who must step up for Matthijs de Ligt. dark

Ronaldo will go up against a much-improved Sassuolo defense, led by veteran center back Vlad Chiriches. The key for Ronaldo will be stretching Sassuolo’s back line, challenging right back Jeremy Toljan, and using his dribbling skills to get just enough space for an effort at the far post. There will be a golden chance for Ronaldo to take, and it’s up to him to deliver.

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