Juventus: 5 players who must shine in the Derby d’Italia
Juventus will face Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia on Sunday evening at the San Siro. Who must stand out for the Bianconeri?
So far this season, Juventus are two-for-two in rivalry matchups despite a disappointing record overall. They came from behind to defeat Torino in the Derby Della Mole, and then they dominated Milan at the San Siro 3-1 earlier this month.
This Sunday, Juve will head back to the San Siro for another pivotal matchup against a title contender, as they will face bitter rivals Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia.
Here are five players who must shine for the Zebras.
CB Giorgio Chiellini
Juventus will not have star man Matthijs de Ligt available in central defense, so Andrea Pirlo is going with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci as his center back duo. Merih Demiral would merit the start over Bonucci if we are going by form since the start of 2020, but, as we all know, Bonucci’s spot in the starting XI is essentially bulletproof (obligatory shoutout to La Roux).
Chiellini made a great pass early against Genoa over the top of the defense and generally performed well. He’ll need to be at 100 percent against Inter Milan and star striker Romelu Lukaku, who remains one of the absolute best players in Serie A.
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CB Leonardo Bonucci
Likewise, Leonardo Bonucci himself must be at the top of his game, and there is definitely more pressure on him to elevate his game in the derby. Bonucci has generally avoided disaster so far in 2021, but Juventini have not yet forgotten his disasterclass against Fiorentina, which was probably the single worst display by any center back in the 2020-2021 Serie A campaign.
A big showing against Inter would do well to endear Bonucci with the fans again. Pirlo has made quite the statement by not giving Demiral the minutes he’s earned, and it is thus up to Bonucci to prove his coach right against the striker duo of Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.
LB Gianluca Frabotta
If Gianluca Frabotta starts the big derby matchup, which could be the case if Pirlo uses a back four, he will be circled as a possible weak spot by Antonio Conte. In general, Frabotta has acquitted himself well for the Bianconeri, including against Milan. But Frabotta is not exactly a star player and could get exposed against the speedy Achraf Hakimi, who has been a game-changing signing from Real Madrid.
Hakimi vs. Frabotta could be a battle that defines the match.
CM Rodrigo Bentancur
It seems like Weston McKennie is not yet ready to start due to an injury early in the match against Sassuolo, so Juventus may have to start Rodrigo Bentancur with Adrien Rabiot again instead of starting McKennie, who has become a first-choice player.
Bentancur is frustratingly inconsistent and has been one of Juve’s most disappointing performers to start 2021. He has not taken the necessary step forward in 2020-2021, and he’s another player who must prove himself this Sunday. Inter’s midfield trio is tough, and Bentancur must be secure and progressive with his passing against the steely Marcelo Brozovic.
FW Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo did not score against Genoa in the 3-2, last-gasp Coppa Italia Round of 16 victory at mid-week, but his inclusion into the match was vital to the Bianconeri advancing in the competition. He was the one who made a dribble that drew out the defense, leading to the winning goal.
Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, and Alessandro Bastoni comprise Serie A’s most coheisve back three, and Ronaldo will have to be at his best in his movements off the ball and in his stability on the ball. He may only get a couple of chances to score, so he cannot afford to be as wasteful as he was against Atalanta and Sassuolo, for example.