Juventus: 5 players who must shine in the Supercoppa
Juventus will face Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana on Wednesday night, and this will surely be an emotional contest for the reeling Bianconeri.
On Sunday night, Juventus suffered a defining defeat at the San Siro in the Derby d’Italia, falling 2-0 to Inter Milan after goals from Arturo Vidal – of all people – and Nicolo Barella. Despite defeating league leaders Milan at the same venue 3-1, Juve could not replicate the same success against their biggest rivals.
Now, they must show up on Wednesday night in the Supercoppa Italiana against Napoli, who are their special antagonists after the drama surrounding their postponed matchup earlier this season. While this match won’t have any bearing on the Serie A title race, you had better believe this cup tie is important for reasons beyond the trophy.
Here are five players who must shine for the Zebras.
Juventus LB Federico Bernardeschi
Federico Bernardeschi and Gianluca Frabotta are the candidates to start at left back against Napoli, but after how poorly Frabotta has fared in recent matches, Bernardeschi could get the start as Andrea Pirlo moves ahead with this experiment.
One of the most inconsistent players in Serie A, Bernardeschi shows his talent for the Italian national team but rarely shines for Juventus. If he struggles mightily against Napoli, the Bianconeri can kiss the supercup goodbye.
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Juventus FW Dejan Kulusevski
Sweden international Dejan Kulusevski is one of the most promising young players in Serie A, but he still has some work to do before he can become a consistent standout for the Bianconeri.
Nothing exemplifies the growing pains and future superstardom better than his Coppa Italia display against Genoa. Kulusevski was marvelous in the first half, but he was anonymous in the second stanza.
The former Parma and Atalanta man will likely start next to Cristiano Ronaldo this week, and he cannot afford to look out of place.
Juventus CM Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur has become a regular on these lists, but that’s not actually a good thing. The Argentine midfielder has been a disappointment in 2020-2021, even as he plays a crucial role as a starting center midfielder for Pirlo’s side.
He was woeful against Inter Milan and simply cannot afford a repeat performance against Napoli. There is too much at stake this season for Juventus to continue to receive 4/10 performances from a midfielder who is supposed to be a budding star.
Juventus CB Giorgio Chiellini
Giorgio Chiellini impressed Juventini with his heart against Inter Milan, but heart is not enough to stop Romelu Lukaku, of course.
That said, Chiellini looks poised to start next to Leonardo Bonucci again, and he’s been the better of the two experienced Juventus center backs in 2020-2021. He’ll need to make up the difference, too, if Bonucci has another nightmare performance.
Juventus RW Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa seems to explode when he’s on the right-hand side. The Fiorentina loanee is an excellent crosser of the ball and has shown an eye for goal in recent matches, including with his brace at the San Siro in the victory over Milan.
Next. Rabiot, Bentancur won't cut it. dark
Look for him to be one of the difference-makers this Wednesday night. Chiesa and Kulusevski will be the ones to give Cristiano Ronaldo support in the attack, and a well-placed cross from Chiesa to Ronaldo could lead to a goal in this Supercoppa fixture.