Juventus: 5 key players to watch against Napoli on Saturday

Juventus defeated Napoli 2-0 in the Supercoppa Italiana, but they will have a tougher task on the road this Saturday in Serie A. The Bianconeri will be without four key players, including all-important midfielder Arthur Melo.

With those key absences in mind, let’s take a look at five players on both teams who could have a big say on what happens this Saturday evening at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Decisions made based on the probable formation from La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Juventus CB Giorgio Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini is in excellent form right now, as he was incredible last weekend in Juve’s 2-0 clean sheet victory over AS Roma. The legendary Juventus defender has been putting his body on the line for the Bianconeri, blocking shots and making crucial tackles.

With Leonardo Bonucci out, the partnership between Matthijs de Ligt and Chiellini will be crucial, especially when coping with the runs of Lorenzo Insigne and Hirving Lozano. Both players have nine goals apiece in Serie A this season and are among the best wide forwards in Europe.

Napoli CB Nikola Maksimovic

Nikola Maksimovic will get the start at center back on Saturday evening for Napoli, as both Kostas Manolas and Kalidou Kouibaly will be out of action. The Azzurri are down to their backups, and between the two of them, Maksimovic is the one with the most experience.

He will be targeted by Juve’s forwards, specifically Cristiano Ronaldo. That will be one of the most interesting battles to watch on Matchday 22.

Juventus CM Rodrigo Bentancur

Rodrigo Bentancur has actually played well in most of his recent matches, but he’ll have to raise his game as part of the starting midfield with the in-form Arthur out of action. Arthur is so good at keeping possession and calmly playing the ball out of the back, whereas Bentancur has given Juventini nervy moments in 2020-2021 with some atrocious passes.

So the key for Bentancur will be keeping the ball moving and avoiding major mistakes. Bentancur has been an asset defensively and works hard, but he needs to start taking care of the ball and playing smarter. Arthur has stepped it up after Andrea Pirlo put him under the pressure cooker, so how will Bentancur respond at Napoli?

Napoli RW Hirving Lozano

Hirving Lozano has replaced Jose Callejon wonderfully on that right-hand side of Napoli’s attack, and he and Lorenzo Insigne are the clear threats for the rebounding Bianconeri defense. So far this season, Lozano has 11 goal contributions, using his athleticism and finishing to devastating effect.

With two goals in his last five Serie A matches, Lozano will be hungry to find the back of the net on Saturday afternoon. The potential battle between Lozano and a resurgent Danilo will be one for Juventini to watch closely.

Juventus FW Cristiano Ronaldo

Of course, we have to close this list of five off with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is Serie A’s leading goal-scorer with 16 and found the back of the net in last weekend’s win over Roma. Ronaldo has a tantalizing matchup on his hands with Kouliably and Manolas out, as the former would have certainly been a big test for the former European Champion.

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The No. 7 has, like Lozano, scored twice in his last five Serie A fixtures, but that’s actually a slump for a player with his expected output in front of goal. His aim on Saturday will be to score a goal at a minimum, and, preferably, two. Ronaldo is ambitious, and he sees an opportunity against Napoli with their playing style and question marks in central defense.

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