Juventus: 5 key players to watch against Fiorentina on Sunday

Juventus will face Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. After losing to Atalanta last weekend in an important clash for a Champions League place, the Bianconeri got one back in the win column this Wednesday night at home against Parma. Alex Sandro was the surprise hero with two goals to the good.

This weekend’s fixture against Fiorentina is against a weaker-than-usual Viola, but the home side did blow out Juventus in their earlier meeting at the Allianz Stadium. That was an embarrassing result for the Bianconeri, and they’ll want to fully bounce back this time.

Here are five key players to watch on both teams this Sunday, based on Sky Sport Italia’s predicted lineups.

Juventus CB Leonardo Bonucci

We have to begin with Leonardo Bonucci, who had an atrocious match against Fiorentina earlier this season and was one of the reasons for the Bianconeri’s loss. Bonucci returned to the starting lineup against Parma this week, so he should be 100 percent against Fiorentina. All eyes will be on Bonucci, as he must go up against one of the most in-form attackers in Serie A.

Fiorentina ST Dusan Vlahovic

And that man is none other than Dusan Vlahovic, who has seven goals and two assists in his last six matches. He’s in fantastic form, and Juventus may even have interest in signing him this summer with their need at striker.

The 21-year-old is one of the most promising talents in the league, and he showed his quality against Juve earlier this season by scoring against them at the Allianz Stadium. Vlahovic has 16 goals and 3 assists this season, and the Bianconeri must be at their best defensively in order to keep him quiet.

Juventus RM Juan Cuadrado

Juan Cuadrado has been one of Juve’s most important players this season and is on the shortlist of their Player of the Season candidates, along with Cristiano Ronaldo, Federico Chiesa, and surprise standout Danilo.

The Colombian added two more assists to his tally this week against Parma and is in the midst of a fantastic month of April. A former Fiorentina standout himself, Cuadrado once had a season with more than 20 goal contributions for the Viola. This season, at 32, Cuadrado has 15 assists – but no goals – for the Old Lady. Let’s see if he can add to his stats on Sunday.

Fiorentina CB Nikola Milenkovic

Nikola Milenkovic is another standout on the Juventus transfer wishlist. The underrated Serie A defender is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, but he is currently shining as a wide center back in Fiorentina’s back three. Milenkovic is the Viola’s leader in tackles per game and pass attempts per game, according to WhoScored.com, and he has chipped in with three goals and an assist this season. Juve must account for him on set pieces, as they’ve been sloppy at times.

Juventus CM Arthur Melo

The Juventus midfield showed improvement with Arthur Melo in the XI against Parma, and Juventini will want to see more growth from the Brazilian this weekend at Fiorentina. Arthur has what it take to be a star in Turin, but fans would like to see more consistency from him.

The former Barcelona man has been good as a ball-carrying midfielder, getting out of tight spaces, but he needs to get better at making progressive, line-breaking passes. He’ll be challenged to do so against Fiorentina, who will be content with playing for counters against the Bianconeri.