Juventus host the newly-promoted Empoli on Saturday night looking to claim their first victory of the season after succumbing to a 2-2 draw at Udinese on Matchday 1.
The Bianconeri seemed to have the contest under control when they raced into a 2-0 first-half lead, but a pair of Wojciech Szczesny errors gifted the hosts a route back into the contest. Despite the deflating result, there were plenty of positive signs on Massimiliano Allegri’s return to Serie A.
Empoli, meanwhile, performed admirably in defeat to Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio last weekend. The Serie B champions raced into an early lead, but were swiftly pegged back and eventually fell to a 3-1 defeat. Saturday’s trip to Turin will be a huge test of their credentials.
Here’s our preview of the Bianconeri’s home opener.
Where to watch Juventus vs Empoli
When is it? Saturday 28 August
What time is kick-off? 19:45 (GMT)
Where is it played? Allianz Stadium
TV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK), Paramount+ (US)
Juventus Team News
Medical update on @aaronramsey.
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) August 24, 2021
Juve revealed in the week that Aaron Ramsey sustained a thigh injury in the Udinese draw and will be re-evaluated next week. Reports have suggested the Welshman will be out for three weeks.
Thus, Manuel Locatelli is expected to partner Manuel Locatelli in midfield with Arthur Melo out until October and Weston McKennie on the transfer block. However, Adrien Rabiot will return for Saturday’s fixture to add further depth in the middle of the park.
Summer signing Kaio Jorge is set to miss the next month after picking up a muscle injury in training earlier this week. And with Cristiano Ronaldo a sure bet to miss out after everything that’s transpired over the past week, Alvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala are poised to lead the line once more.
Empoli Team News
Empoli will once again be without Fabiano Parisi after he missed last week’s defeat to Lazio. However, that’s Aurelio Andreazzoli’s only injury concern heading into the contest.
Midfielder Szymon Zurkowski is also in contention to start after impressing off the bench against the Biancocelesti.
Predicted Lineups
Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, De Ligt, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, Locatelli, Bentancur, Chiesa; Dybala, Morata.
Empoli: Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, Romagnoli, Marchizza; Ricci; Zurkowski, Bandinelli; Bajrami; Cutrone, Mancuso.
Juventus Recent Form
Udinese 2-2 Juventus (22/08) – Serie A
Juventus 3-1 Atalanta (14/08) – Friendly
Barcelona 3-0 Juventus (08/08) – Joan Gamper Trophy
Monza 1-2 Juventus (31/07) – Friendly
Juventus 3-1 Cesena (24/07) – Friendly
Empoli Recent Form
Empoli 1-3 Lazio (21/08) – Serie A
Empoli 4-2 Vicenza (15/08) – Coppa Italia
Udinese 1-0 Empoli (07/08) – Friendly
Empoli 9-0 Montecatini (31/07) – Friendly
Empoli 3-0 Pontedera (28/07) – Friendly
Juventus vs Empoli Prediction
Massimiliano Allegri and Juventus will have the bit between their teeth when Empoli come to town after throwing away two points in Udine on Matchday 1.
Allegri’s counter-attacking emphasis was clear to see last time out, with the Bianconeri direct and vertical in attack amid a superb first-half performance. Against Empoli, who impressively dominated the ball against Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio, I think we’ll see a similar transition-heavy approach.
Overall, I think the magic of Dybala combined with Federico Chiesa’s and Juan Cuadrado’s speed on the flanks and Alvaro Morata’s willingness to run in behind will be too much for an Empoli defence that didn’t flatter themselves last weekend.
Prediction: Juventus 4-1 Empoli