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Juventus’ predicted XI vs Empoli: 4-4-2 as Locatelli makes first start

By James Cormack

UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Massimiliano Allegri head coach of Juventus and Juan Quadrado of Juventus during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v Juventus at Dacia Arena on August 22, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Massimiliano Allegri head coach of Juventus and Juan Quadrado of Juventus during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v Juventus at Dacia Arena on August 22, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /
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Juventus play a game of football on Saturday night, by the way. It’d be quite easy to forget with all the ongoing Cristiano Ronaldo shenanigans.

Empoli are coming to town on Matchday 2, with both sides chasing their first win of the season. Juventus, of course, succumbed to a deflating 2-2 draw with Udinese, while last season’s Serie B champions were beaten 3-1 by Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio on Matchday 1.

Massimiliano Allegri sprung a surprise with his team selection last weekend, opting for the most traditional of 4-4-2’s after instilling a 4-3-3 throughout pre-season. Will the Juventus boss spring another surprise, or will he stick with the system that brought relative success in Udine?

Here’s our prediction.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

The pressure is mounting. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The pressure is mounting. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – The Poland international is under huge – I can’t emphasise that word enough – pressure following his disasterclass last weekend that cost Juventus all three points. A more than competent alternative in Mattia Perrin is waiting in the wings and Allegri will be quick to thrust the Italian into the starting role should Szczesny’s woes perpetuate. For now, though, he remains the number one.

Danilo (RB) – The Brazilian was typically steady against Udinese as he performed a throwback full-back function. He’ll certainly retain his place in Allegri’s XI.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – The Dutchman was one of the Bianconeri’s star performers last weekend as he dealt with the threat of Ignacio Pussetto with consummate ease. De Ligt will be a mainstay in the XI if he’s fit.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – Bonucci looked stout last weekend as well. Allegri may look to rotate the former skipper with Giorgio Chiellini throughout the season but I suspect he’ll stick with Bonucci for the time being.

Alex Sandro (LB) – Like Danilo, Alex Sandro did his job on Matchday 1. It was a quiet outing for the Brazilian, but he remains steady and reliable. It’d be a surprise to see either Mattia De Sciglio or Luca Pellegrini usurp Sandro for Saturday’s clash.

Midfielders

Manuel Locatelli’s in line to make his first Juventus start this Saturday. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)
Manuel Locatelli’s in line to make his first Juventus start this Saturday. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images) /

Juan Cuadrado (RM) – The Colombian thrived higher up the field last weekend after spending much of the past two seasons at right-back. His strike was superbly taken and he seems to be playing with supreme confidence right now. Cuadrado and his speed could be decisive on Saturday.

Manuel Locatelli (CM) – Here he is. Aaron Ramsey’s thigh injury has only hastened the inevitable. After making his Juventus debut as a late substitute last weekend, Locatelli is in line to make his first start on Saturday. Expect the elegant Italian to perform a similar role to the Welshman in the pivot. Adrien Rabiot is also in contention.

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – The Uruguayan started brilliantly last weekend and it certainly looks like Allegri’s return has given him a new lease of life. Against Udinese, Bentancur was a live wire in and out of possession. The rejuvenated midfielder is set to embark on a bounce-back season, and the tireless 24-year-old will be the major beneficiary of Locatelli’s introduction into the pivot. Juve’s midfield looks serious again!

Federico Chiesa (LM) – There was some confusion over Federico Chiesa on Matchday 1. Some didn’t think he was a part of Allegri’s squad at all so it came as a bit of surprise when he entered proceedings midway through the second half. Nevertheless, last season’s hero is fit and ready to go. Expect him to replace Federico Bernardeschi in the XI and have notable joy in transition against this unathletic Empoli defence.

Forwards

Paulo Dybala was Juve’s star last weekend. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Paulo Dybala was Juve’s star last weekend. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /

Paulo Dybala (CF) – The protagonist. Dybala’s first-half performance in Udine was nothing short of mesmeric. A player seemingly making up for lost time after missing almost half of 2020/21. La Joya notched a goal and an assist during his opening 45-minute masterclass in what’s poised to be a special season in Ronaldo’s absence. He’s Juventus’ main man.

Alvaro Morata (ST) – Ronaldo’s imminent exit means there’s only one man who can partner Dybala with Kaio Jorge out injured. The Spaniard wasn’t at his best last weekend but provides the Bianconeri with invaluable runs in behind and a dogged determination out of possession. Morata will be hoping to get his season underway against Empoli.