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Juventus: Federico Chiesa set to be available for AC Milan clash

By James Cormack

REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 07: Federico Chiesa of Italy looks on during a training session at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on September 07, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 07: Federico Chiesa of Italy looks on during a training session at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on September 07, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) /
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Juventus have been handed a welcome boost ahead of their huge Serie A clash with AC Milan on Sunday. Massimiliano Allegri is set to welcome back Federico Chiesa to his matchday squad.

The Azzurri hero suffered discomfort in his hamstring during the September international break and although tests showed that he avoided major injury, Chiesa’s missed Juventus’ last two fixtures as a precaution. His absence was particularly felt in Naples as the Bianconeri succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Napoli.

The Italian’s importance to Juventus is untold. The 23-year-old notched 16 goal contributions in his debut season at the club, with his stock rising significantly following his stellar Euro 2020 campaign with the successful Azzurri side.

His 2021/22 season, however, is yet to ignite for various reasons, including his recent injury woe.

Chiesa will be available for AC Milan

A star was born at the San Siro. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
A star was born at the San Siro. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images) /

It was the away fixture against the Rossoneri in January that kick-started Chiesa’s incredible 2021. His wonderfully-taken brace helped Andrea Pirlo’s Bianconeri to a 3-1 victory over the then table-toppers.

The 23-year-old will be chomping at the bit to return to the field, and Massimiliano Allegri will likely call upon him.

Various media outlets have reported that Chiesa will be available for Sunday night’s fixture, including Sky Sport Italia. The Italy international trained with the senior squad on Thursday along with Federico Bernardeschi, who didn’t travel to Sweden in the week due to a knee issue.

Will he start?

Federico Chiesa has returned to full training at Continassa. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Federico Chiesa has returned to full training at Continassa. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images) /

Juve’s success in Sweden may convince Allegri to retain the same starting XI for Milan, thus leaving Chiesa on the bench.

Il Bianconero, however, reports that Chiesa is making good progress at Continassa and is edging closer to a starting berth on Sunday. Should he start, Allegri could deploy him upfront with Paulo Dybala in the manager’s favoured 4-4-2.

Giovanni Albanese writing for Gazzetta dello Sport speculates that utilising Chiesa as a striker is certainly an option for the Juventus boss. Albanese adds that Juve’s 4-4-2 structure out of possession will morph into a 3-5-2 with the ball, with Alex Sandro advancing from left-back, Adrien Rabiot drifting in from the left flank, and Juan Cuadrado holding the width down the right – as we saw against Malmo.

Chiesa’s potential inclusion as a striker would be incredibly harsh on Alvaro Morata, who’d likely be dropped. The Spaniard has enjoyed a fine start to the season, scoring twice. His relentlessness out of possession combined with his flexibility when Juventus have the ball – he can penetrate in behind and drop deeper to combine – are invaluable attributes.

We’d love to see Chiesa return to the wing should Allegri opt to deploy his ever-blossoming superstar against the Rossoneri.

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