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Hellas Verona vs Juventus: 3 key Verona players to keep an eye on

By Jyotirmoy Halder

VERONA, ITALY - OCTOBER 24: Giovanni Simeone of Hellas Verona celebrates after scoring the 4-1 goal during the Serie A match between Hellas and SS Lazio at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on October 24, 2021 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
VERONA, ITALY - OCTOBER 24: Giovanni Simeone of Hellas Verona celebrates after scoring the 4-1 goal during the Serie A match between Hellas and SS Lazio at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on October 24, 2021 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /
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In an attempt to rejuvenate their morale after the Sassuolo defeat, Juventus visit the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Saturday. They will be taking on a Hellas Verona side brimming with confidence.

Last week, Igor Tudor’s men beat Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio convincingly by a 4-1 scoreline to add another feather to their cap after the Gialloblu had previously clinched up a narrow yet entertaining 3-2 victory over Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma last month. There are notable signs that suggest Tudor’s Hellas Verona are nothing short of the giant killers the Old Lady would like to avoid at this moment.

Losing the game in the dying minutes against Sassuolo on Wednesday, Juventus are languishing in seventh in Serie A having amassed a meagre 15 points from ten matches. Verona, meanwhile,  are just three points adrift of the Old Lady and currently occupy tenth spot.

Considering that Verona have lost just one game out of their last seven fixtures in Serie A, Juve must be nervous ahead of the weekend. Furthermore, Verona have an unbeaten streak against Juventus in their last three meetings, with Bianconeri conceding two draws and one defeat over the last three encounters between the two Italian sides.

3 key Hellas Verona players to keep an eye on against Juventus on Saturday

Amid the hectic schedule, Igor Tudor doesn’t have many injury concerns, with Juve loanee, Gianluca Frabotta, being the only one to miss the weekend’s mouthwatering clash through an injury. In midweek, Tudor changed almost half of his starting XI to rotate his squad and rest some of the integral players from the first team. Those game-changers should be back for the weekend. Here, we have three key players who could change the game for Verona on their own.

3. Antonín Barák

Antonin Barak, Hellas Verona (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Antonin Barak, Hellas Verona (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /

The goal against Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma, albeit being a left-footed tap-in following a rebound, was the impetus Antonín Barák needed to kick start his 2021/22 season. Following that game, there have been only two matches out of six where Barák has failed to garner a goal contribution.

Since joining Verona from Udinese, Barák has established himself as a favourite among the enthusiasts of the Gialloblu. In his first season on loan at Hellas Verona, the 26-year-old racked up seven goals and three assists in Serie A.

Striking a permanent deal with Verona last summer, the Czech is playing his second campaign in northern Italy. From ten appearances this season so far, Barák (per FBref.com) has accumulated four goals and one assist. While the goal against the Romans came from an open play, the others have been from penalties this season, showcasing how reliable he is from the spot for Verona.

Playing every game for the club in Serie A this term, Barák has also shown his leadership quality while marching down the right-hand channel of Verona’s attack. On paper, he is a right-sided inside forward but could also be seen in the number ten position behind the striker.

If anything, Verona rely heavily upon Barák for creativity. Due to his frame of 6ft 2in, he is also a useful outlet for defending set-pieces. Left-footed, he will be a player to watch out for on Saturday.

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