Juventus’ predicted XI vs Salernitana: Kean to finally start?

After stuttering through November’s gauntlet, Juventus now have five winnable Serie A fixtures to round off the calendar year.

While this disjointed Bianconeri outfit can take nothing for granted, the expectation is that Massimiliano Allegri’s side take maximum points from their next five outings – even with Federico Chiesa missing.

First up for Juve in this run is Salernitana, who currently sit bottom of the Serie A table having won just two of their opening 14 league matches. There are no excuses for Juventus. This is a must-win.

The manager is poised to make some changes to his starting XI from Saturday’s defeat at home to Atalanta. Chiesa and Weston McKennie have been added to an injury list that still includes Mattia De Sciglio, as well as Aaron Ramsey and Danilo.

Here’s the team we think Allegri will pick for Tuesday night’s Serie A bout.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – Juve’s number one is perhaps the only blameless figure in the club’s recent demise. There was little he could do to deny Duvan Zapata’s opener at the weekend as Atalanta rarely tested him in their victory. Szczesny has recovered admirably from a difficult start to the season.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) – Unfortunately, Allegri’s deployment of Cuadrado at right-back isn’t getting the best out of him. While Andrea Pirlo allowed the Colombian to function almost as an auxiliary winger, Allegri has limited his forward ventures. The shackles need to be released in order for the stand-in full-back to thrive.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – It was a relatively quiet outing for Bonucci on Saturday and he’s expected to retain his place in Tuesday’s XI. The Italian will captain the side after finishing 14th in the 2021 Ballon d’Or, a place behind his potential partner…

Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – Allegri said his Juventus side are in need of Chiellini’s experience ahead of Tuesday’s contest, so it’d be a surprise to see him omitted from the starting XI. The Italian hasn’t played since his miserable outing away at Hellas Verona just before Halloween but is in contention to replace Matthijs de Ligt for this one. The Dutchman struggled somewhat in the defeats to Chelsea and Atalanta.

Luca Pellegrini (LB) – As much as the manager admires Alex Sandro, surely it’s time to call it quits. The Brazilian offers very little in every phase and it’s time Luca Pellegrini, who impressed away at Lazio, earned a run in the side.

Midfielders

Dejan Kulusevski (RM) – Kulusevski has failed to take the few chances he’s been given to shine this season, with Allegri not yet trusting the young Swede. However, with the manager’s options limited, he might have to deploy the former Atalanta prodigy from the outset on Tuesday. This would be his first start from the flank in Serie A this term.

Manuel Locatelli (CM) – Arthur Melo has barely seen the field since returning from injury and that trend is set to continue in the week. Locatelli has been one of Juventus’ more impressive performers since the conclusion of the November international break.

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – McKennie’s injury has opened the door for Bentancur once more. The Uruguayan started the season rather well but has lost his way over the past month or so with McKennie impressing in his place. Allegri described the midfielder as “more serene and fresh” in the build-up to Tuesday’s contest and he’s expected to earn a start.

Federico Bernardeschi (LM) – Bernardeschi gave Juve a spark in Chiesa’s absence on Saturday and he certainly deserves a start against Salernitana. Following yet another forgettable Adrien Rabiot display, the Italian, after free-roaming off the right flank on Saturday, could return to the left on Tuesday and perform the hybrid function in Allegri’s 4-4-2. As he proved in the 4-2 victory over Zenit, it’s a role he’s well-suited for.

Forwards

Paulo Dybala (SS) – Things just didn’t click for Dybala on Saturday as he returned to Allegri’s XI following a brief injury lay-off. The Argentine improved in the second period after spending the opening period drifting harmlessly infield from the right flank. He operated off Alvaro Morata after the break and that’s where we should expect to see him function on Tuesday. However, he might have a different strike partner.

Moise Kean (ST) – Allegri praised Morata’s display in the defeat to Atalanta despite being dominated by Juve loanee Merih Demiral. The manager has persisted with the Spaniard, but various Italian media outlets have suggested that Kean will garner a start on Tuesday. Should that be the case, it’ll be the Italian’s first start since mid-October.