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Juventus’ predicted XI vs Udinese: Paulo Dybala starts in 4-3-3

By James Cormack

UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: XXXXX Paulo Dybala of Juventus looks on the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v Juventus at Dacia Arena on August 22, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: XXXXX Paulo Dybala of Juventus looks on the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v Juventus at Dacia Arena on August 22, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Plenty has changed since these two sides met on Matchday 1 of the 2021/22 campaign. On that occasion, Juventus surrendered a two-goal advantage thanks to a calamitous showing from Wojciech Szczesny.

We also saw Cristiano Ronaldo have a last-minute winner disallowed on his final Juventus appearance, while Aaron Ramsey made his only start of the season. On the opposite side, Udinese’s leading Serie A scorer, Beto, played no part as he joined the club on deadline day.

Thus, both sides will look a little different from their previous meeting.

Predicted Juventus XI vs Udinese

For Massimiliano Allegri, he’ll welcome the returns of two key men in defence, while Danilo is close to making his come back after a lengthy injury lay-off. This is the XI we think the manager will pick for Saturday’s Serie A clash against Udinese.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Matthijs de Ligt returns after serving his one-game suspension. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Matthijs de Ligt returns after serving his one-game suspension. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images) /

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – Szczesny has done plenty to restore his reputation since his horror-show in Udine on Matchday 1. The Polish international will return to the XI on Saturday despite Mattia Perin giving a great account of himself in the Supercoppa.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) – The Colombian missed Wednesday’s defeat due to suspension, but he should return to the XI with Mattia De Sciglio playing 120 minutes in the week. Danilo is not yet ready to start.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – Like Cuadrado, De Ligt was suspended for the Supercoppa following his dismissal against AS Roma last Sunday. The Dutchman is a shoo-in for Saturday with Leonardo Bonucci absent once more.

Daniele Rugani (CB) – Giorgio Chiellini produced a vintage display against Inter but Allegri’s already said that he’ll earn a rest on Saturday. That means Rugani will earn his fourth start on the spin!

Luca Pellegrini (LB) – We’re yet to see Pellegrini in 2022 but Allegri hinted that we could see him start on Saturday. The manager was complimentary of Alex Sandro’s display in the Supercoppa despite his fatal error, but the Brazilian should nonetheless drop to the bench for this one.

Midfielders

Rodrigo Bentancur could return to the XI. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Rodrigo Bentancur could return to the XI. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

Manuel Locatelli (CM) – Locatelli fatigued towards the end of normal time in the Supercoppa and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him rested on Saturday. However, with Arthur Melo’s future unclear, Allegri has little choice but the deploy the Italian from the start in this one.

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – Bentancur’s cameo in the week was lively and he should replace the ebullient McKennie in the XI. The American, who’s been one of Juve’s best performers at the start of 2022, deserves a rest after playing every single minute of the Bianconeri’s opening three games of the calendar year.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – The Frenchman did his job in the Supercoppa. He was far from spectacular, but his diligence in the defensive phase was notable. I expect him to retain his spot in the XI and he should see much more of the ball than he did on Wednesday.

Forwards

Paulo Dybala came off the bench in Wednesday’s Supercoppa. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Paulo Dybala came off the bench in Wednesday’s Supercoppa. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Paulo Dybala (RW) – Allegri has to manage Dybala carefully during the second half of the season with Federico Chiesa out. He opted against starting him in the Supercoppa, although he still got plenty of minutes under his belt as the game went to extra-time. La Joya’s expected to return to the XI against Udinese and should the boss go 4-3-3, he’ll drift in off the right flank with Cuadrado overlapping.

Alvaro Morata (ST) – Following his game-changing cameo in the capital last Sunday, Morata notched an assist in the Supercoppa. The Spaniard’s found a groove in his last two outings and he’s a sure bet to lead the line in this one.

Federico Bernardeschi (LW) – Allegri said that he’ll decide between Bernardeschi and Dejan Kulusevski for a spot in Saturday’s XI. The former was bright on Wednesday but he frustrated with his decision-making, while the latter’s influence waned after an impressive opening 45 minutes. We think the boss will opt for the versatile Bernardeschi to play off the left – a position that doesn’t suit Kulusevski.