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Juventus’ predicted XI vs Sampdoria: Finally, some youth for Coppa Italia clash!

By James Cormack

TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 27: Alvaro Morata of Juventus is apaluded by Massimiliano Allegri Head coach of Juventus as he stares disappointedly to the fans amidst the whistles of certain sectors of the crowd as he is susbtituted for Kaio Jorge during the Serie A match between Juventus and Atalanta BC at Allianz Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 27: Alvaro Morata of Juventus is apaluded by Massimiliano Allegri Head coach of Juventus as he stares disappointedly to the fans amidst the whistles of certain sectors of the crowd as he is susbtituted for Kaio Jorge during the Serie A match between Juventus and Atalanta BC at Allianz Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /
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Massimiliano Allegri will be watching from the stands as Juventus take on Sampdoria in the last 16 of the 2021/22 Coppa Italia on Tuesday night.

Allegri, who’s serving a suspension that dates back from his first stint in charge of the club, will hand over his touchline duties to assistant Marco Landucci for the second time in two weeks. Last time around, Landucci oversaw Juventus’ improbable second-half comeback against AS Roma with the boss up in the Olimpico stands.

Despite his touchline absence, Allegri will still be picking Tuesday’s team as Sampdoria, who sacked Roberto D’Aversa on Monday, come to town to take on the competition’s holders.

Juventus’ predicted XI vs Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia round of 16

Youth is expected to be present in the XI with the manager rotating heavily from Saturday’s 2-0 win over Udinese. Allegri also has Sunday’s Serie A clash away at AC Milan to consider.

Here’s the team the Juve boss could pick for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia tie against Sampdoria.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Koni De Winter is projected to start at centre-back for Juventus against Sampdoria. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Koni De Winter is projected to start at centre-back for Juventus against Sampdoria. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Mattia Perin (GK) – Perin has proved to be a stellar backup option this term and after impressing in the Supercoppa, Allegri’s expected to give the Italian more game time in the Coppa Italia as Wojciech Szczesny monopolies the minutes in Serie A.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) – Cuadrado played the entirety of the win over Udinese and although Mattia De Sciglio is an alternative option, the Colombian may be expected to skipper the side on Tuesday. His experience will be imperative in what could be a fairly inexperienced defence.

Koni De Winter (CB) – De Winter has made just two senior appearances this term, with both of those coming from right-back. However, he’s a centre-back by trade and the reliable Romeo Agresti reports that we could see the Belgian line up in central defence on Tuesday. Allegri’s options are scarce with Matthijs de Ligt suspended.

Daniele Rugani (CB) – Barring the odd nervy moment, Rugani has been an undisputed success as Juve’s fourth-choice centre-half so far this season. After a quiet first half to 2021/22, his services have been frequently called upon at the start of 2022. The Italian’s projected to start his fifth game on the bounce on Tuesday where he’ll be expected to help De Winter through the contest. Let’s see how he fares with greater responsibility thrust upon him.

Luca Pellegrini (LB) – Pellegrini was rusty on his return to action on Saturday, but Allegri’s set to give him another start on Tuesday. Agresti understands the Italian will be picked ahead of Alex Sandro, which may indicate that the Brazilian will be used on Sunday against Milan.

Midfielders

Dejan Kulusevski will have another brilliant chance to prove his worth. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Dejan Kulusevski will have another brilliant chance to prove his worth. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Dejan Kulusevski (RM) – Kulusevski is a confirmed starter by Agresti and this is yet another huge chance for the Swede to assert himself. He wasn’t aided by his touchline function on Saturday so, hopefully, we see Kulu frequently drift infield with Cuadrado reliably overlapping in this one. The 21-year-old needs a productive outing.

Arthur Melo (CM) – After a booking compromised an otherwise fine display against Udinese, Arthur should start his second game on the spin with Allegri keen to preserve Manuel Locatelli for Milan. The Brazilian has been linked with a loan move to Arsenal this month but that hasn’t deterred the Juve boss from utilising the metronomic midfielder.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – Rabiot was a late substitute on Saturday which should see him start on Tuesday. The Frenchman has previously excelled in this competition, with his best performance in Bianconeri colours arguably coming against SPAL in the Coppa Italia round of 16 last season.

Federico Bernardeschi (LM) – With Moise Kean suspended and Federico Chiesa out indefinitely, Allegri’s options are limited on the left flank. Bernardeschi is the best at the manager’s disposal, however. The Italian could perform the hybrid function with Pellegrini’s forward forays facilitated by Arthur dropping between the centre-backs.

Forwards

Kaio Jorge could make his first Juventus start on Tuesday. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Kaio Jorge could make his first Juventus start on Tuesday. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Kaio Jorge (ST) – Jorge has been limited to barely 100 minutes of Serie A action since joining from Santos in the summer. While the Brazilian is certainly one for the future, it’s surprising that he hasn’t garnered more chances in the first team considering the indifferent form of both Alvaro Morata and Moise Kean. However, Jorge is expected to make his first Juventus start on Tuesday. Let’s see what he can do!

Alvaro Morata (ST) – Morata is another who’s been confirmed as a starter by Agresti. This is a little surprising considering the upcoming clash with Milan, but he didn’t start on Saturday. Hopefully, the dynamic with Jorge is more successful than it was the last time these two partnered with each other up top (vs Venezia).