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Juventus’ predicted XI vs Hellas Verona: Dusan Vlahovic makes first start!

By James Cormack

J MEDICAL, TURIN, ITALY - 2022/01/28: Juventus FC new signing Dusan Vlahovic gestures as he leaves the J Medical after undergoing medical check to complete his transfer to Juventus FC from ACF Fiorentina. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
J MEDICAL, TURIN, ITALY - 2022/01/28: Juventus FC new signing Dusan Vlahovic gestures as he leaves the J Medical after undergoing medical check to complete his transfer to Juventus FC from ACF Fiorentina. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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Massimiliano Allegri will have a couple of fresh faces to choose from when selecting his starting XI for Sunday night’s Serie A clash against Hellas Verona.

Dusan Vlahovic and Denis Zakaria are both in contention for the Bianconeri after the pair joined the club in a rebuild defining January mercato for the Old Lady. However, Allegri won’t be able to call upon the services of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski as Fabio Paratici and Tottenham came calling

Oh, and Aaron Ramsey isn’t around anymore. Huge blow.

Nevertheless, Juve’s busy winter may force Allegri to adapt in terms of his default ploy. The flexible pragmatist has altered his system multiple times this season and a fresh approach could be in store to ensure the new arrivals and their Argentinian star are appeased.

Thus, here’s the starting XI Allegri could pick for Sunday’s contest with Igor Tudor’s Verona.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

All of Juventus’ senior centre-back options are fit again. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
All of Juventus’ senior centre-back options are fit again. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – Barring an injury, Szczesny will start between the sticks on Sunday. Mattia Perin, meanwhile, has recovered from COVID-19 and should be among the substitutes.

Danilo (RB) – Allegri deployed Danilo as a centre-back on his return to action against Sampdoria last month. Here, he should start at right-back following Juan Cuadrado’s recent ventures with Colombia.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – De Ligt missed Juve’s previous two outings but he’s expected to come back into the fold on Sunday. Not even Daniele Rugani’s stellar January will be enough to displace the dominant Dutchman.

Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – Leonardo Bonucci was absent throughout January but the latest reports suggest he’ll be fit for the weekend’s clash. However, Allegri could opt for his veteran comrade Chiellini, who’s starred in his recent outings. The Italian has established a fine relationship with De Ligt as well.

Mattia De Sciglio (LB) – With Alex Sandro yet to recover from COVID-19, Luca Pellegrini and De Sciglio are Allegri’s primary options for the left-back role. It’s a coin-flip decision, but De Sciglio’s reliability and productivity from the wrong side might sway the Juve boss his way.

Midfielders

Denis Zakaria could make his Juventus debut from the get-go on Sunday. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Denis Zakaria could make his Juventus debut from the get-go on Sunday. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Arthur Melo (CM) – The Brazilian is slowly starting to garner the trust of the boss and after his proposed loan to Arsenal fell through in the winter mercato, Arthur could play an important role down the stretch. He impressed last month.

Denis Zakaria (CM) – Manuel Locatelli’s suspension could thrust new arrival Zakaria into the limelight right away. The Swiss international could play alongside Arthur in a holding midfield position to free up the third midfielder.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – Rabiot is that extra guy in midfield. While the Frenchman is capable of dropping into the pivot and aiding Juve’s build-up, I expect his role on Sunday to be much more aggressive. With a sturdy double pivot in support, he’ll be tasked with joining the Bianconeri’s chief creator between the lines (likely in the left half-space), rotating out wide and serving the front two.

Forwards

There IS a place for Paulo Dybala in the starting XI. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
There IS a place for Paulo Dybala in the starting XI. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Paulo Dybala (AM) – With Allegri reportedly keen to use Alvaro Morata and Vlahovic in tandem, many speculated that there wouldn’t be a place in the starting XI for Dybala. A 4-3-1-2 formation suggests otherwise. In this system, the Argentine will have free rein to wreak havoc from between the lines and with Rabiot pushing up from midfield, the configuration could evolve into a 4-2-2-2. The width has to come from full-back.

Alvaro Morata (ST) – Vlahovic’s arrival may have given Morata a new lease of life in Turin and he’s in for a huge six months after the club opted to hold onto him in January. Allegri could eventually deploy the Spaniard in a unique function that Mario Mandzukic mastered during his time at the club. But, for now, it appears that he’ll play alongside the club’s new superstar.

Dusan Vlahovic (ST) – The excitement is palpable in Bianconeri quarters and it’s all because of this man. Vlahovic is ready to make his first start for the club after joining from Fiorentina in January and there’s not a single Juventus supporter that isn’t thrilled to see him in action. My money’s on him grabbing a debut goal amid his Capocannoniere pursuit.