Old Juve
Fansided

Juventus’ predicted XI vs Atalanta: 4-3-3 for crucial Serie A clash

By James Cormack

ALLIANZ STADIUM, TURIN, ITALY - 2022/02/10: Paulo Dybala (R) of Juventus FC celebrates with Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus FC after scoring the opening goal during the Coppa Italia football match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo. Juventus FC won 2-1 over US Sassuolo. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
ALLIANZ STADIUM, TURIN, ITALY - 2022/02/10: Paulo Dybala (R) of Juventus FC celebrates with Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus FC after scoring the opening goal during the Coppa Italia football match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo. Juventus FC won 2-1 over US Sassuolo. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Despite Gianluca Pegolo’s best efforts, the unpredictable Neroverdi couldn’t dampen the mood in Turin as Juventus edged Sassuolo 2-1 on Thursday night to advance into the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

Confidence is emanating out of the Bianconeri like lava from an active volcano as they prepare for a crucial Serie A clash in the context of the top-four race against Atalanta on Sunday night.

Expectations are high for Massimiliano Allegri’s side following their busy and brilliant January mercato and the early signs suggest they’ll be capable of meeting the optimistic projections – even if a Scudetto charge is out of their reach.

Predicting Juventus’ XI vs Atalanta

Nevertheless, Allegri is poised to rotate his side from Thursday’s victory as several key faces are set to make starts. Here’s the starting XI we think the Juventus boss will pick for the trip to Bergamo.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Leonardo Bonucci could partner Matthijs de Ligt on Sunday. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Leonardo Bonucci could partner Matthijs de Ligt on Sunday. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) /

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – Mattia Perin impressed once again between the sticks on Thursday but Szczesny’s a sure bet to return to the starting XI on Sunday.

Danilo (RB) – The Brazilian’s return is massive for Juventus and it’s in games like this where his calming presence will be felt. After missing Thursday’s game, the reliable full-back’s expected to return to the XI against La Dea where he’ll likely be tasked with nullifying Jeremie Boga.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – Bonucci’s display against Sassuolo was far from convincing and Daniele Rugani’s stellar January means he’s a viable option for Allegri in this one. However, Bonucci’s rust in the week wasn’t too much of a surprise considering his lengthy absence and I expect the boss to stick with him on Sunday.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – For such a massive game like this, there’s no way De Ligt doesn’t start and play the full 90 minutes.

Mattia De Sciglio (LB) – With Alex Sandro struggling once again in the week and Luca Pellegrini drifting out of the picture, De Sciglio’s the favourite to start at left-back in Bergamo. His best performances have come from the left flank this season.

Midfielders

Manuel Locatelli missed last weekend’s victory over Hellas Verona due to suspension. (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
Manuel Locatelli missed last weekend’s victory over Hellas Verona due to suspension. (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images) /

Manuel Locatelli (CM) – Arthur’s poor showing on Thursday may have cost him a place in the weekend’s line-up. Locatelli was unavailable for the Hellas Verona victory due to suspension but he returned off the bench on Thursday where he played as both an #8 and #6. While Denis Zakaria was expected to be the guy to unlock Locatelli in midfield, it appears that the Italian could yet remain an option for the regista function.

Denis Zakaria (CM) – Allegri was very complimentary of Zakaria in his pre-match press conference, describing Juve’s new arrival as “very intelligent”. Thus, the Swiss midfielder is expected to retain his place in Sunday’s XI.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – Rabiot came off the bench in the week after producing one of his more impressive performances of the campaign against Verona. The role from the left half-space in Allegri’s 4-3-3 suits him and I think he’ll get the nod ahead of Weston McKennie on Sunday. The Frenchman’s ability to track runners will come in handy against the ever-interchanging La Dea.

Forwards

Is a deadly partnership brewing between these two? (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Is a deadly partnership brewing between these two? (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Paulo Dybala (RW) – Allegri has no choice but to start the Argentine on Sunday. La Joya has already forged a deadly dynamic with Dusan Vlahovic and his magic will be required if his fellow forwards are to receive reliable service. Dybala added to his goal tally in the week against Sassuolo.

Dusan Vlahovic (ST) – What a start to life in Turin, eh?! After netting on his Juventus debut, Vlahovic played a major role in the game-winner against Sassuolo to set up a narrative-laden Coppa Italia semi-final tie against his former club. The 22-year-old is firing on all cylinders right now, and there’s no doubting that he’ll be in the XI on Sunday.

Alvaro Morata (LW) – I’m projecting a big game for Morata on Sunday. The Spaniard looked like a man reborn last weekend and he made a notable impact off the bench in the week. Against Atalanta, he’ll function as Juve’s primary outlet against an aggressive Atalanta defensive line.