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Juventus’ predicted XI vs Fiorentina: 4-4-2 with place in Coppa Italia final on the line

By James Cormack

ALLIANZ STADIUM, TURIN, ITALY - 2022/04/16: Dusan Vlahovic (L) of Juventus FC speaks with Denis Zakaria of Juventus FC during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Bologna FC. The match ended 1-1 tie. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
ALLIANZ STADIUM, TURIN, ITALY - 2022/04/16: Dusan Vlahovic (L) of Juventus FC speaks with Denis Zakaria of Juventus FC during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Bologna FC. The match ended 1-1 tie. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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Juventus’ two January arrivals should start on Wednesday. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Juventus’ two January arrivals should start on Wednesday. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

How will Massimiliano Allegri set his Juventus side up for Wednesday’s all-important Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Fiorentina?

Lorenzo Venuti’s own goal means the Bianconeri head into the contest with a slender advantage as they attempt to make their third Coppa Italia final on the bounce and seventh since 2012. Fiorentina, meanwhile, haven’t reached the final since 2014 and were last victorious in Italy’s premier cup competition in 2001.

However, Vincenzo Italiano will be confident of overturning his side’s deficit in Turin. Fiorentina have gone unbeaten in Serie A since the first leg, while Juventus head into Wednesday’s game having drawn to Bologna on Saturday. The Biancoenri were dire, and Allegri isn’t poised to make wholesale changes from the weekend’s XI.

Juventus’ predicted XI for Coppa Italia semi-final second leg vs Fiorentina

Here’s the team the Juventus manager could opt for against Fiorentina on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Mattia Perin will continue between the sticks in the cup competitions. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Mattia Perin will continue between the sticks in the cup competitions. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

Mattia Perin (GK) – The recently renewed Perin has started for Juventus in the cup competitions this season, performing well. Thus, he deserves to keep his place in the Coppa Italia side on Wednesday.

Danilo (RB) – Danilo was at his versatile best on Saturday as he filled in at the base of midfield amid more injury woes for the Bianconeri. However, I think the Brazilian will return to right-back in this one with Allegri opting for a slightly different midfield combination.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – Bonucci is yet to make a start since returning from injury after the international break, making a pair of substitute appearances instead. I think he’ll make the XI on this occasion, replacing Giorgio Chiellini.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – De Ligt may well make way for Bonucci on Wednesday after he was forced off on Saturday with a stomach issue. However, the Dutchman was spotted in training ahead of the second leg and I suspect he’ll be fit enough to start against La Viola.

Mattia De Sciglio (LB) – Allegri has three options at his disposal but De Sciglio is the favourite to start. The two-footed full-back played the entire contest against Bologna, posing a threat after switching over to the left early on in the second half.

Midfielders

Juan Cuadrado played a key role in Juventus’ first leg victory. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Juan Cuadrado played a key role in Juventus’ first leg victory. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) /

Juan Cuadrado (RM) – Cuadrado started Saturday’s game in an unusual hybrid role before reverting to his typical right-midfield function later on in the contest. The Colombian should perform his usual role in this one; holding the width off his flank. It was his cross that was converted into the Fiorentina net by Venuti to give Juventus the advantage in this tie.

Denis Zakaria (CM) – Zakaria has to start on Wednesday, surely! The Swiss international offers some much-needed dynamism with the ball and his physicality will be imperative against a gritty Viola trio led by Lucas Torreira.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – Rabiot’s astute tracking of runners and recent defensive improvement could be key in this one with Juventus likely to cede control to the technically proficient visitors. The Frenchman has sauntered through Juve’s last two games after dominating the Derby d’Italia.

Alvaro Morata (LM) – With Cuadrado holding the width down the right, Morata will have the licence to join Dusan Vlahovic in attack. The Spaniard should primarily operate from the left half-space, with left-back De Sciglio constantly providing an option on the overlap.

Forwards

Tandem. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Tandem. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

Paulo Dybala (SS) – Dybala was substituted early on Saturday following a sub-par display, but it’d be a huge surprise to see La Joya omitted from the XI for Wednesday’s clash. The Argentine missed the first leg due to injury.

Dusan Vlahovic (ST) – Vlahovic saved a point for Juventus on Saturday but the Serbian international certainly isn’t firing on all cylinders right now. He’s often cut an isolated figure up top, and there’s no doubting that the Fiorentina centre-backs will be pestering their former teammates, as Gleison Bremer, Milan Skriniar, Merih Demiral and Gary Medel all successfully have, on Wednesday.