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Juventus’ predicted XI vs Venezia: De Ligt returns as Allegri retains 4-4-2

By James Cormack

TURIN, ITALY - APRIL 20: The back of Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus FC is shown during the Coppa Italia Semi Final 2nd Leg match between Juventus FC v ACF Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on April 20, 2022 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - APRIL 20: The back of Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus FC is shown during the Coppa Italia Semi Final 2nd Leg match between Juventus FC v ACF Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on April 20, 2022 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) /
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Matthijs de Ligt is set to return to the Juventus starting XI on Sunday. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Matthijs de Ligt is set to return to the Juventus starting XI on Sunday. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) /

Juventus must be wary of the new manager bounce phenomenon on Sunday as they host Venezia in Serie A.

Venezia’s eighth league defeat on the spin proved to be the final straw for manager Paolo Zanetti as he was dismissed in the week with Andrea Soncin promoted from within. Soncin will take charge of his first game this weekend with the Venetians in dire need of a result.

Their prolonged demise has seen them slump to the bottom of Serie A, and they’re now six points adrift of safety with just four games remaining.

Juve, meanwhile, have third-placed Napoli in their sights after Moise Kean’s late winner at Sassuolo on Monday night all but secured a Champions League berth for the Bianconeri next season.

Max Allegri, though, will have to mitigate a lengthy injury list once more for Sunday’s lunchtime fixture.

Juventus’ predicted XI vs Venezia

Here’s our predicted XI for Juventus’ upcoming Serie A clash against Venezia.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Wojciech Szczesny produced several big saves against Sassuolo. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Wojciech Szczesny produced several big saves against Sassuolo. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) /

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – Szczesny made multiple big saves against Sassuolo and will continue between the sticks on Sunday.

Danilo (RB) – The Brazilian has played in midfield in Juve’s last three outings but the absences of Mattia De Sciglio and Juan Cuadrado should force Danilo to return to right-back.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – De Ligt missed the win at the Mapei but is good to go this weekend. He’ll replace Daniele Rugani in the XI.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – A toss-up between the two veterans but I think Bonucci will retain his place.

Luca Pellegrini (LB) – Alex Sandro offered close to nothing on Monday night and Pellegrini’s dynamism will be required down Juve’s left on Sunday.

Midfielders

Supporters were impressed with Denis Zakaria on Monday night. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Supporters were impressed with Denis Zakaria on Monday night. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) /

Federico Bernardeschi (RM) – Marley Ake recently returned to full fitness and could earn minutes off the bench, but I don’t think he’ll earn his second Juventus start. Thus, Bernardeschi is poised to keep his place in the team.

Denis Zakaria (CM) – Zakaria impressed many on Monday night as he teed up Paulo Dybala for the equaliser. His ball-winning capabilities are so handy in the middle of the park, and I don’t think there’s any doubt that he’ll start on Sunday.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – Arthur Melo may make the matchday squad following two weeks out with an ankle injury. But, the Brazilian surely won’t start with Rabiot poised to partner Zakaria as Danilo drops back into defence.

Alvaro Morata (LM) – Morata has occasionally played this more defensive role out of possession and he’ll likely be forced into it once again on Sunday due to Allegri’s lack of options. An alternative could be handing Matias Soulé his first start and shifting Bernardeschi over to the left.

Forwards

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Paulo Dybala of Juventus scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on April 25, 2022 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Paulo Dybala of Juventus scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on April 25, 2022 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) /

Paulo Dybala (SS) – Dybala had struggled against Sassuolo before his emphatic finish drew the Bianconeri level. Those are the moments La Joya can produce and the sequences they’ll desperately miss once he departs in the summer.

Dusan Vlahovic (ST) – Vlahovic was given minutes off the bench on Monday but he continues to cut an isolated figure leading Juventus’ line. Nevertheless, he’ll come back into the starting XI on Sunday despite Moise Kean making a huge claim for more minutes to close out the campaign.