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Juventus’ predicted XI for the 2022 Coppa Italia final

By James Cormack

GENOA, ITALY - MAY 6: Paulo Dybala of Juventus (4th from R) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Juventus at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on April 30, 2022 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)
GENOA, ITALY - MAY 6: Paulo Dybala of Juventus (4th from R) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Juventus at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on April 30, 2022 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images) /
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Juventus have the chance to earn some silverware amid a pretty wretched season in the Coppa Italia final. (Photo by Getty Images)
Juventus have the chance to earn some silverware amid a pretty wretched season in the Coppa Italia final. (Photo by Getty Images) /

Juventus will have the chance to snatch some silverware from a pretty wretched season when they take on Inter Milan in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final.

Juve are yet to beat their Derby d’Italia rivals this season, but the two sides have played out three tight and tense affairs thus far and a similar theme is expected in this one.

Inter will be bolstered by the return of Alessandro Bastoni in defence, but Massimiliano Allegri will welcome back elegant midfielder Manuel Locatelli and dynamic full-back Luca Pellegrini for Wednesday’s final from their respective injuries.

Juventus’ predicted XI for the 2022 Coppa Italia final

Nevertheless, Allegri is said to be mulling over his starting XI for the upcoming contest, and here’s the team he could opt for.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

A vintage Giorgio Chiellini display will be required on Wednesday. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
A vintage Giorgio Chiellini display will be required on Wednesday. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

Mattia Perin (GK) – Perin has performed well as Juventus’ ‘cup’ keeper this term and he’ll continue between the sticks for Wednesday’s final.

Danilo (RB) – The importance of Danilo was on full display as the Bianconeri folded at the death on Friday night in his absence. He provides invaluable serenity, technical security and leadership to this Juventus backline.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – De Ligt earned a rest last time out and there’s no doubting whether he’ll start in this one.

Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – Chiellini is likely to partner De Ligt in what will be the stalwart’s last chance to win some more silverware with the Bianconeri. The Italian was superb against Inter in February’s Supercoppa Italiana, and another vintage display will be required here.

Alex Sandro (LB) – With Mattia De Sciglio suspended and Pellegrini only just returning from injury, I expect Allegri will be forced to deploy Alex Sandro from the outset on Wednesday.

Midfielders

Manuel Locatelli is back in action. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Manuel Locatelli is back in action. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

Manuel Locatelli (CM) – Allegri will surely celebrate Locatelli’s timely return by placing him straight back into the starting XI for the first time since he injured his knee in April’s Derby d’Italia.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – Partnering Locatelli in the pivot will be, I suspect, Rabiot. The Frenchman starred in the last meeting between these two sides and has successfully nullified the forward forays of Nicolo Barella in the past.

Juan Cuadrado (RM) – Cuadradro struggled at right-back against Genoa, but he should keep his place in the team and play higher up in this one. He’ll be forced to track Bastoni every time the Italian defender ventures forward.

Paulo Dybala (AM) – Can he deliver one more vintage moment? Dybala scored on Friday night, but has a poor record against Wednesday’s opponents. Allegri needs to squeeze everything out of La Joya in this one.

Alvaro Morata (LM) – Moise Kean’s late miss in the Genoa defeat likely cost him a place in Wednesday’s team. Thus, Morata should get the nod and drift in from the left.

Forward

Dusan Vlahovic will lead the Juventus line. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Dusan Vlahovic will lead the Juventus line. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images) /

Dusan Vlahovic (ST) – Criticisms of Vlahovic’s service continued as he endured another goalless outing at the Luigi Ferraris. Allegri’s system is far from ideal, but the numbers suggest that the Serb hasn’t been totally stymied just yet. He’ll have the chance to produce a big moment or two in Wednesday’s final.