An emotional evening is in store at the Allianz Stadium as Giorgio Chiellini bids farewell to the Juventus faithful.
The Bianconeri take on Lazio in their final home game of the Serie A season on Monday night in a fixture that’ll also see Paulo Dybala don the iconic black and white strip for the very last time in front of an adoring Juventus home crowd.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side are playing for very little otherwise. Defeat at Genoa last time out in the league means they’ll likely finish fourth in Serie A, although Lazio could make a giant stride towards next season’s Europa League after AS Roma dropped points at home to the now relegated Venezia on Saturday.
Juventus’ predicted XI vs Lazio
Here’s the team that Allegri could pick for Monday night’s game.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – Szczesny will close the season out between the sticks after Mattia Perin retained his place in the cup starting XI last Wednesday.
Mattia De Sciglio (RB) – Danilo’s season is done after pulling up in the Coppa Italia final which means that De Sciglio, who was suspended for the final, should return to the XI. The versatile Italian has performed better off the left this season, mind.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – Already confirmed as next season’s skipper, Bonucci should partner his long-time buddy on his final home appearance.
Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – Allegri would be cruel not to give the departing stalwart a start on Monday night. You can bet your bottom dollar that he puts in a vintage display.
Luca Pellegrini (LB) – Pellegrini returned from a brief absence last Wednesday and is in contention to start in this one. He should get the nod over Alex Sandro.
Midfielders
Federico Bernardeschi (RM) – I thought Bernardeschi was excellent against the Nerazzurri before he was taken off prematurely midway through the second half. It was his best performance of 2022 which means he should keep his place in the XI.
Fabio Miretti (CM) – With Arthur Melo and Denis Zakaria both out, Allegri confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the teenager will play on Monday night. Miretti didn’t feature in Wednesday’s final after starting Juve’s last two Serie A outings.
Adrien Rabiot (CM) – Manuel Locatelli returned off the bench last time out, but I don’t think Allegri will risk starting him in a pretty meaningless fixture. He should get more minutes as a substitute to ease him back in. Thus, Rabiot’s set to retain his place in midfield.
Alvaro Morata (LM) – Morata was excellent off the bench last time out and fully deserves to come back into the starting XI.
Forwards
Paulo Dybala (SS) – Dybala almost produced a vintage display in the final as he teed up Dusan Vlahovic for the go-ahead goal with a perfectly-weighted pass. La Joya will be hoping to clear Roberto Baggio in the all-time scoring charts before he departs.
Dusan Vlahovic (ST) – Vlahovic ended his mini goal drought against Inter Milan and will surely lead the line once more in this one. The Serb has scored three times against Lazio in four appearances.