Juventus striker doubtful for home clash with Udinese

Date: 23rd August 2015 at 2:56pm
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New Juventus front-man Mario Mandzukic is a doubt ahead of the Serie A champions opening game of the season at home to Udinese on Sunday.

The Croatian signed for a reported €19 million from Bayern Munich earlier this summer, following the departure of Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors.

According to Calcio News 24, Mandzukic would have been expected to start under normal circumstances, but his fitness levels aren’t yet up to scratch, thus possibly handing the forward slot to Fernando Llorente instead.

Additionally, experienced defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli have recovered from their own injury worries sufficiently to make up part of a three-man back-line alongside Leonardo Bonucci.

Meanwhile, the versatile Simone Padoin is thought to be earmarked for Andrea Pirlo’s former deep-lying playmaker role, after Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira were both ruled out.

New boy Paulo Dybala should also feature up front, with Spaniard forward Alvaro Morata sitting this one out due to a calf problem.

 

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