Juventus host Atalanta at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Serie A as they look to climb the table.
The Bianconeri have lost three games so far in Serie A this season, drawing another three and winning just two. The Bianconeri drew 0-0 with Inter in the Derby d’Italia last week. It was an encouraging display compared to the start of the season, but the problem of scoring goals was still visible as the Old Lady have struggled to be effective up front, having scored just nine goals so far this season in Serie A.
Atalanta, meanwhile, are in great form and sit in 8th place with 14 points having won last weekend 3-0 against Carpi. Thanks to Alejandro Gomez’s wonder goal, the Dea went back to winning ways after losing to Fiorentina the previous week. Before that, their only other loss against Inter in the first game of the season, which was followed by five games unbeaten.
Last season’s fixtures saw the Bianconeri win both games against the Dea. Juve won 2-1 in Turin thanks to goals from Andrea Pirlo and Fernando Llorente, and 0-3 in Bergamo thanks to a Carlos Tevez double.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri may stat Paulo Dybala ahead of Simone Zaza who has been criticised by fans recently for his lack of goals. Mario Mandzukic has also struggled to perform to his level and should start on the bench as well.
Allegri can count on most of his squad, with only Stephan Lichtsteiner and Martin Caceres still unavailable.
Atalanta boss Edy Reja also has most his squad available, apart from Marcelo Estigarribia. Gomez and Maxi Moralez should start up front on either side of Mauricio Pinilla, who could be preferred to captain German Denis.
Reja will confirm the new starting midfield with 20-year-old Alberto Grassi and expert Luca Cigarini alongside Marten De Roon, one of the surprises of Atalanta’s start to this season.
Form Guide: Juventus (W-L-D-W-D) Atalanta (D-W-W-L-W)
Expected Staring XIs:
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Cuadrado, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra; Dybala, Morata.
Atalanta: Sportiello; Masiello, Toloi, Paletta, Dramé; Grassi, De Roon, Cigarini; Moralez, Pinilla, Gomez.
Infographic from www.sporticos.com
