The UEFA
Champions league is upon us once more and in a big way with Juventus starting
their campaign away to Spanish giants Barcelona. Juventus fans could be
forgiven for going into this match expecting, at worst a draw after Barcelona’s shambolic summer. The MSN front line is no more with Neymar
leaving the Nou Camp for Paris Saint German but that still leaves the threat of
Suarez and a certain Argentine on a mission to score against Buffon for the
first time. On paper, it could even be argued that Juventus have a better squad than they had for last season’s goalless draw here.
However, Juventus
will have to take on Barcelona with a laundry list of injured players most
notably Giorgio Chiellini. Also on the injured list are Sami Khedira, Claudio
Marchisio, Benedikt Howedes and Mario Mandzukic topped off with Juan Cuadrado
serving a suspension for his red card in last season’s final against Real
Madrid.
Barcelona go
into this game on a three match winning streak which leaves them, like Juventus
sitting on top of their domestic league. This isn’t the only thing Barcelona
have in common with their opponents as like Juventus, their talismanic Argentine
is on top form with Messi scoring five goals in three appearances. Juventus
will be hoping Messi doesn’t add to that tally on Tuesday night and that their
own man of the moment Paulo Dybala will continue his brilliant form so far this
season, which has seen him also score five goals in the opening three SerieA
fixtures.
Given the
names that will be sitting out this match for Juventus, all eyes will be on the
formation and starting eleven Allegri chooses. Already there is talk of Sturaro
potentially playing on the wing in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation which
understandably doesn’t fill a Juventus fan with confidence going into this one.
Failing this, we would likely see a 4-3-3 formation which would make more sense
if Sturaro will be starting with either one of new boys Bernardeschi or Douglas
Costa starting alongside Higuain & Dybala in attack. With Lichsteiner left
out of the champions league squad list and Howedes unavailable that leaves either one of Barzagli or Mattia
De Sciglio to fill in the right back position and leaves us praying De Sciglio makes no
mistakes like the one that lead to Lazio’s match winning goal not so long ago
in the super cup final.
Injuries are
a tough blow to take at the most of times, especially when travelling away to a
club like Barcelona. But Juventus should go into this one with no inferiority
complex here after their good start to the season and feats against Barcelona
last season as well.
My starting
11 (4-2-3-1)
Buffon //
Alex Sandro, Rugani, Barzagli, De Sciglio // Matuidi, Pjanic // D.Costa,
Dyabala, Beranardeschi // Higauin
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