Juventus go into this fixture a little out of sorts and not
looking like her usual self, taking only 1 point from the previous two
fixtures, letting a 2-0 lead slip to draw 2-2 with Atalanta and a shocking 2-1
defeat at home against Lazio. Juventus defence has not been looking as strong
as it once was in previous seasons and this problem will need addressed if
results are to improve. Dybala and Alex Sandro were mainly rested for the
defeat against Lazio with Dybala remaining on the bench until the 65th
minute, and Alex Sandro playing no part in the game at all. Both should be
fresh to face Sporting and both will be needed to perform, particularly Dybala
after missing back to back penalties that already look like costly mistakes, with Napoli sitting 5 points ahead at the top of the league. Another player
Juventus will need to perform is lone striker Gonzalo Higuain, who had looked
like his goal shy performances were a thing of the past after he scored in consecutive
matches against Olympiacos and Atalanta. He missed a big chance against Lazio with the scoreline level and such opportunities can’t be wasted, especially on champions league nights
where they can make all the difference.
Sporting Lisbon are looking like the surprise package in
group D, comfortably defeating Olypiacos 3-2 and proving a stubborn opponent for
group leaders Barcelona as a Coates own goal was all that separated the sides
in a 1-0 defeat for the Portuguese outfit. This has left Sporting level on
points with Juventus going into Wednesday night’s fixture, with only goal
difference separating the sides. On the
domestic side Sporting are currently in second place, with league leaders Porto
ahead by two points after the sides 0-0 meeting at the beginning of October. Sporting
are undefeated domestically with 6 wins and two draws, their only defeat so far
this season being Barcelona. Dutch striker Bas Dost will be one to keep an eye
on, being Sporting’s top goal scorer last season with 37 goals over 43
appearances. He currently has 5 goals in 12 appearances for this season.
Team news: Allegri has come out and stated the obvious "The
game against Sporting is most decisive for qualification” also adding that
Dybala will continue to take penalties despite being unconvincing from the
penalty spot lately. First the good news, a player Juventus have badly missed could potentially be back in the starting line up "Pjanic
has recovered and could start, he’s rested and I’ll see in the training session
today” However. . “Who is playing wing back? Sturaro has played good games
there and it is a role that he could excel in." How Juventus fans must wish
their club signed a natural right back over the summer with Sturaro potentially
once again taking the position, making the omission of Lichsteiner from the
champions league look stranger with each passing fixture in the competition. Either
of Barzagli or Sturaro should deputise for now at right back given Juventus
lack of other options for the position. Despite recent results Allegri was
defiant when asked if Juventus weir a side in crisis “Juventus are absolutely
not in crisis, “We’re in a period where we’ve taken one point from two games,
but it’s a long season” anything other than 3 points tomorrow night, and
Juventus fans might state otherwise.
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