View from the Opposition: The quickfire scouting report on Juventus

Massimiliano Nerozzi from Il Corriere della Sera tells us about Juventus’ form going into the Roma game and predicts the Bianconeri’s starting line-up at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening…

How are Juventus looking ahead of the game against Roma?

“The Bianconeri are going into the match against the Giallorossi in excellent form, seeing as they’ve recently qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League by defeating Olympiacos in Athens, clawed back some points on the top of the league after a vital win away against Napoli and on Wednesday reached the quarter finals of the Coppa Italia by beating Genoa.

In that game, Paulo Dybala rediscovered some form and scored for the first time in over 400 minutes and Gonzalo Higuain was also back to his best.”

Which players will Massimiliano Allegri pick on Saturday evening and in what formation?

“Juventus do have a few injury niggles, as there’s a doubt over Mario Mandzukic and both Gianluigi Buffon and Mattia De Sciglio definitely won’t play. Allegri will opt for a 4-3-3 that can switch to a 4-3-2-1, the latest formation the coach has tried out.

"Wojciech Szczesny will be in goal; at right back it could be Stephan Lichtsteiner again, Medhi Benatia and Giorgio Chiellini in the centre and Alex Sandro on the left; Sami Khedira, Miralem Pjanic and Blaise Matuidi will play in midfield; in attack, it will be Juan Cuadrado if he recovers or Douglas Costa, Higuain through the centre and on the left probably Dybala rather than Mandzukic, considering the Croatian’s fitness.”

Who will be Juventus’ key man against Roma?

“I’ll say Gonzalo Higuain because even though Eusebio Di Francesco has improved the Giallorossi’s defence this season, Gonzalo is terrific at playing on the last shoulder and I think the opposition defenders could find his movement hard to handle. I’ll add that, if he plays, Douglas Costa is also in great form and could cause problems one-on-one on the right side of Roma’s defence.”

If you could choose one Roma player, who would you pick?

“I’d choose Radja Nainggolan because having spoken to various Juve players over recent years, they’ve often picked him out as one of the best players in the league. Aside from Edin Dzeko, who is having another great campaign following last season, I think the Belgian poses the greatest threat to the Bianconeri.”