The personnel crisis at Juventus is going from bad to worse, threatening to curtail their momentum after four consecutive Serie A wins ‘to nil.’ Massimiliano Allegri’s high-flyers welcome promoted Cagliari to the Allianz Stadium on Saturday, knowing a win would lift them to the summit for at least one night.
However, Juventus must cautiously approach this contest after the situation in their treatment room worsened since last weekend’s 1-0 win at Fiorentina. Timothy Weah has joined long-term absentees Alex Sandro, Danilo, and Mattia De Sciglio in the infirmary. The suspension list has gained a new member.
Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli have got company after deputy captain Adrien Rabiot accumulated yellow cards in Tuscany. Juventus boss Allegri will have to readjust his tactics for Cagliari’s visit, but he’ll unlikely deviate from his preferable 3-5-2 formation.
Without Sandro and Danilo, Federico Gatti, Daniele Rugani, and Gleison Bremer will line up at the back. Rabiot’s ban will probably open the door for Fabio Miretti, who fired Juventus to a win at the Artemio Franchi.
Meanwhile, Weah’s unavailability increases the likelihood of Andrea Cambiaso’s return to the starting XI. He’ll probably move to the right to accommodate Filip Kostic. Manuel Locatelli and Weston McKennie should complement the midfield department.
Federico Chiesa has become an irremovable object in the front third, which brings up a question – who’ll partner him? At this point, Moise Kean boasts better chances than underperforming Dusan Vlahovic. But it’s up to the Juventus staff to decide.
(3-5-2): Wojciech Szczesny; Federico Gatti, Gleison Bremer, Daniele Rugani; Andrea Cambiaso, Weston Mckennie, Manuel Locatelli, Fabio Miretti, Filip Kostic; Federico Chiesa, Moise Kean.
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