Saturday’s rich program in Serie A kicks off at the Allianz Stadium with a mouth-watering showdown between Juventus and Lazio. Let’s look at our match preview for this handsomely-looking contest.
Despite failing to reinforce Massimiliano Allegri’s squad beyond Timothy Weah’s arrival from Lille, Juventus have made their underwhelming recruitment campaign negligible with an inspirational league start. The record-time Italian champions got their 2023/24 campaign underway with an astonishing 3-0 triumph at Udinese.
Although a dramatic 1-1 home draw against Bologna in the follow-up rekindled fears among the Juventus faithful, Bianconeri got back on track on matchday three with a stellar performance against Empoli. A few months after slumping to a 4-1 defeat at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, Allegri’s men avenged that humiliation with a 2-0 win a fortnight ago.
Not even Dusan Vlahovic’s miss from the spot prevented Juventus from going into September’s international break in a buoyant mood. Speaking of high spirits, visiting Lazio must be familiar with the term after overcoming a dreadful two-game losing Serie A start at the one of the most unlikeliest venues in Italy.
Following back-to-back one-goal margin losses to sub-par Lecce and Genoa, Maurizio Sarri’s side stunned defending champions Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona last time out. Goals from Luis Alberto and Daichi Kamada on either side of halftime inspired Biancocelesti to a morale-boosting 2-1 victory at the best possible moment.
But whether it was only a fluke or a sign of resurgence remains to be season as the visitors gear up for another blockbuster travel.
Match Preview
Juventus
With the deadlock broken inside the opening 25 minutes in each of Juventus’ three Serie A games this season, some early action could be on the cards. You’d have to go back five seasons to find the last time Bianconeri opened a league campaign with a seven-point haul from the first three matches.
Adding three more to the tally would be a fitting tribute to their bid to return to European football after UEFA imposed a one-year ban on them for financial transgressions. Despite Lazio’s sterling display in Naples on the stroke of September’s international break, Juventus should feel comfortable here.
They have been victorious in four of their last five home meetings with Biancocelesti in Turin (D1), including a comprehensive 3-0 win in this corresponding fixture in 2022/23.
Player to Watch: Dusan Vlahovic
Seeking amends for a wasted penalty against Empoli, Vlahovic will be keen to return to the scoreboard, having found the net in the opening two Serie A rounds.
Lazio
Masterminding Lazio’s win at Napoli was the latest example of Sarri’s tactical prowess, something his former employers have often had to learn the hard way. Juventus are part of that club, though they’ve stood firm against the 64-year-old manager since he took over the reins in the capital in 2021.
Indeed, Sarri has only won once in his six competitive games against Juventus as the Lazio boss (D1, L3). But now looks to be a perfect time to buck that trend, especially after guiding Bianconcelesti to back-to-back away league wins at Napoli for the first time since 1997. There’s more reason for optimism.
Lazio clocked a 2-1 win in their last Serie A encounter against Juventus in April, though you’d need to go back to 2017/18 for their most recent top-flight triumph at Juventus.
Player to Watch: Luis Alberto
Alberto’s memorable backheel strike against Napoli is already in contention for the best goal of the 2023/24 Serie A season. It’s also worth noting he delivered a crucial assist for the winning goal in Lazio’s last league win over Juventus.
Team News
Paul Pogba cannot catch a break at Juventus. When it looked like he could be on the verge of regaining full fitness after battling several injuries for over a year, the Frenchman failed a drugs test, prompting Bianconeri to suspend him.
Luckily for Allegri, Mattia De Sciglio is the only notable absentee alongside the 30-year-old midfielder.
Visiting Lazio will take this trip relieved of any injury concerns, even though Italy captain Ciro Immobile picked up a minor knock during the international break.
Juventus vs Lazio Potential Lineups
Juventus (3-5-2): Wojciech Szczesny; Danilo, Gleison Bremer, Federico Gatti; Andrea Cambiaso, Nicolo Fagioli, Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Filip Kostic; Federico Chiesa, Dusan Vlahovic.
Lazio (4-3-3): Ivan Provedel; Adam Marusic, Nicolo Casale, Alessio Romagnoli, Elseid Hysaj; Daichi Kamada, Danilo Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Ciro Immobile, Mattia Zaccagni.
Juventus vs Lazio Prediction
Considering Lazio’s phenomenal performance against Napoli, especially in the second half, it’s hard to put it past them to upset the apple cart again. However, we’re more inclined to back Juventus to maintain their impressive form in the early season and land a narrow victory.
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