5 Juventus Players to Watch on International Duty Week of October 6
Juventus have enjoyed an exceptional start to 2014-15, reeling of six straight league victories which includes Sunday’s win over closest rivals AS Roma. With five clean sheets and a comfortably Champions League win over Malmo, the only blemish on their record was last week’s loss to Atletico Madrid,
In fine form and with a vital three-point cushion atop the Serie A standings, the Bianconeri will rightly head into the latest international break brimming with confidence. It is no surprise to see no fewer than 16 players called to represent their respective countries, reflecting the rich depth of the current squad.
Over the following pages is a look at the five Juventus players most likely to enjoy a significant impact during this raft of international fixtures, listed in alphabetical order.
Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana)
1 of 5
With home-and-away fixtures against Guinea on Saturday and next Wednesday, Ghana have a chance to open a real gap over their African Cup of Nations group. Battling Togo for first place, Kwadwo Asamoah remains a hugely important player for a team who were hugely disappointing at last summer’s World Cup.
The 25-year-old has been in impressive form for Juventus so far this term, featuring at both left wing-back and in central midfield. He is often fielded in both roles for his national side, and it will be interesting to see where he plays over these two matches.
Sebastian Giovinco (Italy)
2 of 5
Perhaps the biggest surprise in Antonio Conte’s latest Italy squad is the inclusion of Sebastian Giovinco, the striker having played just 91 minutes this season. A start against Cesena in the league remains his only significant action, seemingly falling to the bottom of Juve’s attacking options.
Clearly Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez remain Massimiliano Allegri’s first-choice pairing, but both Kingsley Coman and Alvaro Morata now appear to be ahead of Giovinco. If the 27-year-old can impress for the Azzurri in their two matches, he may be able to force his coach to revise that opinion.
Angelo Ogbonna (Italy)
3 of 5
Like Giovinco, Angelo Ogbonna is clearly a backup player in Turin, his path to the first XI blocked by compatriots Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. Even with the former missing through injury, Martin Caceres has been selected ahead of the former Torino captain, slotting seamlessly into the back three.
However, Conte has kept faith in Ogbonna, calling him into the Italy squad and, with only five central defenders available, is likely to see some action against Azerbaijan or Malta. If he can shine alongside his club team-mates for the Azzurri, Massimiliano Allegri may afford him greater playing time upon his return to domestic action.
Paul Pogba (France)
4 of 5
While the roles of many of Juve’s international protagonists remains uncertain, Paul Pogba has quickly cemented a place for himself in the France midfield. Still with just 18 full caps to his name, the youngster has shone for Les Bleus, ensuring Didier Deschamps continually selects him among the starting XI.
Portugal visit the Stade de France on Saturday, a high-profile friendly as France continue preparations for hosting Euro 2016. They follow that with a trip to Armenia, and Pogba will be joined in the squad by Patrice Evra, his new Juventus team-mate recalled to the squad after a brief absence.
Arturo Vidal (Chile)
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If the other four men on this list are of interest due to their varying current form, it is the fitness of Arturo Vidal which is perhaps of greatest concern. The midfielder has dropped in and out of the Juventus lineup this term, continuing to feel the after-effects of the knee surgery he underwent this summer.
Chile host Peru on Friday in Valparaiso before facing Bolivia four days later, and are likely to look to the talismanic Vidal to help them record a friendly win over their South American neighbours. The 27-year-old will hope his health holds up, seeking to add to the 54 caps and eight goals he has already recorded for La Roja.
