Lazio vs. Juventus: How Juve Should Line Up in Serie A Game

After a two-week pause, Serie A returns this weekend, with Juventus travelling to Rome to tackle an impressive Lazio outfit.

The Biancocelesti currently sit sixth in the table, but they are just two points away from a Champions League berth and are enjoying a fine season.

Surprisingly beaten by Empoli before the international break, Stefano Pioli’s men had won five of their previous six matches, playing some excellent football. Juventus appear to be doing the same, with their 7-0 demolition of Parma showing they had emerged from a difficult period.

With a vital European fixture against Malmo next week, it is important to retain the momentum from that emphatic victory, and three points against Lazio would ensure that for Massimiliano Allegri. The coach will welcome back some key players on Saturday, allowing him to make some changes to his lineup and ensure the team remains fresh.

On the following pages is a look at how the Bianconeri are likely to line up for this encounter at the Stadio Olimpico. 

Goalkeeper

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Gianluigi Buffon is almost certain to start in goal, the captain having skipped Italy’s friendly with Albania on Tuesday.

Rested and eager to play, the 36-year-old will be looking to add to the eight clean sheets he has already recorded in Serie A in the 2014-15 campaign.

Statistics from Fox Soccer show that Buffon leads all goalkeepers, while he has been called upon to make just 17 saves in nine appearances to date.

With a new contract signed on Thursday, per the club’s official website, Buffon will likely be brimming with confidence at kick-off time.

Defence

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Allegri’s decision to abandon the 3-5-2, which brought such tremendous success to Juventus, appears to have been vindicated, with results showing the coach has made the right decision.

A win over Olympiacos was followed by that Parma match, and the new formation looks here to stay.

While the team has looked vastly improved, the Lazio attack will provide a stern test for the new-look back four of the Bianconeri. Miroslav Klose needs no introduction, but he may start on the bench as summer signing Filip Djordjevic leads the Rome-based club with six goals this term.

Angelo Ogbonna has joined Juve’s lengthy injury list, meaning Simone Padoin is likely to continue at left-back for the visitors. The 30-year-old notched his second assist of the campaign against Parma, but he will face a difficult matchup against the in-form Antonio Candreva, a constant threat on the right flank.

Stephan Lichtsteiner will fill the other full-back role, with Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini continuing their partnership in central defence. 

Midfield

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It is in midfield where Allegri is perhaps most likely to rotate, welcoming back Arturo Vidal from suspension and Andrea Pirlo from injury.

With those two returning to the starting XI, Claudio Marchisio is expected to drop to the bench, allowing Roberto Pereyra to fill his spot.

The Argentine has been impressive in recent weeks, covering a variety of roles and proving his value to Allegri and Juventus. Paul Pogba should also feature, the Frenchman likely to play just behind the strikers at the tip of the diamond formation now favoured by his coach. 

Attack

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The choices in attack are beginning to become difficult for Allegri, a problem he will no doubt welcome given Juve’s previous issues in attack.

The match is likely to see Carlos Tevez start, the striker back fresh from his international return with Argentina after a prolonged absence.

He once again leads the Bianconeri with eight goals, also weighing in with four assists as he continues the rich form he has displayed since landing in Turin.

Meanwhile, Fernando Llorente—rested during the break, having not being called up by Spain—is the favourite to partner Tevez up front on Saturday.

That would allow Alvaro Morata to sit out ahead of the Malmo clash, a game in which the youngster could well be given the nod. Kingsley Coman was also impressive in his short cameo against Parma and could be introduced from the bench later in the game.

Expected Juventus XI (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin; Pereyra, Pirlo, Vidal; Pogba; Tevez, Llorente