Juventus vs. Sassuolo: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

While there is little doubt that next week’s UEFA Champions League clash with Bayern Munich will be on their minds, Juventus must first take care of business in a domestic clash with Sassuolo.

Friday evening sees the Neroverdi—sitting seventh in Serie A—visit Juventus Stadium, and they will undoubtedly be buoyed by victories over Lazio and AC Milan in their last two outings.

“I'm happy about Sassuolo's victory against a team in a good moment. Milan were emerging from a string of positive results,” club president Giorgio Squinzi told the CalcioNews24 website (h/t Football Italia). “Qualifying for the Europa League is difficult, but if it happens we certainly won't hold back.”

Currently seven points outside those coveted European berths, a win against the Bianconeri would be a major boost to their hopes, but the side from Emilia-Romagna will arrive knowing they have lost on each of their previous visits to Turin.

While they have also failed to score on each of those three occasions, coach Eusebio Di Francesco and his players know they were the last Italian side to beat Juventus, winning 1-0 at home back in October.

Indeed, that result sparked a dramatic change in fortunes for the Bianconeri, who subsequently went on a 15-match run of victories that powered them to first place in the table. That streak included a win over closest rivals Napoli, and it is essential they maintain their advantage on Friday evening.

“I’m used to thinking one step at a time,” Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri insisted earlier this week, per Football Italia. “We’re thinking about the League because there are three important points to win and it would be one game down on the way to the final victory.”

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Date: Friday, March 11, 2016

Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin

TV Info: BT Sport Europe (UK), beIN Sports 1 (USA)

Live Stream: BT Connect (UK)

Form Lines

Last five domestic results:

Frosinone 0-2 Juventus	Sassuolo 2-2 Palermo
Juventus 1-0 Napoli	Chievo 1-1 Sassuolo
Bologna 0-0 Juventus	Sassuolo 3-2 Empoli
Juventus 2-0 Inter	Lazio 0-2 Sassuolo
Atalanta 0-2 Juventus	Sassuolo 2-0 Milan

Probable Formations

LineupBuilder.com

Juventus (3-5-2): Gigi Buffon; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Sami Khedira, Claudio Marchisio, Paul Pogba; Juan Cuadrado; Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala

Unavailable: Martin Caceres and Giorgio Chiellini (both injured)

Sassuolo: (4-3-3): Andrea Consigli; Sime Vrsaljko, Luca Antei, Francesco Acerbi, Federico Peluso; Davide Biondini, Francesco Magnanelli, Alfred Duncan; Domenico Berardi, Diego Falcinelli, Nicola Sansone

Unavailable: Gregoire Defrel (suspended), Karim Laribi, Simone Missiroli and Paolo Cannavaro (all injured)

Key Battle

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While both Juventus and Sassuolo have teams filled with attacking options, it is perhaps in midfield where this encounter will be won or lost. Francesco Magnanelli joined the Neroverdi back in 2005 when they were in Serie C2—Italian football’s fourth tier—and remains a key figure this term.

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According to statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, the 31-year-old leads the side with 2.8 tackles and 66.3 passes per game, helping Sassuolo establish a steady attacking tempo throughout the campaign.

However, at Juventus Stadium, he will go head-to-head with Claudio Marchisio, who performs the same task for the reigning champions. Always aware of where his team-mates need support and tactically intelligent, the Turin native protects the defence diligently while effectively replacing Andrea Pirlo as a passing outlet at the heart of midfield.

Player to Watch

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While that clash may prove key to the final result, Domenico Berardi remains the player to watch for Sassuolo. The 21-year-old has weighed in with six goals and four assists this term, including match-winning strikes against Milan, Lazio and Inter as he adds to his impressive reputation.

The Bianconeri reportedly have an option to sign Berardi in the summer, with La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) believing the price is set at €25 million. As such, it is likely he will be looking to impress, particularly with the European Championships looming large on the horizon.

Yet to be capped by Italy, a strong end to 2015/16 may help his cause, although a poor disciplinary record continues to hamper his progress, as he has already collected seven yellows and one red card in 21 league appearances.

“It’s been difficult for me personally, but I’m working every day on improving,” he told Sky Sports Italia recently (h/t Forza Italian Football). “My character has changed a lot, I’m now much calmer and you can see the results of this.”

Odds (via Odds Shark)

Away win: 9-1

Home win: 100-303

Draw: 15-4