Serie A PREVIEW | Juventus v Lazio

After securing third place in the league standings following their last match, Serie A action returns for Juventus as they hope to continue the positive momentum when they face Lazio tomorrow at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus head into this match on the back of a comprehensive 2-0 victory against Empoli in their previous game. Danilo and Federico Chiesa were on the scoresheet as the Bianconeri came back to winning ways after drawing against Bologna on the second matchday of the season. 

Manager Massimiliano Allegri is playing an instrumental role in rebuilding this Juventus team which found treacherous paths last season, ultimately failing to secure a top-six finish. However, this season, things are looking to change as the Turin-based side have started the new campaign strongly, scoring six goals and conceding only once across three matches. Striker Dusan Vlahovic aims to make a lethal attacking partnership with Federico Chiesa this season as Allegri will look to keep the focus of the team on the pitch and achieve a higher finish. 

Meanwhile, Lazio will look to continue the momentum which they gathered from the ecstatic win against Napoli in their last game. Luis Alberto’s strike opened the scoring in the 30th minute but the lead was soon cancelled out by Piotr Zielinski two minutes later. It was a memorable moment for new signing Daichi Kamada as he was one who scored the decider in the 52nd minute, helping Lazio cruise to their first win of the season and handing the Partenopei a defeat. 

The Biancocelesti were handed two losses from their first two matchdays of the new season, that too against weaker opposition, losing 2-1 against Lecce and 1-0 versus newly promoted Genoa. While the win over the current Scudetto holders helped them get out of the relegation zone, Maurizio Sarri has a huge job on his hands to steer his side to a win against Juventus.

Results from their last five matches across all competitions:

Juventus:

W D W D W

Lazio:

W L L W L

Team News

Juventus will miss Paul Pogba for the foreseeable future as the Frenchman tested positive for testosterone and is serving a suspension. The midfielder has been handed a ban by the league following positive results in a doping test. 

Federico Chiesa will aim to be passed fit for the match after he missed Italy’s Euro qualifying matches with an adductor issue. 

As for Lazio, new signing Matteo Guendouzi is striving for the start in the midfield while Pedro returns from injury. 

Mattia Zaccagni is set to start alongside Ciro Immobile. 

Predicted XIs

Juventus (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bremer, Gatti; Cambiaso, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa, Vlahovic

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Casale, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Kamada, Cataldi, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN