Champions League: How could Juve line up against Bayern Munich without Marchisio, Chiellini and Dybala?
As CM.com’s Nicola Balice points out, the Bianconeri will probably line up again with a 4-4-2 system. Should Allgri pick this formation, Alex Sandro and Evra are expected to play down the left flank, while Stephan Lichtsteiner and Juan Cuadrado should play down the opposite one.
Paul Pogba and Sami Kheidra would try to boss the midfield with Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci playing in the heart of the Bianconeri’s defense working hard to nullify Robert Lewandowski. Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata should partner up front, if the Croatian striker will be eligible to play tomorrow night.
However, the 4-4-2 is not the only option available for Massimiliano Allegri. The Old Lady boss could also chose the same 4-3-3 system he used at the beginning of the Champions League campaign to beat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
In this case, the defensive line would remain the same mentioned above (Licht, Bazragli, Bonucci, Evra), but both midfield and attack would substantially change.
Paul Pogba and Sami Khedira are the only ones sure to line up at the Allianz Arena. Stefano Sturaro could complete a three-men midfield, playing instead of Hernanes, while Allegri could prefer Roberto Pereyra or Alex Sandro to play as left winger instead of Alvaro Morata.
Being the only pure right winger available in Juventus squad, Juan Cuadrado will play in that position with Mario Mandzukic playing as a sole striker.
One last option could be the good old 3-5-2, but with Martin Caceres and Giorgio Chiellini out of action, Allegri would be 'forced' to start Rugani. In this case Hernanes would be preferred over Stefano Sturaro to play in fron of defense with Alex Sandro and Stephan Lichtsteiner plyaing down both flanks. Mario Mandzukic would partner Alvaro Morata up front.
This last option seems the most unlikely at the moment as Allegri has only started Rugani three times in Serie A this term against Sampdoria, Udinese and Sassuolo (last Friday).
However, the Italian manager turned Juventus' season around last year when he surprisingly switched to a 4-3-1-2 system to beat Olympiacos 3-2 in a crucial home victory in the Champions League group stage.
Would tomorrow's decision to start Rugani be as unpredictable?
Lorenzo Bettoni (@lorebetto), adapted from an article by Nicola Balice @Nicola Balice
