Juventus-Fiorentina: Opta stats, talking points, predicted line-ups
Here there are the five talking points of Juventus-Fiorentina.
FORM
JUVENTUS: The Old Lady is fit and has to prove it on the pitch, Pjanic is a doubt, Higuain should be benched with Mario Mandzukic starting from the first minute. Sturaro, Marchisio and Mandragora are the only injured.
FIORENTINA: La Viola’s pre-season was not exciting at all. They lost almost all games even if they played against high-level opponents. What’s worrying is that there has been no sign of development throughout the summer.
WEAK POINTS
JUVENTUS: Lack of quality if Pjanic doesn’t start. The return of the BBC, however, is important news for Allegri. Fiorentina have always allowed one goal in each one of their pre-season matches.
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
JUVENTUS: Definitely Paulo Dybala even if Fiorentina defenders can’t be too relaxed with Gonzalo Hugian around despite the Argentinean’s poor form.
FIORENTINA: He’s not the same player that used to wreck opponents’ defences, but Giuseppe Rossi could make the difference for Paulo Sousa’s side at the J Stadium.
TRANSFER MARKET
JUVENTUS: They urge to sign one new midfielder at least. The team is still not complete. Cuadrado should arrive next week, the situation of Zaza is still not clear. FIORENTINA: Fans are understandably not happy for the summer transfer campaign. Fiorentina have acquired second-choice signings and supporters keep saying the club need to spend in order to win. They’re not wrong.
MANAGERS
JUVENTUS: Allegri’s squad is good enough to win the treble this season. The Italian tactician, however, took the pressure out of his squad in the pre-match press conference.
FIORENTINA: Paulo Sousa has apparently decided to stay at the club for lack of alternatives. The Portuguese boss was not happy about the January transfer market and is definitely not happy about the club’s strategies of this summer.
OPTA STATS
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli; Alex Sandro, Asamoah, Hernanes, Khedira, Dani Alves; Mandzukic, Dybala. Coach: Allegri
FIORENTINA (3-4-1-2): Tatarusanu; Tomovic, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Astori; Bernardeschi, Badelj, Vecino, Alonso; Borja Valero; Rossi, Kalinic. Coach: Sousa
