juve face a Champions League test against Young Boys without their big summer signing – but how will they approach the game?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card against Valencia a fortnight ago may have been controversial, but the reality is that Juventus will have to do without their star man when they face Young Boys at home in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Against Valencia, Ronaldo lined up on the left side of a three-man forward line in a 4-3-3. The simplest option would be a straight swap for one of Juventus’ other strong attacking options. Paulo Dybala will play after not featuring at all in Spain. Mario Mandzukic will also get time for the Old Lady.
Douglas Costa would have been eligible for this match despite his four game suspension for spitting in Serie A, but was injured against Valencia and will not be fit for the contest against Young Boys.
Likewise, it seems likely Emre Can will receive the start with Sami Khedira nursing a knock. Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed he wants Khedira to play, but only for about 30 minutes in anticipation of this weekend’s clash against Udinese.
Giorgio Chiellini will definitely miss out as he is being rested according to Allegri.
However, an important player for Juve may be Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian international has seen a time in the defence this year as Allegri has juggled getting all of his attacking talent on the field. Cuadrado could be an option in attack against Young Boys or he could slot in at defence as Allegri indicated Joao Cancelo may receive a rest.
Because Allegri likes to rotate formations, he may not stick with a 4-3-3. The 3-5-2 was trotted out in a 2-0 win against Bologna on September 26, which saw Cuadrado come in on the right side of midfield and Alex Sandro rested.
Allegri has not only said Chiellini will sit out, but that Andrea Barzagli will play. The veteran defender’s lone start came in that victory over Bologna, where he teamed with Bonucci and Medhi Benatia in central defence. Could the fact he will play be a hint Allegri will be returning to that set up against Young Boys?
Cuadrado could again slot into the right side of midfield, which would allow Cancelo to rest.
Allegri has also lined his side up in a 4-3-1-2 this year, with Dybala operating as an attacking midfielder in front of three central players. He could return to that role or move further forward with someone else working as the most advanced midfielder.
The Juventus boss also indicated Federico Bernardeschi could be available at a number of different positions on Tuesday, telling reporters: “Bernardeschi can play wide, inside or in the hole. I need to make a call on his involvement tomorrow.
