Juventus predicted lineup vs Atalanta - Serie A

Massimiliano Allegri has faced Atalanta's manager Gian Piero Gasperini more times than any other coach in his career, winning half of their 22 matches
Massimiliano Allegri has faced Atalanta's manager Gian Piero Gasperini more times than any other coach in his career, winning half of their 22 matches / Ivan Romano/GettyImages
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Juventus return to domestic action after a midweek mauling on the continent by hosting an Atalanta side once again residing in Serie A's top four on Saturday evening.

Juve were branded as 'shameless' and 'unwatchable' by the Italian media in the wake of a humbling 4-0 defeat at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The Bianconeri are already guaranteed a place in the Champions League knockout stages but have some ground to make up if they are to qualify for the competition via their league position next season.

Here's the lineup Massimiliano Allegri may deploy to haul themselves to within one point of Serie A's current fourth-placed side, Atalanta.


Juventus predicted lineup vs Atalanta - Serie A

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - After a performance Juve's goalkeeper himself described as 'tragic', Szczesny may well be busy if he is to prevent another defeat against Serie A's second-most prolific shooters this season.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) - In the wake of Danilo's lengthy absence, compounded by Mattia De Sciglio's fitness struggles of his own, the natural winger may have to curb his attacking instincts for another week.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - Juve's scarcely overlooked defensive anchor is worryingly the club's joint-top scorer in Serie A this season with just three goals - two of which he scored last week.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - Having formed a 'staffetta' (relay rotation) with Giorgio Chiellini for much of the campaign, Allegri may be forced to consistently turn to his Dutch centre back while the teammate 15 years De Ligt's senior recovers from an Achilles injury.

Alex Sandro (LB) - With more completed passes into the penalty area from open play than any other Juve player, the Brazilian full-back has emerged as one of the Bianconeri's most creative outlets outside set pieces.

2. Midfielders

Federico Chiesa (RM) - With just one league goal and as many assists from 11 appearances, Juve's much-vaunted 24-year-old is averaging the lowest goal contributions of his budding career so far.

Manuel Locatelli (CM) -
The only player to have featured in all 18 of Juve's matches this season isn't likely to see his streak shut down for such a crucial fixture.

Arthur (CM) - On his one and only start under the new regime, Arthur did tee up more goals for the opposition than Juve, but he may be afforded another break as Allegri continues to search for his ideal combinations all over the pitch.

Weston McKennie (LM) - Hardly the conventional chalky boots winger, McKennie has been afforded more minutes than Adrien Rabiot, Rodrigo Bentancur or Federico Bernardeschi this season.

3. Forwards

Paulo Dybala (ST) - Clocking in at one goal or assist every 86 minutes across all competitions this term, getting the injury-prone Argentine on the pitch has proved fruitful for Juve so far.

Alvaro Morata (ST) - One of six different Juve players with a team-high two non-penalty Serie A goals this season, the perennially morose number nine hasn't netted domestically since consecutive games in September.

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