90min

The Juventus XI That Should Start Against Lyon

By Max Haley

Juventus won the league this season, now all eyes are on the Champions League.
Juventus won the league this season, now all eyes are on the Champions League. / Stefano Guidi/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

Juventus host Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Friday night.

The Italian champions are 1-0 down and face a tough task against a well-rested Lyon side who completely outplayed La Vecchia Signora back in February.

Here is the Juventus XI that Maurizio Sarri should field to turn the tie around.

1. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Wojciech Szczęsny is now a world class goalkeeper.
Wojciech Szczęsny is now a world class goalkeeper. / Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

Wojciech Szczęsny (GK)- Since joining in 2017, Szczęsny has become Juventus' first-choice 'keeper, developing into one of the best goalkeepers in world football. The Pole should start ahead of Gianluigi Buffon in this game.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) - With Mattia De Sciglio out injured and Danilo failing to nail down a starting position, Cuadrado has found his way into the Juventus team as a full back this season.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - Since the injury to Giorgio Chiellini, Bonucci has developed a solid partnership with Matthijs de Ligt in the heart of the defence.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - The Dutch defender struggled initially after joining from Ajax, but since the turn of the year he has looked much more assured and has continued to develop into one of the very best defenders in Europe.

Alex Sandro (LB) - Sandro has struggled this season but Juventus have no real alternative at left back so he will start.

2. Midfielders

Rabiot has been exceptional recently
Rabiot has been exceptional recently / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) - The Uruguayan is one of the best young midfielders in world football and he has cemented a place in Juventus' midfield this season.

Miralem Pjanic (CM) - Pjanic could be playing his last game for Juventus as he has agreed to join Barcelona next season. He could be the key to unlocking Lyon's defence here though, so he should start.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) - This role in Juventus' midfield has been up for grabs all season, but recently Rabiot has finally started to impress so he deserves to start this one.

3. Forwards

Ronaldo scored 31 Serie A goals this season.
Ronaldo scored 31 Serie A goals this season. / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Federico Bernardeschi (RW) - The Italian's time at Juve looks like it may be coming to an end, but in the meantime he will be solely focussed on getting his team through to the next round.

Gonzalo Higuain (ST) - Sarri's best bud, Higuain has played some of the best football of his career under the Italian but he hasn't been able to recreate that form this season. He'll only start because Dybala has a thigh problem.

Cristiano Ronaldo (LW) - Some people have said that Ronaldo has had an underwhelming season, but the legendary forward has still scored 31 goals and won a league title. He'll look to prove the doubters wrong by carrying his team to a Champions League triumph.