Serie A | Gameweek 11

Nov 2, 2024 at 5pm UK

Global Energy Stadium

Udinese vs Juventus

Match preview

Once boasting one of the most solid defences in Serie A, conceding just one goal in their opening eight league games, Juventus have recently been found wanting at the back, resulting in a sharp drop in results.

After losing 1-0 to Stuttgart in the Champions League, the Bianconeri held Inter Milan to a dramatic 4-4 draw in the Derby d'Italia, although their remarkable second-half comeback masked some unusually shaky defending.

In the continued absence of injured centre-back Bremer, the Bianconeri were exposed again on Wednesday as newly promoted Parma found the net twice in Turin and needed two goals - from USA internationals Tim Weah and Weston McKennie - to salvage a point.

The result leaves Thiago Motta's side seven points adrift of leaders Napoli, who played out another goalless draw. Juventus have now drawn 16 of their last 30 league games, more than any other club in Europe's top five.

Indeed, another stalemate on Saturday would see them equal the club record of 17, set in 1956, but Motta will be determined to stop the trend and pick up maximum points.

Going into their final two games before the international break - away to Lille and then at home to city rivals Torino - Juve will be aiming for a 14th win in 18 league meetings with Udinese over the past decade.

In all, Udinese have lost 68 Serie A matches against Juventus - more than any other opponent - but they tasted success the last time the two sides met, recording a shock 1-0 win in Turin earlier this year.

Last week's win kept the in-form Friulians in the race with Napoli, alongside Lazio, Atalanta BC and Fiorentina, but they missed a golden opportunity to leapfrog Juve on points by losing on Wednesday.

After taking a two-goal lead over regional rivals Venezia thanks to early goals from Sandi Lovric and Iker Bravo, the Bianconeri saw their advantage evaporate: Isaak Toure's red card proved costly, as the hosts converted two penalties en route to an improbable 3-2 victory.

Despite cursing his side's luck at the Stadio Penzo, head coach Kosta Runjaic can still claim a positive start to his tenure in Udine.

The former Legia Warsaw boss, who spent the majority of his career in Germany, inherited a side that had just teetered on the brink of relegation, but they are now five points clear of champions Inter with over a quarter of the season played.

Recent Performance

Udinese Serie A form:LLWLWL

Udinese form (all competitions):WLWLWL

Juventus Serie A form:DWDWDD

Juventus form (all competitions):WDWLDD

Team News

Juventus coach Thiago Motta could make a handful of changes to his side this weekend amid a busy fixture schedule, with Derby d'Italia star Kenan Yildiz and fit-again midfielder Teun Koopmeiners in contention for starts.

While long-term absentees Bremer and Arkadiusz Milik are unavailable, Nico Gonzalez is close to a comeback and Douglas Luiz could be back in contention after recovering from a thigh problem.

With few alternatives, Dusan Vlahovic - Juve's top scorer in Serie A with six goals - is rarely rested and will continue to lead the line up front.

Meanwhile, Udinese were without Florian Thauvin, Alexis Sanchez, Thomas Kristensen and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp in midweek, but the latter could return to the side on Saturday.

Isaak Toure's dismissal against Venezia will see him suspended, opening the door for Christian Kabasele to return to the heart of the defence.

In attack, Juventus forward Lorenzo Lucca should be partnered by either Keinan Davis or Iker Bravo, while fellow strikers Sanchez and Thauvin remain on the sidelines.

Possible starting lineups

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Kabasele, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Zarraga, Zemura; Bravo; Lucca

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Cambiaso, Kalulu, Gatti, Cabal; Locatelli, McKennie; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Weah; Vlahovic