Juventus v Freiburg is a match in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 and is played on Thursday at 9pm: live TV, formations, predictions.
Two weeks ago, a sumptuous performance from Angel Di Maria allowed Juventus to dispel their fears and worries on the eve of the match and overcome Nantes (0-3) with relative ease in the return leg of the Europa League round of 16 play-off.
The Argentine, world champion, scored a hat-trick in a match that was dominated and already headed in the first half, thanks to a magic of the Fideo that gave the Bianconeri the lead after only five minutes of play: the expulsion of the yellow-green Pallois in the first half hour then did the rest. Having overcome the French obstacle, here is the German one. Massimiliano Allegri’s team in the round of 16 will have to face Freiburg, the fifth force in the Bundesliga and in full fight for a place in the top four. Not the worst opponent that could have come out of the Nyon urn, but certainly a tough nut to crack for the Old Lady. Which, in the light of what is happening in the championship, could decide to concentrate most of its efforts on the Europa League. In fact, Juventus have just been defeated by Roma (1-0) in a direct clash at the Stadio Olimpico: the Giallorossi have not only broken Bonucci and his team-mates’ run of four consecutive victories, but have also perhaps definitively dashed their hopes of getting back in the running for a Champions League place.
Juventus unbeaten since 2016 against German teams
There are now twelve points separating Juventus from fourth place. A situation that would be completely overturned if the Bianconeri win their appeal to the Collegio di Garanzia del Coni regarding the capital gains affair. Without the penalty Allegri and his men would be second on equal points with Inter, but for the moment we have to reckon with a bitter reality that sees Juve seventh in the standings and almost out of everything.
Grifo
Trying to win the Europa League now becomes a priority in order to secure a place in the next Champions League. Maximum attention will therefore be paid to the match against Freiburg, which they have never faced before. Led by Christian Streich since 2011, the team from the Black Forest city has been in the upper echelons of the Bundesliga standings for a couple of seasons now. In the league it tends to succumb in challenges with the big teams, but against equal or lesser opponents it rarely makes mistakes. The star is the Italian (born and raised football-wise in Germany) Vincenzo Grifo, who has been called up several times by Roberto Mancini in the national team. Freiburg won their group match unbeaten – coincidentally ahead of Nantes, who came second – and in the Bundesliga they come from two draws against Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach. Since the resumption of play after the World Cup break, the only defeats – heavy ones – have come against Wolfsburg (6-0) and Borussia Dortmund (5-1).
Streich may have to do without centre-forward Gregoritsch, who is out with tonsillitis: up front he will rely on the trident formed by Doan (in the running against Sallai), Holer and Grifo. Allegri, on the other hand, will replace the battered Alex Sandro with Rugani. In attack, Di Maria will have the task of inspiring Vlahovic, but Chiesa is also pushing for a starting jersey.
The Prediction
Juventus will do their best not to complicate their lives ahead of the return leg. Allegri does not want to repeat the mistake he made with Nantes, even if Freiburg’s squad seems to have more quality than that of the French, who only shot once on goal in Turin. In any case, the Bianconeri have not lost to German teams since 2016 and are favourites for victory. It cannot be ruled out that they also unblock from the offensive point of view – in this sense or data confirm a slight growth in the last matches – and that they manage to score at least two goals against a not irresistible defence.
The Juventus v Freiburg likely line-up
- JUVENTUS (3-4-3): Szczesny; Rugani, Bremer, Danilo; Cuadrado, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria, Vlahovic, Chiesa.
- FRIBURG (5-2-3): Flekken; Sildillia, Kubler, Ginter, Lienhardt, Günter; Eggestein, Höfler; Doan, Höler, Grifo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
