Juventus-Benfica is a match valid for the second day of the group stage of the Champions League and is played on Wednesday at 21:00
Massimiliano Allegri had it right. “If we want to be realistic, the most important games of our group stage will be those with Benfica,” had been the Livorno coach’s controversial statement prior to the Parc des Princes clash with Psg. Almost an admission of inferiority that of the Juventus coach against the Parisians, which did not go down well with a large section of the fans.
And indeed the result a week ago in the French capital (2-1) confirmed the existence of a gap – even an important one – against Mbappé and his team-mates, who remain the unquestionable favourites for first place in the group. But Juventus’ reaction in the second half, after having returned to the locker room two goals down and the sensation of a goleada, bodes well. The Bianconeri first shortened the gap through newcomer McKennie, then repeatedly made themselves dangerous in front of Donnarumma’s goal, coming close to a resounding equaliser. Now it will be crucial to beat the Lusitanians in the two crucial matches in Turin and Lisbon. In fact, Benfica currently have the same points as PSG in the standings, thanks to the – predictable – success obtained on their debut against the Israelis of Maccabi Haifa, beaten 2-0 with goals from Grimaldo and Rafa Silva.
A match to be won at all costs, then, a few days after yet another draw (2-2) with Salernitana, the fourth of the season. The match against the Granata might have left an aftermath because of the ‘bullfight’ that broke out at the end of the match, when the 3-2 goal was first validated and then annulled for the Polish Milik for an alleged offside by Bonucci. Roger Schmidt’s red-and-whites, on the other hand, continued to fly: on Saturday they won by a narrow margin against Famalicao, remaining full points in the Primeira Liga and bringing home another success. Benfica have known no other result since the new season began.
Grimaldo and Fernandez
The latest Juventus training news
In his press conference Allegri announced the absences of Alex Sandro, Rabiot and Locatelli, while Di Maria is recovered but will play a maximum of one half. A real emergency in the middle of the pitch, where Pogba has been unavailable for some time. Szczesny could return, but the coach is in no hurry given Perin’s good performance.
The prediction
This will be a real “battle” with Benfica, a team in good health and with a visiting card of eleven victories in as many matches, with twenty-eight goals scored. A potentially balanced match in which it would not be surprising if both teams managed to find the way of the goal.
Juventus v Benfica likely line-up
- JUVENTUS (4-3-3): Perin; Danilo, Bonucci, Bremer, De Sciglio; McKennie, Paredes, Miretti; Milik, Vlahović, Kostić.
- BENFICA (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, António Silva, Grimaldo; Florentino, Fernández; David Neres, Rafa Silva, João Mário; Gonçalo Ramos.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
