Juventus-Nantes is a match valid for the first leg of the play-offs for access to the round of 16 of the Europa League and is played on Thursday at 21:00: free TV, formations, predictions
The Europa League as a lifesaver in a season that will certainly go down in history as one of the most troubled ever for Juventus. For the first time in nine years, the Bianconeri missed out on the Champions League knockout phase for the first time in nine years, relegating to the less important competition, as they did in 2013-14 with Antonio Conte on the bench (at that time they stopped in the semi-finals).
This time Massimiliano Allegri is at the helm, a man who is not used to snubbing the cups. And he won’t do it this time either, especially after the heavy penalty of 15 points in the league that puts participation in the next Champions League at serious risk. Winning the Europa League would in fact mean having access to the cup with big ears through the front door: an opportunity not to be missed by Vlahovic and his teammates. Juventus are trying to react after the blow that fell on their heads a few weeks ago. And, after the missteps against Napoli, Atalanta and Monza, three consecutive victories between Coppa Italia and the championship (Lazio, Salernitana, Fiorentina) have arrived, in which the usual team has been seen to be sparing from the offensive point of view, but tremendously cynical, as shown by the fact that they have not conceded a single goal.
Nantes evokes good memories
The Bianconeri therefore head back to Europe looking to forget the disappointments of October, when they managed just three points in the group with Psg, Benfica and Maccabi Haifa, and went on to lose five of their six matches.
The exultation of Nantes’ Mohamed
Last November’s draw was by no means inclement for the team coached by the Livorno coach, who will have to overcome the Nantes hurdle to reach the round of 16. The yellow-greens, who returned to Europe thanks to their success in the Coupe de France, also evoke good memories for Juventus: the only previous encounter between the two teams dates back to the 1995-96 season, with the French being Madama’s opponents in the Champions League semi-final, later won on penalties against Ajax in the final at the Stadio Olimpico. Led by Antoine Kombouare, the former Psg coach, they are recovering after a complicated start and their only defeat in 2023 came at home against second-placed Marseille. On Sunday, however, Nantes recorded their second win in a row (1-0 against Lorient), invaluable in widening the gap to fourth-last place, which would mean relegation.
Juventus’ starting eleven should be different to the one seen on Sunday against Fiorentina: 3-5-1-1 with Di Maria behind Vlahovic. De Sciglio is likely to be confirmed on the right. In Nantes, Ganago is absent, struck by a terrible family bereavement. Kombouare will opt for a 4-2-3-1, with Guessand, Mollet and Blas supporting forward Mohamed. Former Nice player Delort, who arrived in the January market, is unavailable.
The prediction
Juventus have rediscovered a number of certainties, mainly in the non-possession phase, and should be able to keep their goals unbroken against an opponent who are not particularly accustomed to high scores. Bianconeri favourites in a match that will be very close and in which the total number of goals will be less than three.
The Juventus v Nantes likely line-up
- JUVENTUS (3-5-1-1): Szczesny; Rugani, Danilo, Bremer; De Sciglio, Fagioli, Paredes, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria; Vlahovic.
- NANTES (4-2-3-1): Lafont; Centonze, Girotto, Castelletto, Traore; Sissoko, Chirivella; Blas, Mollet, Guessand; Mohamed.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
