Juventus-Sevilla is a match valid for the first leg of the Europa League semifinals and is played Thursday at 9 p.m.: free-to-air TV, lineups, predictions.
In one of the most turbulent seasons in its history, the only satisfactions for Juventus could come precisely from the Europa League, a competition in which the Bianconeri have suddenly found themselves catapulted after the resounding and unexpected elimination in the group stage of the Champions League, finishing third behind Psg and Benfica and therefore “relegated. “
Massimiliano Allegri’s team, just like in their last participation – it was 2014 and Antonio Conte was still on the bench – never gave the feeling of wanting to “snub” the event. And, having played six matches since last February to date, it has landed in the semifinals, where it will face Sevilla, a true specialist of this cup, lifted six times in the past two decades. Winning the Europa League, in light of what has happened off the field since November, is likely to be the only way to win a place in the next Champions League. In all likelihood, in fact, Juventus will be given a new penalty before the end of the championship, and the chances are very high that it will remain outside the top four, despite its current second place. Allegri, moreover, is aware of how important it is to return to lift a trophy: in the event that the Europa League also fades away, the Old Lady’s title fast would be lengthened by another year. The Livorno-born coach therefore goes all-in on the second most important continental event. Also with the aim of putting behind him ill-feeling and fears about the well-known extra-football affairs.
Juventus, all about the Europa League
On their way, the Bianconeri met Nantes, Freiburg and Sporting CP. Juventus eliminated the first two with minimal effort, not particularly shining but relying on the individuality of its best players and a good dose of cynicism.
Mendilibar and Fernando
More complicated, on the other hand, is the double challenge with the Portuguese, who in the first leg wasted so many goal-balls, gracing Allegri’s men several times. In the return leg, in Portugal, the defensive system of Bonucci and his teammates (1-1) passed thanks to Gatti’s goal in the first leg match, has all in all held up. Juve comes to the first round of the semifinal after two straight league victories against Lecce and Atalanta, in which the attack has come back to prominence: the Bianconeri have never scored less than two goals, two of which were scored by the revived Vlahovic. According to bookmakers, Juventus will start with the odds against Sevilla, although the Spaniards, if only because of the mystique that ties them to this competition, cannot be taken lightly.
Sevilla has been reborn with Mendilibar
Despite a disastrous La Liga, in which they ended up fighting not to be relegated, the red and white still have a chance to return to lift “their” cup after three years since the last time. In the quarterfinals they took the scalp of heavily favored Manchester United (2-2 in the first leg and 3-0 in the return in Spain).
Big credit is due to coach Jose Luis Mendilibar, who arrived last March to replace the exonerated Sampaoli. With him at the helm, Sevilla has been reborn and has started grinding out points in the league as well: the Andalusians have won four of their last five matches, even getting back in the running for a place in Europe. Formations chapter: Allegri has to do without only De Sciglio and up front, behind Vlahovic, he will deploy Di Maria; four absentees instead for Mendilibar (Corona, Nianzou, Jordan and Marcao), who should re-propose the 4-2-3-1 with Fernando and Rakitic in the midfield and En-Nesyri in attack.
The Prediction
There are four previous meetings between Juventus and Sevilla, all staged in the Champions League between 2015-16 and 2016-17. The Bianconeri have won two of them and remained unbeaten at home. The Andalusians, on the other hand, each time they finished in the top four at the end in this cup, they always lifted the trophy. Allegri’s team will be looking to take advantage of the home factor to guarantee themselves an advantage ahead of the return leg, in a stadium where Sevilla in the knockout stage scored eight goals in total without conceding a single one. So we will not see a surrendering Juve: Bianconeri favored in a match of less than three goals overall, a sign seen very often at the Stadium.
The probable lineups of Juventus-Sevilla
- JUVENTUS (3-5-1-1): Szczęsny; Danilo, Bremer, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostić; Di María; Vlahović.
- SWIFE (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Jesus Navas, Badé, Gudelj, Acuña; Fernando, Rakitić; Ocampos, Óliver Torres, Lamela; En-Nesyri.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
