Juventus-Sporting CP is a match valid for the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals and is played Thursday at 9 p.m.: free-to-air TV, predictions.
The Europa League was supposed to be a pleasant diversion for Juventus, but as the rounds go by, things start to get more and more interesting.
The second-largest international competition, in which Massimiliano Allegri’s men were relegated after their failure in the Champions League, has acquired a different value after the heavy 15-point penalty that has upset the Bianconeri’s standings, putting qualification for the next Champions League at risk. This explains why so far Juventus, despite having to face other commitments – Szczesny and his teammates are still in the running for both fourth place and the Coppa Italia – has never snubbed this event. Which could represent a way to return to winning ways and lift a trophy after a year of total fasting. More importantly, any success would mean qualifying directly (and as the top seed) for the next Champions League. While waiting to see if the penalty will be confirmed or not – Wednesday 19 is the day of the long-awaited verdict of the Collegio di garanzia del Coni – the Bianconeri will measure themselves against Ruben Amorim’s fearsome Sporting CP in the quarterfinals.
Juve, the level rises in the quarters
In comparison with Nantes and Freiburg, who failed to trouble the team coached by the Livorno coach much in the play-offs and the round of 16, respectively, the level is raised considerably. Like Juve, the Lusitanians come from the Champions League and can count on a roster with a not inconsiderable technical rate.
Pedro Gonçalves
Amorim is a coach who likes to take the initiative and certainly doesn’t play a quit type of soccer. Juventus will have to keep well in mind the two “lessons” they remedied with Benfica in the fall, since Sporting, while not having the same quality as its cousins, adopts a similar philosophy. After scrambling the Danes of Midtjylland in the playoffs, the green-and-whites surprisingly took the scalp of Arsenal, one of the big favorites to win the Europa League. Two to two in Portugal and one to one in London, with the Lisbon club coming out on top in penalty kicks. In Primeira Liga, Sporting is momentarily fourth but still believes in third place, especially after the away success (3-4) against Casa Pia last Sunday. They have 11 useful results in a row: the last defeat was in mid-February against Porto. Juventus’ unbeaten streak on Saturday, on the other hand, was interrupted by their defeat in their direct clash with Lazio (2-1).
Ballot between Milik and Vlahovic
A setback, the one at the Olimpico, that did not allow the Lady Lady to recover further points on the fourth place, which remains at +8. Despite recent disappointments in the cup with Porto and Benfica, Juve has a favorable tradition with the Portuguese, with whom it has been unbeaten 14 times in 21 meetings.
There is only one precedent with Sporting, the one in the 2017-18 group stage: in Turin, the Bianconeri prevailed by a narrow margin, while in Portugal they settled for a draw. As for the lineup, Allegri finds the all-Brazilian defense again thanks to the recovery of Alex Sandro. Up front it is a ballot between Milik and Vlahovic, while the presence of Di Maria – the added value in this Europa League – is not in question. Possible bench for Pogba. Finally, two heavy absences for Amorim, who has to give up Bellerin and Paulinho. Trincao, Edwards and Nuno Santos will play in the attacking trident.
The prediction
Sporting’s characteristics – dribbling ability, search for spaces – could prove to be a problem for Juventus, which suffers from this type of team. On the other hand, the Bianconeri, who rely on the quality of individuals and a defense that concedes few goals, remain favorites and in the Stadium fortress they should come out on top, but it will by no means be a walk in the park. Amorim’s men are likely to score at least one goal, leaving everything open for the return leg.
The probable lineups of Juventus-Sporting CP
- JUVENTUS (3-5-1-1): Szczęsny; Danilo, Bremer, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostić; Di María; Vlahović.
- SPORTING CP (3-4-3): Adán; St. Juste, Coates, Inácio; Ricardo Esgaio, Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, Matheus Reis; Trincão, Edwards, Nuno Santos.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1