Sevilla vs Juventus: Preview and Projected Lineups

The injury hit Juventus visit Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to battle Sevilla for the first place in Group H

Arguably the biggest match up of today’s Champions League games will take place in the south of Spain as the Italian champions Juventus will take on high-flying Sevilla.

Sevilla are currently on the top of the table in Group H standings, and they are two points ahead of the second place Juventus. This match could be a decisive factor in who finishes on top when the group play ends.

Jorge Sampaoli has the Andalusians flying high this season. They are on third of the table in La Liga with only two points behind the second place Barcelona. They will also come into this game in a good form, as they have only lost once in their last five matches while drawing once and winning three times, including a home win over Atletico Madrid.

They have also proved to be a team that does not give up until the final whistle with some remarkable come backs wins against Deportivo La Coruna, Leganes, and Las Palmas. In all three games, they scored twice in last five minutes to earn victories.

Juventus, meanwhile, are comfortably leading Serie A with seven points over the second place Roma. They have only lost twice this season, both coming in away trips to Inter and Milan. However, they failed to beat Lyon in the last Champions League match day at home and now find themselves struggling to reach the top spot in the group. They will need to go all out to earn three points today.

Sampaoli has called up 20 players for today’s game, including the French midfielder Samir Nasri who missed out the weekend game due to a hamstring problem. While Timothée Kolodziejczak, Michael Krohn-Dehli, Beniot Tremoulinas, David Soria, and Carlos Fernandez are not in the squad due to injuries.

On the other hand, the away side is facing an attacking crisis coming into this match. Because of Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain injuries, Juve are only left with Mario Mandzukic and the 16-year-old Moise Kean as two recognizable forwards. Other notable absentees for Bianconeri include Medhi Benatia, Andrea Barzagli, and Marko Pjaca while coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that the veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini will start the game from the bench after just returning from an injury.

The home side will look to play an attacking game with a heavy pressing and possession based style. Their constant movements across the pitch can trouble the weakened Juve, especially their back line which will feature a young Daniele Rugani. They will also try to make the game as fast and aggressive as possible with the fierce home supporters behind them to create a frustrating atmosphere for the opposition.

While the away side will have to make some changes and rotate the squad for this game. Due to injuries to multiple key players, they will likely field a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 line up with just one striker up top. They will try to sit back and look for counters with speedy wingers like Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro.

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Overall, Sevilla have all the advantages for this match up. They have only lost once at home this season, while winning all the home matches including key victories over Atletico Madrid and Lyon. Juve have also proved to be struggling in big away games and their injuries do not help the cause either. The last time they met in Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan ended as a 1-0 win for the home side and the same scoreline will likely repeat today.

Projected Lineups

Sevilla (3-5-2) – Sergio Rico; Pareja, Rami, Mercado; Escudero, Franco Vasquez, N’Zonzi, Nasri, Mariano; Vitolo, Vietto.

Juventus (4-5-1) – Buffon; Evra, Rugani, Bonucci. Dani Alves; Alex Sandro, Khedira, Marchisio, Pjanic, Cuadrado; Mandzukic.

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