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Juventus projected lineup vs Chievo: Who will start in Ronaldo’s debut?

By John Vaccaro

TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 15: Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo during a Juventus training session at JTC on August 15, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 15: Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo during a Juventus training session at JTC on August 15, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 04: Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus during the International Champions Cup 2018 future between Real Madrid v Juventus at FedExField on August 4, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 04: Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus during the International Champions Cup 2018 future between Real Madrid v Juventus at FedExField on August 4, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Center Back- Giorgio Chiellini

Juve’s captain and one of the last remnants of the teams that got Juventus to their current elite status, Chiellini was always guaranteed a start in this spot. With Gianluigi Buffon and Claudio Marchisio no longer residing in Torino, Chiellini will now not only be counted on for his superb defending, but will also serve as the heart of Juventus.

Chiellini has been one of the best center backs in the world for years now and with his added importance to this Juventus game can be expected to start as long as he is healthy and not in need of a rest. Luckily, in the season opener he will have neither of those issues. Expect to see Chiellini with an added fire in the opener as he makes his first appearance as the new Juventus captain, an honor very few players have ever been as deserving of.

Center Back- Leonardo Bonucci

On the other end of the spectrum we have Leonardo Bonucci. While Bonucci possesses all of Chiellini’s talent, he showed over the last year that he lacks Chiellini’s class and loyalty. Even after playing a major role in 6 of Juve’s Scudetti fans were far from pleased with his return from AC Milan. Celebrating a goal for your former team’s rival in your former team’s home stadium will tend to have that effect on people.

Tactically it’s the right call. Bonucci is still at the top of his game. He remains one of the world’s best center backs. Even if the fans aren’t happy about his return, Bonucci will immediately improve Juve’s defense. He also adds an element Juventus really missed last year. Bonucci is an incredible passer out of the back. Some fans may never be able to get over Bonucci’s actions from last season, but as long as he’s at Juve he will make the team better.

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