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Juventus projected lineup vs Parma: Ronaldo continues pursuit of first goal

By John Vaccaro

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC) during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on august 25, 2018 in Turin, Italy.Juventus FC won 2-0 over SS Lazio. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC) during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on august 25, 2018 in Turin, Italy.Juventus FC won 2-0 over SS Lazio. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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VERONA, ITALY – AUGUST 18: Mario Mandzukic of Juventus appeals during the Serie A match between Chievo Verona and Juventus at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on August 18, 2018 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
VERONA, ITALY – AUGUST 18: Mario Mandzukic of Juventus appeals during the Serie A match between Chievo Verona and Juventus at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on August 18, 2018 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /

Left Wing: Mario Mandzukic

Mario Mandzukic is Juve’s most relentless player. He never stops running and is constantly getting back to help defend when Juventus loses the ball. He brought a new energy to Juve against Lazio and was eventually rewarded with an easy opportunity to score his first goal of the season in the second half.

He was visibly limping in the second half of that game, which could put his spot in jeopardy, but if he is healthy he more than earned this start with his last performance. Juventus might take a cautious approach and give Mandzukic the game off so he can rest all the way through the international break. If that’s the case then Douglas Costa would get the start here, but I think Juve will use Mandzukic’s size to create a mismatch on the left side.

Attacking Midfielder: Paulo Dybala

Paulo Dybala needs to start putting on impressive performances soon to secure his spot with Juventus. The rumor about him being sold to Real for 180 million euros turned out to not be true, but if he doesn’t give Juventus a reason to pick him over the 4-3-3 his sale could become a reality in the next couple of transfer windows. He was a non-factor against Chievo and was benched the game after that.

Dybala will be given the chance to impress against Parma as Allegri like won’t feel it’s necessary to use the 4-3-3 against Parma. Having a player of Dybala’s quality in form is always beneficial ,so we can expect Allegri to give him as many chances as possible against lesser competition. Dybala will start against Parma and he will need to play well in this one.

Right Wing: Federico Bernardeschi

Massimiliano Allegri is going to have a tough choice to make every week when he needs to pick a right wing. Douglas Costa looked to be the clear choice to start the season. but Bernardeschi has been fantastic in the first two games. He was directly responsible for two goals in the opener and then sent in the cross that led to Pjanic’s goal against Lazio.

Bernardeschi’s hustle and beautiful crosses have impressed so far this season. For now it should be enough for him to hold down this spot, but he will have Costa and Juan Cuadrado right on his heels all season, waiting for him to slip up.

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