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Juventus projected lineup vs Udinese: Juventus stands by Ronaldo

By John Vaccaro

Parma v Juventus - Serie ACristiano Ronaldo of Juventus after a missed goal at Ennio Tardini Stadium in Parma, Italy on September 1, 2018(Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Parma v Juventus - Serie ACristiano Ronaldo of Juventus after a missed goal at Ennio Tardini Stadium in Parma, Italy on September 1, 2018(Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 02: Moise Kean of Juventus in action during the Group H match of the UEFA Champions League between Juventus and BSC Young Boys on October 2, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 02: Moise Kean of Juventus in action during the Group H match of the UEFA Champions League between Juventus and BSC Young Boys on October 2, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo

I don’t have the slightest idea how prepared Cristiano Ronaldo is to start a competitive match right now, but Juve has made it clear they stand behind him. That means he is just about guaranteed a starting spot in this match. I don’t know if he should be. That’s somebody else’s call to make. However, I do know that if he’s out on the field he’ll be the key to this Juve attack breaking through the Udinese defense. He may not be mentally ready for this one, but if his incredible performance against Napoli is any indication, he’s definitely in form right now.

ST: Moise Kean

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This one might be wishful thinking. Moise Kean has only made one appearance this season, but that appearance was on Tuesday. Mario Mandzukic was rested 10 days ago against Bologna, but Juve should take this opportunity to give him a long rest before the schedule ramps up again after the international break. Kean also needs to start getting some time at Juve to break into the Italian national team. The striking positions on that team are wide open because, let’s face it, the Italy’s strikers have been abysmal in international matches recently. His U19 teammate Nicolo Zaniolo was already called up during the last international break. Juve needs to give Kean some opportunities to earn a spot with team Italy for the next set of UEFA Nations League matches.

RW: Federico Bernardeschi

I know a lot of people will be surprised not to see Paulo Dybala’s name listed here, but Federico Bernardeschi has earned a starting place. In spite of Bernardeschi repeatedly impressing early on this season, he has only started one of Juve’s last 4 matches. Dybala was given the start in each of those matches so he could probably use a day off even if Bernardeschi hadn’t been so incredible this season. Juve has been so busy trying to get one young star back in form that they’ve mostly neglected another one.

Next. Juventus and Napoli combined 11: The best of Serie A. dark

Bernardeschi needs to be featured more often and I really hope Juve gives him a chance to impress yet again in this match.

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