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Juventus projected lineup vs Manchester United: Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford

By John Vaccaro

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC) celebrates after scoring during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Turin, Italy.Final results: 1-1. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC) celebrates after scoring during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Turin, Italy.Final results: 1-1. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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Miralem Pjanic (Juventus FC) during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Final results: 1-1. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Miralem Pjanic (Juventus FC) during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Final results: 1-1. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur

This definitely wasn’t the plan for Juventus. Rodrigo Bentancur is a promising prospect that has shown flashes of the ability to be a regular starter at Juve, but he hasn’t shown that he’s ready to start these kinds of matches yet. However, karma has come around to punish Juventus. They wouldn’t be in this predicament if they hadn’t unceremoniously let Claudio Marchisio go on the last day of the summer transfer window. Now thanks to that move, an injury to Say Khedira, and Emre Can potentially needing surgery they only have 3 healthy midfielders on the roster. This means Bentancur will need to start this match. He could surprise me and prove he’s ready for this spot right now. Hopefully he does because this spot is really wide open for Juve right now.

CM: Miralem Pjanic

Pjanic had his best match of the season against Genoa, but Juve unfortunately squandered it. He made an absurd 9 key passes in this match and seemed to really take over in his role as a deep-lying playmaker. It was the type of performance that Juve has been waiting for all season and one that will give Juve hope that he will be able to create for them in this match. Pjanic in top form would be a major boost to Juve’s chances to win this match. They’ll be relying on him to open up space for the forwards and if he can do so successfully against United then we could see Juve clear atop Group H.

CM: Blaise Matuidi

Blaise Matuidi will have one of the most important roles in this match for Juventus. He will be tasked with slowing down Paul Pogba and the rest of the Manchester United midfield. If anybody can do it, it’s Matuidi. He has been a nuisance in the midfield all season, constantly preventing opposing teams from building out of the back by making interceptions before they can get their attack started.  He has also scored a couple of goals this season, but Juve will only care about his ability to neutralize Pogba. If Matuidi can make life difficult for Pogba then Juve’s quest for a 3rd consecutive Champions League clean sheet that much simpler.

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