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Predicted Juventus lineup vs Roma: Ronaldo looks to dispatch Roma with 3rd team

By John Vaccaro

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC) scores the penalty of the victory during the Serie A football match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Olympic Grande Torino Stadium on December 15, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Torino lost 0-1 against Juventus. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC) scores the penalty of the victory during the Serie A football match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Olympic Grande Torino Stadium on December 15, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Torino lost 0-1 against Juventus. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic (5) in action during the Serie A football match n.16 TORINO – JUVENTUS on 15/12/2018 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Turin, Italy.(Photo by Matteo Bottanelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic (5) in action during the Serie A football match n.16 TORINO – JUVENTUS on 15/12/2018 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Turin, Italy.(Photo by Matteo Bottanelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

CM: Miralem Pjanic

Miralem Pjanic was once again unable to register an assist for Juventus last weekend, but this time around it wasn’t his fault. Pjanic delivered a beautiful free kick that Mario Mandzukic managed to put past Torino’s keeper for what seemed like the second goal of the match, but unfortunately Ronaldo was called offside to negate a Juve goal for the second time in a week. This was the type of incisive pass that had been missing from Pjanic for stretches of the season. We’ll get to see if it starts a trend against his former squad, a team whose defense has made everybody look good this season.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur

After serving his one game suspension for yellow card accumulation we will get to see Rodrigo Bentancur reclaim the starting spot he has earned this season. His complete game has given Juventus a dimension they lacked with Sami Khedira starting in the midfield and it should be something that keeps Bentancur in the starting lineup even with Emre Can making his return from thyroid surgery. At only 21 years old Bentancur is likely far from a finished product and the match against Roma will be another where fans can enjoy watching him continue to progress.

CM: Blaise Matuidi

Blaise Matuidi was solid defensively yet again in the Derby della Mole and we should expect nothing else when he starts against Roma on Saturday. He’ll need to be as pesky as ever against Roma to slow down their attack that seems to finally be coming together. Roma has had matches this season where they have struggled to score because their midfield has been able to maintain possession of the ball and push forward. Stopping opponents from enjoying long spells of possession is Matuidi’s specialty. If he does his thing against Roma then it will be a long day for the Giallorossi.

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