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Predicted Juventus lineup vs Sassuolo: Caceres-Rugani pairing gets another shot

By John Vaccaro

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Juventus looks on as Gervinho of Parma celebrates with team mates after scoring the equalizing goal (3-3) during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on February 02, 2019 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Juventus looks on as Gervinho of Parma celebrates with team mates after scoring the equalizing goal (3-3) during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on February 02, 2019 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images) /
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TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Miralem Pjanic of Juventus competes for the ball with Simone Iacoponi of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on February 2, 2019 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Filippo Alfero – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Miralem Pjanic of Juventus competes for the ball with Simone Iacoponi of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on February 2, 2019 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Filippo Alfero – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /

CM: Miralem Pjanic

The return of Miralem Pjanic played a big part in fixing the midfield and attacking issues Juve experienced in the matches against Lazio and Atalanta. With Pjanic back pulling the strings Juve was constantly threatening against Parma and put on impressive attacking performance. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to fix Juve’s defensive issues, but if Juve gets into a shootout with Sassuolo then he’ll need to be at his absolute best to keep up the scoring in the match.

CM: Blaise Matuidi

Blaise Matuidi had an unusual game by his standards against Parma. He didn’t make much of an impact on the defensive end, but he provided the assist on Ronaldo’s first goal. This match should be the opposite situation for him as he will likely be stuck in a mostly defensive role against a Sassuolo team that is still dangerous in the attacking half even without Boateng. Matuidi will need to provide a lot of cover for the center backs in this match.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur

If Massimiliano Allegri has any sense Sami Khedira won’t get the 3rd starting spot in the midfield for Juventus. He nearly scored on 3 different occasions in the match against Parma, but was unable to actually finish any of his chances and did an awful job on the defensive end, leading to Parma’s first goal of the match. It’s that second part that is why Rodrigo Bentancur should be the starter against Sassuolo. Juventus is going to struggle defensively for as long as Caceres an Rugani are the starting center backs. Bentancur is a strong defensive player in the midfield that could help keep some pressure off of those two against Sassuolo. Starting both him and Matuidi could be what Juve needs to keep things together on the defensive end.

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