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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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Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) heads the ball to score past AC Milan’s Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (R) during their Supercoppa Italiana final between Juventus and AC Milan at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on January 16, 2019. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) heads the ball to score past AC Milan’s Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (R) during their Supercoppa Italiana final between Juventus and AC Milan at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on January 16, 2019. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) /

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo

Juve absolutely could not have asked for any more from Cristiano Ronaldo than what they got against Parma. He scored 2 goals and assisted the other goal Juve scored in a performance that should have been enough for Juve to win the match. Unfortunately, it didn’t end up getting Juve 3 points thanks to their defensive struggles. Against Sassuolo Ronaldo might have to somehow be even better if those defensive issues aren’t fixed. If the Parma match was any indication then Ronaldo is peaking at just the right time as he has done year after year for the Champions League.

ST: Mario Mandzukic

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Mario Mandzukic returned to the lineup against Parma and it clearly lifted the Juve attack and the team as a whole. He provided an assist in the match and sent in the cross that led to Daniele Rugani’s goal. He once again showed that even when he doesn’t score he is a valuable asset for Juve because his hustle and unselfishness. If Juve is going to chase a Champions League title then they’ll need Mandzukic to be healthy and at his best and they’ll need that on Sunday to beat Sassuolo.

RW: Federico Bernardeschi

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Paulo Dybala get the start on the right wing, but there’s a chance he’s punished for leaving the bench early during the loss to Parma. If he’s punished Juventus only actually has one option available right now as Juan Cuadrado is injured and Douglas Costa is both injured and in the dog house. That leaves Federico Bernardeschi, who would be a better option than Dybala even if Dybala weren’t in trouble. Bernardeschi has played well when given opportunities to start on the wing, especially in his first start of 2019 against Chievo. He also helped lead the comeback win against Lazio in his 30 minute substitute appearance.

Juventus had problems long before the trip to Rome. dark. Next

Juve needs their attack to be firing on all cylinders until the back line is healthy and Bernardeschi will make sure it is.

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