Wednesday evening sees Monaco host Juventus at Stade Louis-II for a crucial UEFA Champions League group phase encounter.
The Italian giants hold 15th position in the standings on 12 points and are riding high after three consecutive UCL triumphs over Pafos, Bodø/Glimt, and Benfica, capped by a 3-0 Serie A victory against titleholders Napoli that bolstered their push for the top four back home.
To have a chance of direct qualification for the last 16, Juventus must grab all three points in this closing league phase outing.
Monaco, meanwhile, can’t advance straight through even with victory, yet they’ll fight hard to dodge a loss that could jeopardise their survival in the competition.
Juventus team news
Luciano Spalletti’s squad heads to France in strong form, albeit without a few significant players. Adductor surgery rules out top scorer Dušan Vlahović, handing the central striker role to new arrival Jonathan David. Daniele Rugani misses out through calf trouble, joined on the sidelines by Arkadiusz Milik nursing ongoing knee woes.
Michele Di Gregorio is the No. 1 keeper, protected by a solid trio of Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly, while Andrea Cambiaso brings dynamism and crossing threat from the right flank.
Manuel Locatelli pairs with Képhren Thuram for midfield solidity, allowing Weston McKennie freedom higher up after netting in his past three European outings.
Kenan Yıldız stands out as a rising star up top, prompting Spalletti’s quip that the Turkey ace is “an alien,” even as he pushes for January reinforcements to deepen the forward options.
Jonathan David shone in the Benfica 2-0 win and Napoli 3-0 rout with goals and assists, earning mixed feedback from his boss: “He has quality, everyone can see that…but he needs more determination, more ferocity.”
Juventus predicted lineup
Possible Juventus starting XI: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David.
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Wednesday, 28th January.
How to watch Monaco vs Juventus?
UK viewers can catch Monaco vs Juventus live on TNT Sports or discovery+.
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