Europa League table-toppers Juventus are set to host French side Rennes at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday as they look to bounce back from their league defeat and maintain their positive momentum in the Europa League.
Juventus vs Rennes – Match preview and team news
- Date: Thursday, 23rd October.
- Kick-off: 5:45pm BST.
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Torino.
Juventus team news
Bianconeri’s problems worsened during their final training session at Continassa. Francisco Conceição, Kamil Grabara, Khéphren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Jeff Ekhator, and Kenan Yıldız were all ruled out due to various physical issues.
Despite missing a massive portion of his core squad, Spalletti remains resolute about his attacking strategy and confirmed that Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade will lead the line together.
Edon Zhegrova is unavailable because he was omitted from Juventus’s registered Europa League squad list.
Juventus is expected to play in a 3-4-2-1 formation, relying heavily on the creativity of Kerim Ajazbegovic and Weston McKennie to support the front line and break down their French opponents.
Rennes team news
Stade Rennais travels to Turin dealing with a massive tactical blow to their attacking frontline. Manager Franck Haise confirmed that Ligue 1’s current top scorer, Estéban Lepaul, has been completely ruled out of the clash after sustaining a severe ankle injury.
Lepaul’s absence is a devastating loss for Rennes, particularly given his spectacular recent form, which included scoring a penalty hat-trick against Paris FC just before this continental fixture.
To fill the void left by their star striker, Haise is expected to turn to the experienced Boulaye Dia to spearhead the attack as the central striker. Dia will be flanked by the dynamic duo of Ludovic Blas and Issa Soumare, who will look to use their pace on the counter-attack. Operating in a 4-3-3 system, Rennes aims to exploit Juventus’s heavily depleted midfield and defence to secure a crucial away result.
Form
Juventus
Juventus comes into this fixture searching for consistency after a stinging 3-0 weekend loss against Lazio dented their confidence. Before that domestic setback, the Bianconeri had shown their fighback spirit with 2-1 comeback win against Celta Vigo in their Europa League encounter. Spalletti’s squad is eager to use the continental stage to bounce back immediately, steady their form, and establish a dominant rhythm in the Europa League phase at home.
Rennes
Stade Rennais head into tonight’s clash sitting on a respectable four points in Europe, remaining unbeaten after drawing 0–0 with Sturm Graz and edging out OFI Crete 2–1. Statistically, they boast one of the competition’s tightest defensive expected-goals records. Yet, their domestic form remains a chaotic, unpredictable rollercoaster. While Franck Haise’s side recently thrashed Auxerre 4–1, they are reeling from a frantic 4–3 loss to Paris FC and a heavy 4–0 defeat at Lyon.
Predicted lineups
Juventus: Vicario; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Celik, Luiz, Sarr, Cambiaso; McKennie, Alajbegovic; Woltemade
Rennes: Samba; Reynolds, Cresswell, Ait Boudlal, Nagida; Szymanski, Rongier, Camara; Blas, Dia, Soumare
How to watch Juventus vs Rennes?
The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 5.
Read Also – Europa League Predictions – Tips & Stats
See More – Conference League Predictions – Tips & Stats
Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube