Juventus’s only shot for a domestic trophy lies with Coppa Italia as they take on Lazio in a huge quarter-final clash. The winner of the tie will meet Inter in the semi-final tie of the competition.
The Bianconeri defeated Monza 2-1 in the previous round before losing to them in the league at the weekend while Lazio got past Bologna by a narrow 1-0 win.
JUV vs LAZ Match Details
Date: Thursday, 2 February 2023 / Friday, 3 February 2023
Time: 21:00 (CET) / 1:30 (IST)
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
JUV vs LAZ Match Preview
With 15 points deduction inflicted by the Federal Court of Appeal for serious evidence of inflating balance sheets, Juventus’ race for the top four places seems to be over with the side dropping from second to 13th in the league table as a result of it. They are now 14 points away from a European place. There have been reports of further punishments but the record Serie A winners are appealing the case while results on the pitch deteriorate. Since the verdict of the points deduction was made, the Bianconeri have drawn 3-3 with Atalanta and a shocking loss to 11th ranked Monza both at home to make matters far worse. The Biancorossi did the double over Juventus in the league but lost in the last round of the Coppa Italia against them. It has forced manager Maximiliano Allegri to concede that his side will fear relegation soon if results continue in the same fashion. Irrespective of the off-field issues, Juventus had an awful start to the 2022/23 league season and also dropped out from the group stages of the Champions League. Now, they have only Coppa Italia and the Europa League to fight for. At least, the domestic cup competition provides a steep battle in the quarterfinals against Lazio managed by Juve’s previous boss Maurizio Sarri. The meeting between the sides at Allianz Stadium ended with a 3-0 win to the home side in the league earlier in the season. However, it is unlikely the tie will be so straightforward this time around.
No doubt, Maurizio Sarri will be looking to seek revenge for that defeat against his previous employees with his Lazio team in a decent run of form since losing to Leece at the start of 2023. The Biancocelesti remain unbeaten in the last five games in all competitions which includes their 1-0 win against Bologna in the last 16 round of the Coppa Italia. The 4-0 thrashing of AC Milan last week was a peak performance but their 1-1 against Fiorentina in the next game dampened some of the celebratory moods from that win. Even though losses against Leece and Juventus away from home were not a good watch, Lazio maintained a credible record by winning five of the remaining seven games on the road in the league which they want to translate into the cup. The side from Rome though have not won against Juventus away since 2017 and also lost the last Coppa Italia meeting 2-0 in the same year. In three weeks’ time, they will be involved in the Europa Conference League tie against CFR Cluj so will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten streak ahead of the clash. Also, Lazio will not find a better time to face a Juventus side in crisis to keep their Coppa Italia hopes alive as well. Holders Inter will take notes from this clash as either of them will make a crunching semi-final fixture in April.
Recent Form (all competitions)
JUV: LDWLW
LAZ: DWWWD
JUV vs LAZ Team News
Paul Pogba has suffered another injury setback as manager Maximiliano Allergi confirmed the Frenchman will not be available for the midweek clash due to soreness in his flexors. There has been no return date mentioned but it is feared he will miss the next league match against Salernitana this weekend. He is joined by center-back Leonardo Bonucci on the sidelines who is still out for the long term. Juventus do have some positivity to look forward to as striker Dusan Vlahovic is set to return from his injury trouble and start a game for the first time this year. The Serbian played the last half-hour of the defeat against Monza three days ago.
Lazio completed the loan signing of Luca Pellegrini on the deadline day from the Old Lady of Turin but the left-back might not be involved against his parent club on Thursday. Striker Ciro Immobile is available again after an injury and made a substitute appearance in the draw against Fiorentina last weekend.
JUV vs LAZ Predicted Lineups
JUV: Mattia Perin; Federico Gatti Gleison Bremer, Danilo; Mattias Soule, Fagioli, Manuel Locatelli, Adrian Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria; Dusan Vlahovic
LAZ: Ivan Provedel; Manuel Lazzari, Patric, Alessio Romagnoli, Adam Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Danilo Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Pedro, Felipe Anderson, Mattia Zaccagni
JUV vs LAZ Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Provedel (7.5)
DEF: Danilo (9), Bremer (8), Romagnoli (8.5), Marusic (8)
MID: Pedro (8), Rabiot (8.5), Milinkovic-Savic (9)
FW: Di Maria (9), Anderson (9), Zaccagni (9)
Vice-captain: Felipe Andersen
Captain: Angel Di Maria
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