With the return leg of the Europa League semifinal against Benfica just a few days away, Sassuolo might have some chance of getting a result here. After all, Juve are a goal down and would love to reach the final in their home stadium - and perhaps compensate for crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage.
Sassuolo vs. Juventus: Preview and TV Schedule
A result against the nearly-crowned champions just might save Sassuolo’s season, but their long list of missing players makes such an event even less likely than usual.
However, Sassuolo would probably prefer if Juventus had already secured the scudetto. After beating Milan on Friday, Roma are just five points back of the Old Lady. That means the visitors are unlikely to be gentle, as they can’t afford any missteps in their scudetto challenge.
With an eye toward reaching that Europa final, Antonio Conte might rest a couple of players against the neroverdi. But does it really help Sassuolo much if, instead of the injured Arturo Vidal, they face Claudio Marchisio? If Martin Caceres steps in for Andrea Barzagli, who picked up a minor injury? Or if Conte decides to rest Carlos Tévez, giving a start to Sebastian Giovinco instead? Well, considering Tévez scored a hat-trick in the reverse 4-0 win in December, it might help a bit. But considering the number of players Sassuolo have missing, even a weakened Juve side is not likely to help them much. Matteo Brighi and Luca Marrone are in doubt, Simone Missiroli and Davide Biondini are suspended, and so Eusebio Di Francesco might have to use Reto Ziegler, a wing back, in central midfield. Add to that another suspension, that of Domenico Berardi, the most talented player with the neroverdi, and you get the picture - Sassuolo need a miracle to get at least a point.
That miracle, though, could be what saves Sassuolo. They’re currently above the relegation zone, even on points with Bologna but, should they maintain the same number of points, on track to remain in Serie A. With games against Fiorentina, Genoa, and Milan remaining, maintaining their momentum by getting a result against Juventus may be the only hope for the neroverdi.
Sassuolo injuries and suspensions
Luca Marrone, Matteo Brighi, Francesco Acerbi, Thomas Manfredini, Marius Alexe (injured), Lorenzo Ariaudo, Nicola Sansone, Paolo Bianco (in doubt); Domenico Berardi, Simone Missiroli, Davide Biondini (suspended)
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Arturo Vidal, Andrea Barzagli (injured)
Projected line ups
Sassuolo (4-3-3): Gianluca Pegolo; Alessandro Longhi, Luca Antei, Paolo Cannavaro, Marcello Gazzola; Reto Ziegler, Francesco Magnanelli, Yussie Chibsah; Gaetano Masucci, Simone Zaza, Antonio Floro Flores
Juventus (3-5-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Martin Caceres; Federico Peluso, Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba; Sebastian Giovinco, Fernando Llorente
Match date/time
Monday, April 28 at 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue
Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia
TV
beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español, RAI International (USA), BT Sport 1 (UK), Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, Premium Calcio, Sky Calcio 1, Sky Supercalcio HD (Italy)
Online
beIN Sports Play, bet365.com
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