If you want an example of the oddity of Serie A this season -- where the unexpected has almost been normal -- you need look no further than this match. There have been dramatic changes in fortune and standing in Italy this season, and both Atalanta and Juventus exemplify that in a big, big way.
Juventus vs. Atalanta 2015 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Will Juventus keep getting their form back on track, or will Atalanta continue their surprisingly strong start?
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Atalanta, a team that flirted with relegation two of the last three seasons and have been consistently mediocre for several seasons, are in eighth place. More than that, they’re only one point behind fourth-place Napoli and four points out of first. Juventus, the four-time defending Serie A champs, are in 15th place, five points behind Atalanta.
It’s been a truly bizarre season, and one that can still get stranger if Atalanta can find a way to win this match. It’s entirely possible we could see that happen given the teams Juventus have struggled against, even if the bianconeri have looked better of late. If they can continue that improvement, though, and beat Atalanta, that could be the first sign of sanity starting to return to the league -- but really, who wants to see Serie A get sane? This league is at its best when its gone crazy, and this season has definitely been that.
Key player -- Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)
Marchisio finally returned to health recently, and with that Juventus’ midfield became much stronger and more balanced. His quality and sky-high work rate were badly missed. While the results still aren’t quite there yet for Juventus since he’s come back, they’ve looked much closer to the team that won four straight Serie A titles than the team that struggled out of the gate without Marchisio. If he plays well today, it’s going to make it much easier for them to win this match and start getting their momentum headed in the right direction again.
Key Matchup -- Andrea Barzagli (Juventus) vs. Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta)
Barzagli has been very good for Juventus of late, helping stabilize a defense that was leaking too many goals. For as good as he’s been lately, though, Barzagli is a player who’s always got the potential to turn in a real clunker of a performance, and he’s struggled against Pinilla before. Coming off a huge performance against Carpi last weekend, Pinilla’s got to be eager to face off with Barzagli again to see if he can overcome the veteran defender -- again.
Atalanta injuries and suspensions
Out: Marcelo Estigarribia, Emanuele Suagher
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Martin Caceres, Stephan Lichtsteiner
Atalanta’s injury concerns aren’t too bad right now, and while Juventus’ injury woes are much improved, they’re still without a healthy natural right back with Caceres and Lichtsteiner out. If there’s one huge advantage that Atalanta can try to work in this match, that’s going to be their spot to pick.
Match date/time: Sun., 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (US & Canada), Premium Calcio, Sky Calcio 1 (Italy), ESPN UK (U.K.)
Online: Fubo TV, beIN Sports Connect (US & Canada), Sky Go Italia (Italy)
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