Juventus have finally reached the pinnacle of Serie A, standing atop the table for the first time this season. It’s been a long and frustrating campaign for the four-time defending champs, but a 15-game winning streak finally propelled them into first place, and now they’ve got their first challenge as the pinnacle of the league from Bologna.
Juventus vs. Bologna 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Juventus are playing as the first-place team in Serie A for the first time this season, and they’re facing Bologna on the road in what could be a tough match.
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The gialloblu have been on a good run of late as well, with three wins in their last five matches to rise up to 10th in the league. They had a dreadful start to the season, but a shock win over Napoli in December kick-started their season and saw them vastly improve. Are they good enough to stop Juventus’ winning streak, even at home? Probably not, no. But they can give the league leaders a heck of a fight, and if they can keep the run of play close, then anything can happen.
Key player -- Simone Zaza (Juventus)
Likely to get a start to allow one of Juventus’ primary strikers to rest ahead of their crucial Champions League match against Bayern Munich next week, Zaza’s confidence is running high after scoring the dramatic game-winning goal against Napoli that propelled Juventus into first place. If he can put on a show, his good form will make Max Allegri’s job in keeping his team rotated and fresh much easier over the next few weeks.
Key matchup -- Emanuele Giaccherini (Bologna) vs. Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus)
Former Juventus player Giaccherini has been a force for Bologna on the left wing in recent matches, scoring four goals over his last eight matches. Between that excellent form and his knowledge of many of Juventus’ key players from spending years playing alongside them, he’s going to be vital to Bologna’s hopes of winning the match. Of course, the man he’ll be facing down, Juventus right back Lichtsteiner, also knows Giaccherini quite well, and if anyone can keep him neutralized it’s the Swiss international.
Bologna injuries and suspensions
Out: Luca Rossettini In doubt: Antonio Mirante, Emil Krafth
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Giorgio Chiellini, Mario Madzukic, Martin Caceres In doubt: Juan Cuadrado, Leonardo Bonucci, Alex Sandro, Kwadwo Asamoah
Match Date/Time: Friday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. - English), beIN Sports en Español (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Calcio 1 (Italy), BT Sport Europe (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports, Fubo TV (U.S.), Sky Go Italia (Italy), BT Sport Live Streaming (U.K.)
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