Juventus started the season dreadfully, but a long unbeaten run has seen them climb back atop Serie A. Of course, unbeaten runs only start after getting beaten, and Sassuolo were the last team in league action in Italy to hand Juventus a loss. The four-time defending scudetto champions will be eager to get their revenge and show just how far they’ve come over the last few months, and an emphatic win at home over the last team who beat them will be the perfect way to do that.
Juventus vs. Sassuolo 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Sassuolo were the last team to beat Juventus in the league, and Juventus will be itching to set the record straight.
Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images
Sassuolo have been on an excellent run themselves, however, winning their last three, going unbeaten in five, and keeping two straight clean sheets in 2-0 wins over tough opponents in Lazio and AC Milan. The neroverdi are an oft-overlooked team in Serie A, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re a very talented team capable of doing a lot of damage to a team that doesn’t take them seriously enough. Juventus learned that the hard way in October -- if they’re not careful, they could learn that lesson again on Friday.
Key player -- Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)
Many are presuming that Berardi will be joining Juventus next summer, making this match something of an informal audition. After all, if he can impress in a game against the best defense in Italy, he can certainly play at the level the bianconeri would need him to. Of course, the weight of that expectation could just as easily leave him overwhelmed and underperforming, and that would give Juventus pause considering how much they would need him for the numerous “big game” situations they’re in.
Key matchup -- Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus) vs. Nicola Sansone (Sassuolo)
Along with Berardi, Sassuolo’s attack thrives on his fellow winger Sansone. While he’s not the fastest or the trickiest, Sansone’s non-stop motor and tactical smarts lets him get the most out of his skillset and then some, something which could prove troublesome for Juventus. Lichtsteiner has proved vulnerable at times over the years to guys who just keep coming at him over and over, and if anyone could use that to find an opening, it’s Sansone. If he can get the better of Lichtsteiner, it’s going to make Juventus’ day much tougher.
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Martin Caceres In doubt: Giorgio Chiellini, Stefano Sturaro
Sassuolo injuries and suspensions
Out: Guy Defrel, Simone Missiroli, Paolo Cannavaro, Karim Laribi
Match Date/Time: Friday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (U.S.), Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sports 1 HD Italia (Italy), BT Sports Europe (U.K.), RAI International
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.), Sky Go Italia (Italy), BT Sport Live Streaming (U.K.)
See More:
