The Juventus lineup that should start against FC Porto in the Champions League

Juventus stand on the brink of Champions League elimination
Juventus stand on the brink of Champions League elimination / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
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Juventus will be fighting to keep their season alive when they face FC Porto in the second leg of the pair's Champions League round of 16 tie.

A poor performance in the first leg saw the Old Lady suffer a disappointing 2-1 defeat and their away goal could prove crucial when they play the return fixture on Tuesday evening.

In what is his biggest game in charge so far, Andrea Pirlo will be sweating over which starting XI to select. Here is the team he is likely to rely on to get the job done against the Liga NOS side...


1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci
Bonucci returned to the fray last time out / Claudio Villa./Getty Images

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - There is little to say here. As fun as it would be to stick a 43-year-old Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks, Szczesny is fit so he will start.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) - With first choice Danilo suspended, Cuadrado should get the nod and provide Juventus with some thrust from the right-back berth.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - With both Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt unavailable, Bonucci will have to start - despite only just returning from injury himself. He did at least get a few minutes under his belt during the Bianconeri's victory over Lazio last time out.

Merih Demiral (CB) - With his rivals out injured, Demiral has a chance to stake a claim from a starting spot over the next few weeks.

Alex Sandro (LB)
- After being forced to fill in at centre-back against Lazio, the Brazilian will likely return to his favoured left-back position on Tuesday evening.


2. Midfielders

Adrien Rabiot, Alvaro Morata
Rbiot netted in his side's last game / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Federico Chiesa (RM) - Dejan Kulusevski will push him hard but on current form Chiesa should just about squeeze into the starting XI. Do not expect him to last the full 90 minutes, though.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) - He has his detractors, sure, but Rabiot played very well against Lazio. Not only did he grab a fine goal he was also positive in his movement. Pirlo will want more of the same on Wednesday.

Weston McKennie (CM) - After impressive on his loan spell, Juventus opted to make McKennie's move permanent recently. He will be hoping to mark the occasion with another promising display in the Champions League.

Aaron Ramsey (LM) - Despite being tipped to leave the club in the summer, Ramsey remains around the first team set up in Turin. Expect him to get the nod on Tuesday.

3. Forwards

Alvaro Morata, Cristiano Ronaldo
Morata and Ronaldo should start together against Porto / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Alvaro Morata (ST) - Morata is a guaranteed starter after scoring twice in his side's win over Lazio.

Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) -
He may press with the intensity of a caterpillar, but CR7 continues to score at an impressive rate. He will also be desperate to avoid another early exit from the Champions League, so we could see some fireworks from the 36-year-old.


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