90min

The Juventus lineup that should start against Porto

By Tom Gott

Andrea Pirlo will manage his first European knockout game
Andrea Pirlo will manage his first European knockout game / Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
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Juventus will get their Champions League knockout journey underway on Wednesday with a trip to Portugal to face Porto.

Andrea Pirlo's side have let a run of ten victories in 11 games slip recently and are without a win in their last two matches in all competitions, so they will be keen to make a statement with an impressive performance in this one.

Here's how the boss should set up.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Danilo will face his former side
Danilo will face his former side / Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - Porto are no slouches in attack, so Szczesny will need to be at his best to ensure Juventus come away from this unscathed.

Danilo (RB) - Juan Cuadrado picked up a hamstring injury last time out against Napoli and is set for a spell on the sidelines, so get ready for a reunion between Danilo and Porto.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - Bonucci was rested for the Napoli game and will therefore be raring to go for this one.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - It's a straight shoot-out between De Ligt and Giorgio Chiellini for this one, but the Italian has played a lot of football recently and could do with a rest.

Alex Sandro (LB) - Completing the former Porto wing-back duo is Sandro, who will be brought back into the starting lineup now that Danilo is starting over on the right.

2. Midfielders

McKennie could start out wide
McKennie could start out wide / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Federico Chiesa (RM) - Growing into a role on the right side recently, expect Chiesa to earn another start for this one.

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) - With both Aaron Ramsey and Arthur unavailable, Pirlo doesn't have too many options to choose from here. Bentancur will surely keep his place.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) - Joining Bentancur should be regular partner Rabiot, who has done well to step up during this injury crisis.

Weston McKennie (LM) - It's McKennie vs Federico Bernardeschi, and even though the former isn't actually a winger, McKennie has been the better player this season and deserves another start.

3. Forwards

Ronaldo has four goals in his last three European games
Ronaldo has four goals in his last three European games / Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

Alvaro Morata (ST) - Paulo Dybala remains on the sidelines with a knee injury, so that means Morata will assume the role of sidekick to...

Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) - Duh.

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