90min

The Juventus Lineup That Should Start Against Atalanta

By Duncan Mitchell

Juve slipped up against Milan on Tuesday
Juve slipped up against Milan on Tuesday / Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
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Title favourites Juventus came unstuck on Tuesday, slipping to a rather uncharacteristic defeat to Milan at San Siro; putting the brakes on their impressive return since the restart.

So an encounter with third placed Atalanta this Saturday is a tasty one where the over-achievers from Lombardy meet the Scudetto holders.

Let's have a look at the lineup that will want to turn it around this weekend.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

de Ligt will return from suspension this weekend
de Ligt will return from suspension this weekend / Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - Szczesny returned to the side against Milan after sitting out the clash with Torino to allow Gianluigi Buffon to break the all-time Serie A appearance record. He should keep his place for this one.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) - The former Chelsea winger has reinvented himself as a dependable right-back under Maurizio Sarri, and has contributed six assists this season.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - The veteran Italian will once again lead the side and will want to put the defeat to his former side behind him with a solid display this weekend.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - The Dutch giant had to sit out the last match due to suspension but will slot straight back in for this top of the table clash. He has grown as the season has progressed and is looking like a future Juve captain already.

Alex Sandro (LB) - The dynamic Brazilian is back from injury and should start in front of his countryman Danilo this weekend to give Juve a left-footed attacking threat once more.

2. Midfielders

Pjanic is nearing the end of his Juventus journey
Pjanic is nearing the end of his Juventus journey / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) - Bentancur has been one of Juve's brightest sparks this season. The skilful and strong Uruguayan is sure to start in this crucial fixture.

Miralem Pjanic (CM) - The deep-lying playmaker is Barcelona bound and frankly, he looks like he's already checked out. But due to the fact that there's no reliable back-up option at the club, he still starts most games for Sarri's side.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) - The former PSG man has struggled for consistency in Turin but has secured a run of games since the restart and scored a classy goal against Milan last time out. Will retain his place ahead of Blaise Matuidi.

3. Forwards

Paulo Dybala will return to link up with Ronaldo on Saturday
Paulo Dybala will return to link up with Ronaldo on Saturday / Chris Ricco/Getty Images

Federico Bernardeschi (RW) - The Italian has started ahead of Douglas Costa since the restart and knowing Sarri's love for an unchanged lineup, it's likely he will keep his place - despite a lack of goal returns this season.

Paulo Dybala (ST) - The best player for Juventus since the restart, Dybala was sorely missed against Milan through suspension. He will return on Saturday looking to add to his 11 league goals for the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo (LW) - Despite many critics fearing this could be the beginning of the end for Ronaldo this season, he is still averaging just under a goal per league game. Not bad for a 35-year-old, eh?