The first crossroads has arrived. The trip to Lyon could bring Juventus closer to the knockout stages of the Champions League, or damn complicate their achievement. In fact, the standings sees the black and whites leading by 4 points with Sevilla and the French immediately behind by 3: given and considering the inadequacy of Dinamo Zagreb (last at 0) it is probable that the games will be decided between the top of the group. And then a success against Gerland would make elimination almost impossible, also by virtue of the calendar that will see the Bianconeri at home with both the French and Dinamo.
“If we win, we mortgage the round of XNUMX – Massimiliano Allegri admitted bluntly. – But this will be a delicate and difficult match, they are strong and in any case playing away in the Champions League is never easy. But we too are in a good moment, let's try to exploit it”.
The Juventus coach wants to close the games as soon as possible, both for a practical matter (at which point all energies would be diverted to the championship) and for the environment. The Juve world, in fact, takes the sixth consecutive championship almost for granted (but not Allegri) and pours a large part of its expectations on Europe, which has been bewitched for years as if there were a curse. Closing the group early would bring enthusiasm and confidence, that's why winning tonight would be really important.
The bianconeri, as well as Chiellini and Marchisio, will also have to do without Mandzukic (muscle strain) but will be able to count on almost all the starters, many of whom were rested against Udinese. Among these also Miralem Pjanic, ex of the challenge (90 appearances and 10 goals with the Lyon shirt between 2008 and 2011) and present in the press room together with his coach.
“I'm happy to come back here, I've lived important years in this team – the words of the Bosnian. We know it won't be easy to win but we'll do everything to succeed, qualifying for the round of XNUMX is too important."
Allegri will therefore return to a 3-5-2 with Buffon in goal, Barzagli, Bonucci and Benatia in defense, Dani Alves, Pjanic, Hernanes (favorite over Lemina), Khedira and Alex Sandro in midfield, Higuain and Dybala in attack. A lot of respect for Lyon seems more the son of history than of current events.
In fact, Genesio's team is not doing well at all: between the problems on the pitch (8th place in Ligue 1 and a bad defeat against Nice last weekend) and the extra ones (in the club there is a real war of positions, with the advisers of the president Aulas attacking each other with no holds barred) there really don't seem to be the conditions to stop the black and white battleship.
"I'm not interested in rumors, I only think about beating Juve," glossed over the French coach, whose bench is increasingly at risk. To attempt the feat he will rely on the 3-5-2 with Anthony Lopes in goal, Yanga Mbiwa, Morel and N'Kolou in defense, Gaspar, Darder, Tolisso, Gonalons and Rybus in midfield, Lacazette and Fekir in attack.
