Enough joking now. Juventus returns to the field after the defeat against Milan with a twofold objective: canceling the San Siro knockout and defending the lead in the championship. Between saying and doing, however, there is Giampaolo's Sampdoria, regenerated by the victory in the derby and ready to have its say also in the Juventus fort of the Stadium.
“We need to bring home the result, that's for sure – thought Massimiliano Allegri. – However, there is no need to criticize too much, we are making a good journey: it was unthinkable to have already won the Scudetto after 9 days, and we are also first in the Champions League group. We will face a good Samp, well trained and with important players especially in attack. We'll need an aggressive race but without giving away much."
It's hard to blame the Juventus coach: his team has so far been in line with all the objectives set by the club. However, it is clear that when samples of this caliber are available, the bar is raised, both on a practical and aesthetic level. From Juve one would expect a more convincing football, instead the victories often came more by sword than by foil.
“I don't know what they mean when they say we're not bad – Allegri glossed over. – I really don't think mine is a staid team and in any case I remind everyone that we have introduced 6 new players. I repeat it once again: we need calm and balance in judgments, the season is long and we need to get to the end".
For this too it is necessary to rotate the men, especially in the middle of a cycle of matches every three days. The main news concerns Gigi Buffon, not even called up: for him a round of rest and for Neto the first opportunity of the season to taste the pitch a bit. In front of the Brazilian line at 3 Rugani-Bonucci-Chiellini, then midfield at 5 with Cuadrado, Lemina (slightly favorite over Sturaro), Marchisio, Pjanic and Evra, finally the "obligatory" attack Higuain-Mandzukic.
“When you come from a victory like ours against Genoa, you have more self-esteem – Marco Giampaolo said. – That's why I say we have to try to be competitive, then it's clear that Juve have a thousand resources to win the match."
However, his Sampdoria will play their chances with the usual 4-3-1-2 with Puggioni in goal, Eramo, Silvestre, Skriniar and Regini in the back, Praet, Torreira and Linetty in the midfield, Alvarez in the trocar behind the pair Budimir-Muriel offensive.
