Serie A | Sassuolo v Juventus: Probable starting lineups

Douglas Luiz and Koopmeiners set to pair up as Spalletti battles a midfield crisis at the Mapei Stadium
Formation

The final team news is in ahead of Sassuolo’s clash with Juventus this evening.

Kick-off is set for 20.45 at the Mapei Stadium, with Sacchi taking charge and the game live on DAZN. Juventus head into the weekend still shorthanded in midfield, forcing Spalletti into a makeshift pivot, while Aquilani looks to keep faith with the same starting group that has carried Sassuolo through the opening weeks of the season.


Sassuolo

Aquilani looks set to stick with the same 4-3-3 that’s carried his side through their opening fixtures. In front of Muric, the back four is expected to be Cinquegrano, Idzes, Leysen and Doig. In midfield, Matic and Adzic are on course to keep their places, with Lipani and Thorstvedt only coming into contention if Bakola — still managing some fatigue after the Coppa Italia — fails to recover in time. Up top, Berardi returns to the starting XI, Laurienté lines up on the left, and Bowie edges Esposito for the central striker’s role.

Sassuolo probable XI (4-3-3): Muric; Cinquegrano, Idzes, Leysen, Doig; Adzic, Matic, Bakola; Berardi, Bowie, Laurienté.

Juventus

Juventus arrive with a lengthy absentee list, and Spalletti will once again have to navigate a genuine emergency — though the shape stays the same 4-2-3-1. Vicario continues in goal. In defence, Kalulu holds down the right side, Bremer and Lucumi form the central pairing, and Celik operates on the left; with Locatelli out, it’s the Brazilian centre-back who’ll wear the captain’s armband for the evening. The midfield crunch is at its most severe here, and Spalletti is expected to turn to Douglas Luiz and Koopmeiners as his pivot, with Sarr more likely to start from the bench. Just behind Kolo Muani, the attacking trio is shaping up as Conceiçao, Nico Gonzalez and Alajbegovic.

Juventus probable XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Kalulu, Bremer, Lucumi, Celik; Douglas Luiz, Koopmeiners; Conceiçao, Nico Gonzalez, Alajbegovic; Woltemade.


Sassuolo v Juventus

Alex Hubner

Alex Hubner

Alex Hubner covers Juventus transfers and squad news for JuveNewsLive. He has followed Serie A closely for 25 years and has written match reports and transfer analysis for the site since 2020. Alex is based in Turin, Italy.

Areas of focus: transfer market reporting, squad rotation analysis, pre-season coverage.

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