potent new juventus face porto acid test
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

In the last 16 of the Champions League.

Potent new Juventus face Porto acid test

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Potent new Juventus face Porto acid test

Gonzalo Higuain is level with Roma's Edin Dzeko at the top of the Serie A charts
Milan - ArabToday

 A potent new attacking formation that has sent Gonzalo Higuain towards another top scorer's award faces the acid test Wednesday when Juventus take on Porto away in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Juventus, beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the 2015 final, are en route to a record sixth Serie A crown and remain many pundits' favourites to challenge the likes of Real Madrid for the trophy in Cardiff next May.

Massimiliano Allegri's Serie A league leaders head to Porto's Estadio do Dragao as favourites, but aware that they also ended Roma's hopes of even qualifying for the competition in clinical fashion last summer.

"Juventus are a top side who have made it to the final of the Champions League recently, so they will be a challenge for us," Porto president Pinto da Costa was quoted as saying in Corriere dello Sport. 

"But Roma were also favourites against us, and in the end we won 3-0."

Allegri's decision to ditch his tried and trusted 3-5-2 for a more attack-minded 4-2-3-1 has seen Higuain, thanks to support from Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic, pull level with Roma's Edin Dzeko at the top of the Serie A charts on 19 goals so far.

Both remain doubtful due to recent injury niggles, meaning either Daniele Rugani or Mehdi Benatia could partner Leonardo Bonucci in central defence. But while the Juventus front line is firing on all cylinders, Porto have reason to be targeting a makeshift Juve defence that could be missing key components in Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. 

Allegri's switch to a flat back four means Stephan Lichtsteiner, Dani Alves, Kwadwo Asamoah and Alex Sandro -- who are all adept as wingbacks in a five-man midfeld -- are all available for the left and right-back positions.

On Friday Allegri said: "Unless some strange things happen in the meantime, we will deploy a 4-2-3-1 in Portugal."

Both Rugani and Lichtsteiner were completely rested for Friday's 4-1 win over Palermo, in which Dybala hit a brace and Higuain hit one. Mario Mandzukic was also completely rested, suggesting he is a definite starter on Wednesday.

Allegri's two holding midfielders are likely to be Miralem Pjanic, the side's free-kick specialist, and Germany midfielder Sami Khedira. Italy international Claudio Marchisio, also on target against Palermo, is expected to start on the bench.

Porto might not be considered title winners, but Bonucci has done his homework.

"Maybe Porto aren't among the favourites for the quarter-finals, but we will be giving them maximum respect," the Italy defender told uefa.com.

"They went through a difficult period at the season but they've come bouncing right back in impressive fashion. They have some great young players and they'll will playing with the mentality that they nothing to lose.

"If we want to stay in Europe, we'll need a great performance on the night."

Porto have hit 14 league goals in their past five league games, all wins, and former Portugal defender Jorge Andrade, who played for both clubs, says scoring an away goal will be crucial for the Italians.

"The most important thing for Juventus will be to be vigilant in Oporto, and to score a goal," he told Tuttojuve.com.

"In Portugal people can't wait for this match. Don't forget that Porto have won the competition twice. Their key player will be (Tiquinho) Soares."

Soares has hit four goals in three games since joining Porto last month and will be looking to make his mark in a game featuring two legendary goalkeepers in Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon.

source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

potent new juventus face porto acid test potent new juventus face porto acid test

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

potent new juventus face porto acid test potent new juventus face porto acid test

 



GMT 15:16 2017 Sunday ,08 October

Iran main sponsor of global terrorism

GMT 16:58 2017 Saturday ,25 November

HRH Crown Prince visits the Louvre Abu Dhabi

GMT 01:16 2017 Thursday ,08 June

IS bombings in southern Yemen kill 18 : Medics

GMT 17:08 2017 Saturday ,30 September

In schools, Catalans rally to protect the referendum

GMT 21:28 2018 Tuesday ,16 October

King Hamad bin Isa receives new ambassadors

GMT 09:11 2018 Saturday ,06 January

Erdogan says US verdict part of 'plots' against Turkey

GMT 21:32 2011 Wednesday ,20 April

Portugal pays high rates to borrow 1 bn euros

GMT 11:39 2017 Monday ,17 April

ACI Asia Pacific Regional Event Comes to an End

GMT 08:16 2017 Wednesday ,10 May

Donald Trump fires FBI director James Comey

GMT 12:26 2017 Sunday ,10 December

Pacers halt Cavs win streak, Durant rises again

GMT 19:01 2017 Thursday ,03 August

Tillerson sends senior envoys

GMT 21:34 2016 Saturday ,12 November

Djokovic: I'm still motivated to be world's best

GMT 19:57 2017 Tuesday ,08 August

Netflix acquires comic book creator Millarworld

GMT 00:50 2017 Wednesday ,15 November

Insurance hike expected for high-rises

GMT 12:28 2017 Saturday ,18 November

Sharjah Crown Prince adopts 10 mobile libraries

GMT 02:54 2016 Monday ,12 December

Parliament condemns Boutrosiya Church attack

GMT 10:36 2017 Tuesday ,05 September

Menna starts filming “Forbidden Love” soon
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday