Preview: The Bianconeri resume their Scudetto challenge against the Zebrette
On Thursday, Juventus moved one step closer to the Europa League final in Turin by defeating Lyon 2-1 on the night, 3-1 on aggregate. Yet, while the score-line may look like a straightforward win for the side that has yet to lose a game at home, Bianconeri midfielder Claudio Marchisio admitted that his side were fortunate to have secured their position in the semi-finals.
"It wasn't easy. We started off well tonight, but then Lyon equalized and fortunately I was able to score a goal...but it was really lucky," the 28-year-old remarked to Mediaset following the game. Nonetheless, the team is still on course to lift two trophies in May, but will be keen on staying far ahead of second-placed Roma with a win later this evening.
As for Udinese, it appears that the side that many likened to "The Little Engine That Could" has finally run out of steam. The Zebrette have been punching well above their weight for the past few seasons, securing European football at the expense of much bigger clubs, but have struggled to break into the top half of the table this year. Additionally, with talismanic attacker and captain Toto Di Natale set to retire at the end of this season, Francesco Guidolin's men will be without both a leader and the club's most prolific goal-scorer for the 2014-2015 campaign and beyond.
To make matters worse, Udinese have already lost a disheartening 50% of their 32 matches so far and have just earned 32 points--a dismal average of one per match. Moreover, coupled with the fact that they will welcome a side that has only lost two games thus far, the odds are obviously in favour of Antonio Conte's troops, who are hoping to reach 100 points by the end of the season and establish a new Serie A record.
However, the last time these two sides met in the league, Juventus only managed to squeak by with a slim victory thanks to a solitary goal from Fernando Llorente in stoppage time. Additionally, the hosts do have 17-year-old goalkeeping sensation Simone Scuffet on their books, with the teenager garnering the attention of some of Italy's biggest clubs for his impressive displays against the likes of Inter to earn his side a much-needed point.
It will indeed be an interesting match-up of these two goalkeepers--one representing Italy's present, the other the nation's future--and Juventus skipper Gigi Buffon has made no secret of his admiration for the youngster dubbed as his heir apparent.
"Should he go to Brazil? [In my opinion], considering what he has done [so far], I'd say he deserves it," the Azzurri captain noted in a recent interview.
Conte will certainly have one eye on his side's impending semi-final clash with Portuguese powerhouse Benfica in just ten days, especially with key midfielder Arturo Vidal admitting that he has been playing through the pain barrier due to a knee injury. Yet, given the depth of the squad's bench, the tactician should have no difficulty in selecting who will feature in the middle of the park. Given that he generally prefers a 3-5-2 formation, versatile wing-back Stephan Lichtsteiner could be added, alongside the return of Paul Pogba, who started from the bench against Lyon on Thursday.
His opponent Guidolin has more of a selection headache on his hands. With Di Natale still out due to injuy, young Colombian attacker Luis Muriel could be paired with 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, but all eyes will probably be on the young man between the posts for the Friuli-based club. It will certainly be one of the toughest games of Scuffet's fledgling Serie A career, as the Bianconeri's potent attack is highlighted by their 69 goals, the most out of any of the 20 teams this season.
And, as fans saw yesterday against Lyon, Udinese will be hoping not to concede any free-kicks around the box due to the expertise of midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, who has netted six goals so far in all competitions--with each and every one being from set pieces.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Udinese vs Juventus live on Monday, April 14, 2014:
In Canada at 14.45 ET on: beIN Sports Canada, beIN Sports Play Canada, RAI International
In the US at 14.45 EST on: beIN Sports Play, beIN Sports USA, RAI International
In the UK at 19.45 BST on: BT Sport 1
In Italy at 20.45 CET on: Premium Calcio, Sky Calcio 1, Sky Supercalcio HD, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia
For live score updates and more live listings of the game, visit the Udinese vs. Juventus match page.
