26 August 2021, 19:54 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Italian Serie A fixture, Juventus F.C. vs. Empoli F.C. kicks off at 19:45 (GMT+1) on Saturday, August 28 at the Juventus Stadium.
Preview Juventus Serie A, Aug 28, 2021
Preview Allegri's return to Juve began on an underwhelming note after the 2-2 draw against Udinese last Saturday. Following the uncertainties surrounding his future, - with a possible move to City likely, Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench. According to Sky Sports, a meeting between his agent, Jorge Mendes and Juventus ended without any agreement on Thursday. Paulo Dybala (3') put the Old Lady in front in the opening minutes. Twenty minutes later, the Argentine’s pass found Cuadrado (23') who doubled the lead for Juventus with a fine effort. However, the game flipped on its head minutes after the break. An unconvincing piece of goalkeeping from Szczęsny earned Udinese a penalty. Roberto Pereyra (51' P.) stepped up and converted from the spot to cut Udinese's deficit down to one. But Szczęsny wasn’t done yet with the gifts. Rather than clear the ball to safety, he decided to take on two Udinese shirts. But luck ran out on him after an exquisite touch which had the first beaten. Gerard Deulofeu (83') pounced on the loose ball for the equalizer. A disappointed Massimiliano Allegri looked on from the sidelines as his team failed to restore their lead until full-time. On Saturday, Allegri will aim for his first Serie A victory since his return to Juve. An attacking 4—4—2 formation with Alvaro Morata and Dybala leading the attack is expected. Juventus will be without Arthur and Aaron Ramsey for this fixture. Meanwhile, Adrien Rabiot remains doubtful alongside the new addition, Kaio Jorge.
Preview Empoli Serie A, Aug 28, 2021
Preview Newly promoted side, Empoli F.C. return behind the 3-1 defeat to Lazio at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on the opening day of the season. They picked up the lead in the opening minutes through Filippo Bandinelli (4'), - courtesy of an assist from Nedim Bajrami. However, the lead was chalked off two minutes later by Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (6'). A goal from Manuel Lazzari (31'), coupled with an additional effort from the penalty spot by Ciro Immobile (41' P.) condemned Gli Azzurri to a defeat. - The first since their return to Serie A, following a two-year absence. Coach, Aurelio Andreazzoli would like to mark his second day on the job, - in the domestic league with a win. He could line up with a 4—3—1—2 formation with the duo, Patrick Cutrone and Leonardo Mancuso sharing the goalscoring responsibilities. Luckily, Aurelio Andreazzoli would be able to make his selection from a fully fit squad.