Juventus aim to recover from their lackluster domestic form as they face Cagliari in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 at the Allianz Stadium. The match kicks off at 20:00 GMT, with the winner set to meet Empoli in the quarter-finals. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the game will proceed directly to a penalty shootout, skipping extra time.
The Bianconeri, fresh from a Champions League victory over Manchester City, have been struggling in Serie A, with four consecutive draws, including a disappointing 2-2 result against Venezia. Meanwhile, Cagliari, despite their relegation-zone status, have shown resilience, recently holding Juventus to a 1-1 draw in the league.
Match Details
| Fixture | Juventus vs. Cagliari |
|---|---|
| Competition | Coppa Italia Round of 16 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium, Turin |
| Kick-off Time | 20:00 GMT |
| Format | Direct penalty shootout if tied after 90 mins |
| Next Opponent | Empoli (Quarter-finals) |
Team News
Juventus
Juventus face a mounting injury crisis with key players Douglas Luiz, Arkadiusz Milik, Jonas Rouhi, Gleison Bremer, and Juan Cabal sidelined. Manuel Locatelli and Weston McKennie have been pressed into makeshift defensive roles, with Andrea Cambiaso offering some relief as he returns to the squad. Despite these challenges, Dusan Vlahovic leads the attack, supported by Francisco Conceicao, Kenan Yildiz, and Samuel Mbangula.
Cagliari
Cagliari arrive at the Allianz Stadium without Zito Luvumbo, who is nursing a sprained ankle, and Adam Obert, who also misses out. Veteran striker Gianluca Lapadula gets a rare start, flanked by Gianluca Gaetano and Razvan Marin. The visitors will look to replicate their spirited 1-1 draw from October.
Starting Line-ups
| Juventus | Formation: 4-2-3-1 |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Di Gregorio |
| Defenders | Savona, Locatelli, Kalulu, McKennie |
| Midfielders | Koopmeiners, Thuram |
| Forwards | Conceicao, Yildiz, Mbangula; Vlahovic |
| Cagliari | Formation: 3-5-1-1 |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Scuffet |
| Defenders | Zappa, Palomino, Wieteska |
| Midfielders | Zortea, Marin, Prati, Deiola, Augello |
| Forwards | Gaetano; Lapadula |
Key Points to Watch
- Juventus’ Defensive Experiment: With Locatelli and McKennie in unorthodox roles, their defensive solidity will be under scrutiny.
- Cagliari’s Underdog Spirit: Having held Juventus earlier this season, Cagliari will look to build on their recent close contests with Fiorentina and Atalanta.
- Impact Players: Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and Cagliari’s Gianluca Lapadula could play decisive roles in their respective attacks.
Can Juventus overcome their injury woes to progress, or will Cagliari spring a surprise in Turin? All eyes are on the Allianz Stadium tonight.
