Serie A Week 19 line-ups: Sassuolo vs. Juventus
Juventus stand by Jonathan David despite his dire penalty, supported by Kenan Yildiz and Fabio Miretti, visiting Andrea Pinamonti and Nemanja Matic’s Sassuolo.
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
The Bianconeri saw their ambitions stalled at the weekend by a disappointing 1-1 home draw to Lecce, although it did allow them to catch Roma in joint fourth place.
Jonathan David had the chance to win it, but his weak Panenka penalty was easily saved.
Nonetheless, coach Luciano Spalletti tries to build the Canadian’s confidence with another start, this time supported by Miretti and Yildiz, as Francisco Conceicao and Lloyd Kelly didn’t make the trip due to muscular problems.
Also on the treatment table are Dusan Vlahovic, Jonas Rouhi, Federico Gatti, Daniele Rugani and Arek Milik, so Teun Koopmeiners returns to the back three.
Sassuolo have been one of the surprise outfits of this season, sitting comfortably mid-table under coach Fabio Grosso after winning the Serie B title last term.
They caused a few upsets already, beating Lazio, Udinese, Atalanta and Fiorentina, while holding Milan and Bologna to draws.
Legend Domenico Berardi is still out of action, joined by Cristian Volpato, Filippo Romagna, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo, while Woyo Coulibaly is at AFCON.
Ismael Koné was rested at the weekend for the local derby with Parma, but returns to the starting XI.
Veteran Matic is in midfield, with ex-Juventus youth academy starlet Tarik Muharemovic flourishing in defence.
The trident attack is formed of Edoardo Iannoni, Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Laurienté, as Alieu Fadera had a very disappointing performance at the weekend.
Sassuolo vs. Juventus line-ups
Sassuolo: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Thorstvedt, Matic, Koné; Iannoni, Pinamonti, Laurienté
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Miretti, Yildiz; David