Nicklas Bendtner and Paul Pogba get their first Juventus” data-scaytid=”4″>Juventus starts in today’s lunchtime trip to Catania.
Nicklas Bendtner and Paul Pogba get their first Juventus starts in today’s lunchtime trip to Catania.
The Bianconeri hope to extend their 47-match unbeaten run when stepping into the Stadio Massimino at 11.30am GMT.
Bendtner has so far only played 10 minutes of Serie A football, but came off the bench in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Nordsjaelland midweek.
The striker on loan from Arsenal is given his first start in the Juve jersey, partnering Mirko Vucinic. This is Gianluigi Buffon's 500th League appearance between Serie A and B.
Pogba also steps into the starting XI after his splendid goal against Napoli, the Frenchman brought in because Claudio Marchisio is injured.
Catania are one of the surprise outfits of the season so far and famously held Napoli to a draw here despite playing with 10 men for 88 minutes.
Giuseppe Bellusci, Pietro Terracciano, Blazej Augustyn and Fabio Sciacca are all long-term injury absentees.
In an interesting twist, Coach Rolando Maran has opted to mirror Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 system for this game with ex-Juve veteran Nicola Legrottaglie joined by debutant Alexis Rolin in defence.
He therefore shelves the 4-3-3 tactic, pushing Pablo Barrientos into a deeper role.
Catania have not won this fixture since 1964-65, but do have a good recent record of causing problems for Juventus.
Catania: Andujar; Rolin, Legrottaglie, Spolli; Izco, Lodi, Almiron, Barrientos, Marchese; Gomez, Bergessio
Catania bench: Frison, Messina, Potenza, Alvarez, Biagianti, Salifu, Capuano, Ricchiuti, Castro, Morimoto, Doukara
Juventus:Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Bendtner, Vucinic
Juventus bench:Storari, Rubinho, Caceres, Marrone, Giaccherini, Padoin, Isla, De Ceglie, Pepe, Matri, Giovinco, Quagliarella