Stefano Colantuono assured Udinese “won’t just defend” against reigning champions of Italy Juventus.

It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.

“I don’t know what to expect from Juve, even if reading the papers I get the feeling it might be a 3-5-2,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

Stefano Colantuono assured Udinese “won’t just defend” against reigning champions of Italy Juventus.

It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.

“I don’t know what to expect from Juve, even if reading the papers I get the feeling it might be a 3-5-2,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

“We prepared for either system. Tactics aside, this is a team that will be very aggressive and their attitude doesn’t change no matter the shape.

“If you go to Turin only to defend, you will certainly lose. If you play all-out attack without balance, you will lose. We have to find that middle ground and play without putting up barriers.

“Our aim is to play well and maintain our football philosophy against any team. I tell my players to face this challenge without fear, as in my career I have got results away to big clubs.

“Juventus have lost important players, but brought in replacements and are still seeking others to strengthen further. At club level they’ve got practically nothing wrong over the last few years.

“They still have this core of figures who drag the rest of the squad along with them and instil the Juventus mentality. They can be decisive even off the field.

“In attack Paulo Dybala brings creativity, while Mario Mandzukic is very strong in the air and helps his teammates.”

Udinese will be without Guilherme for this trip to Turin, as he has not recovered from a muscular injury, while Molla Wague is suspended.

“We still need tests to work out how bad the injury is. I cannot say who will replace him. Giampiero Pinzi and Manuel Iturra are options, but I do not forget Alexander Merkel. They all have different characteristics, so we’ll see who is chosen to start.

“Duvan Zapata hasn’t played regularly for a while, so we are working on fitness conditioning to increase the amount of minutes he can handle. As soon as he is fully in shape, he’ll be a candidate for a starting spot.”

Max Allegri already confirmed Simone Padoin will play in the Andrea Pirlo role in front of the defence.

“I have wonderful memories of Simone,” said former Atalanta boss Colantuono.

“He is very versatile and it’s no coincidence Juventus never wanted to be without him. He can cover many roles and I consider him to be one of those players who Coaches love. He is also unique in terms of boosting team morale.”

Udinese squad for Juventus: Karnezis, Meret, Perisan; Ali Adnan, Domizzi, Danilo, Edenilson, Heurtaux, Neuton, Pasquale, Piris, Widmer; Badu, Fernandes, Iturra, Kone, Merkel, Pinzi; Aguirre, Di Natale, Perica, Thereau, Duvan Zapata

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