As Juventus and Milan prepare to face off in the Coppa Italia final, Football Italia looks at where tonight’s match could be won and lost.
Words: Gaby McKay
Can Milan expose Cuadrado?
Juan Cuadrado should once again start in an unfamiliar right-back role, and his could be the flank that Milan will look to target.
As Juventus and Milan prepare to face off in the Coppa Italia final, Football Italia looks at where tonight’s match could be won and lost.
Words: Gaby McKay
Can Milan expose Cuadrado?
Juan Cuadrado should once again start in an unfamiliar right-back role, and his could be the flank that Milan will look to target.
Inter did that to good effect in the Derby d’Italia, with Ivan Perisic leaving the Colombian on his backside before forcing an own goal from Andrea Barzagli.
Cuadrado often played wing-back for Fiorentina, but right-back is a very different role and he’ll need protection from those in front of him.
If Hakan Calhanoglu and Ricardo Rodriguez can double-up on that flank, the Old Lady could be in trouble.
Calabria versus Douglas Costa (Dybala)
It’s a similar story at the other end of the pitch, as Davide Calabria looks set to come up against Douglas Costa.
Juventus’ Brazilian winger has six assists and two goals in his last seven games, and is second only to Felipe Anderson for dribbles per game in Serie A.
Calabria has only been dribbled past once per game on average, but the 21-year-old will have his work cut out tonight.
The youngster can also be exposed in the air, so don’t be surprised to see Mario Mandzukic attacking the back post.
A big night for Locatelli
Manuel Locatelli makes just his 12th start of the season, and is expected to play a deep role just in front of the defence.
While the youngster will look to get on the ball and dictate things, the presence of Leonardo Bonucci behind him takes some of that pressure off, as the centre-back is more than capable of stepping out of defence to play accurate long passes.
Defensively though Locatelli will have to show maturity beyond his years, as Dybala is sure to drop between the lines to try and create something for Juve.
Franck Kessié and Giacomo Bonaventura will be responsible for trying to cut off the supply from Pjanic, but Locatelli will need to ensure Dybala doesn’t get time and space to work his magic.
Can Cutrone bully Barzagli?
Andrea Barzagli turned 37 yesterday, and he starts alongside Medhi Benatia in the centre of the Juventus defence.
While the veteran will go down as one of Giuseppe Marotta’s most inspired bargain signings, he has shown signs this season that age is finally catching up with him.
Patrick Cutrone’s pace won’t expose Barzagli as Tottenham Hotspur did at times in the Champions League, but his energy and physicality could give the Bianconeri defender a headache.
If he can keep Barzagli occupied, Suso can look to attack the error-prone Medhi Benatia.
The Bonucci Factor
It’s an immutable law of football: ex players score against their former teams.
Leonardo Bonucci has already scored against Juventus once this season, and would love to put them to the sword in a cup final.
There’s more than mere voodoo at work here though, as the Old Lady has been shaky on set pieces this season.
Bonucci was part of the Juve team which won the last three editions of the Coppa Italia, what odds it’s he who ends their run?