Still unbeaten but with just six Serie A wins on the board, Juventus will visit Monza on Sunday, sorely in need of a pre-Christmas success.
After their latest league draw last weekend, Juve finally found the right formula to progress in the Coppa Italia; meanwhile, Monza are still searching for a first home win.
Match preview
© Imago
No matter whether Max Allegri or Thiago Motta has been at the wheel, Juventus have frequently proved unable to turn draws into wins throughout 2024, and they have now shared the spoils in all of their last four league outings.
At home to rock-bottom Venezia last week, Juve only savaged one point by virtue of a late spot-kick leveller from Dusan Vlahovic, which just about spared their blushes in Turin.
As a result, the Bianconeri have recorded their worst start on home soil since 1988, winning just three of nine top-flight fixtures at the Allianz Stadium this season.
Though they are still unbeaten in domestic competition after 16 Serie A matchdays and one tie in the Coppa Italia, Motta's men have fallen nine points behind league leaders Atalanta BC and only occupy sixth spot in the standings.
Taking a brief break from those league woes, Juve successfully started their defence of the Coppa on Tuesday, when they put four goals past Cagliari without reply: Dusan Vlahovic, Teun Koopmeiners and Francisco Conceicao all found the net before Nico Gonzalez added more gloss with a delicate chipped finish.
They will hope that victory - which sets up a quarter-final clash against Empoli - can kick-start their ailing campaign, particularly with both the Supercoppa Italiana and an upcoming Champions League league-phase finale to negotiate.
First, though, they must tackle Monza. Despite the gulf between the two clubs in terms of resources and stature, Juventus have been beaten twice in four league meetings since the Brianzoli first arrived in Serie A, but they cannot afford to slip up again.
© Imago
In fact, Monza's first-ever victory at Calcio's elite level memorably came against Juve, back in September 2022, and they would dearly love to repeat that feat this weekend.
Embattled head coach Alessandro Nesta was given another vote of confidence by the club board last week, after his side lost a crucial battle-at-the-bottom in Lecce, where they failed to produce a single shot on target.
Winless since October and stuck inside the drop zone, the Biancorossi have also earned the fewest points from home games - only three from a possible 24 - and could now suffer four straight Serie A defeats at U-Power Stadium for the very first time.
After two mid-table finishes seemed to have established them as part of the furniture in Italy's top flight, their fans have had precious little to get excited about this season.
Averaging under one goal per game so far, Monza have spent the fewest minutes leading home fixtures - just seven - meaning that expectations will be low when the Old Lady comes to town.
Team News
© Imago
After selecting an unorthodox team for Tuesday's cup tie - featuring Manuel Locatelli in defence and Weston McKennie at left-back - Juventus boss Thiago Motta is set to make changes, despite being hampered by an injury-depleted squad.
Douglas Luiz and Andrea Cambiaso have been training individually; Arkadiusz Milik, Juan Cabal, Bremer, Timothy Weah and Jonas Rouhi are all ruled out.
Now fit again following several weeks on the sidelines, summer signing Nico Gonzalez could contend for a place in the final third, while Federico Gatti should return at centre-back.
Whether deployed in the engine room or just behind lone striker Dusan Vlahovic, Teun Koopmeiners will be keen to keep his place: he has been directly involved in five goals in four league matches against Monza to date - including a hat-trick for Atalanta.
Meanwhile, the hosts' attacking spearhead is still on the treatment table, as Milan Djuric again joins Mattia Valoti, Samuele Vignato, Matteo Pessina and Roberto Gagliardini among Monza's absentees.
Alessandro Nesta has suggested that Luca Caldirola's presence is also in some doubt, but Patrick Ciurria has been cleared to play.
With Djuric injured and Daniel Maldini suspended, Gianluca Caprari and Dany Mota may support Mirko Maric up front.
Monza possible starting lineup:
Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Bianco, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Caprari; Maric
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Danilo; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic
We say: Monza 0-1 Juventus
Juventus are under intense pressure to produce, but their midweek run-out may have helped boost flagging morale heading into the weekend.
A toothless Monza attack will hold no concerns for the Bianconeri's generally watertight defence, and they can surely score at least once.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
