After a staggering 15 goals across their last two outings, entertainment should be all but guaranteed when Serie A giants Juventus travel to Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi to face Hellas Verona on Saturday evening.
The Bianconeri followed up a thrilling Derby d’Italia with an equally chaotic UEFA Champions League opener, drawing 4-4 at home against Borussia Dortmund in a game that swung wildly in the second half. Having gone 4-2 down in the 86th minute after conceding a penalty, Lloyd Kelly emerged as Juve’s unlikely hero, nodding home in stoppage time to rescue a dramatic point.
That late intervention came just days after his opener against Inter Milan in a 4-3 win, where teenager Vasilije Adzic scored a stoppage-time winner to stun the Nerazzurri. Under new boss Igor Tudor, Juventus appear transformed from the cautious football seen under Massimiliano Allegri and Thiago Motta, with a more adventurous style producing high-scoring encounters.
However, with defensive frailties exposed, Tudor may look to strike a balance against Verona to consolidate Juve’s perfect start to the Serie A campaign. The Bianconeri head into the clash having won their opening three league games for the first time in seven years, dispatching Parma and Genoa before their epic Derby d’Italia triumph.
History is also firmly on their side, as Juventus have dominated recent meetings with Hellas Verona, losing just once in the last seven encounters while keeping their opponents largely scoreless. On the other hand, for Verona, expectations remain modest.
Paolo Zanetti’s men have collected just two points from their first three games, following a 4-0 defeat to Lazio with back-to-back draws against Parma and Cremonese. Goals have been a persistent issue, with the Mastini finding the net only five times in their last 14 home fixtures, winning just once in that period.
Although their supporters may hope for a surprise, recent form and history suggest Verona will be hard-pressed to stop a Juventus side brimming with confidence and momentum. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Hellas Verona’s injury list continues to grow, with Roberto Gagliardini suffering a dislocated shoulder on his debut earlier this week. The Italian midfielder now joins Daniel Mosquera, Tomas Suslov, and Nicolas Valentini on the sidelines, leaving Paolo Zanetti with limited options in midfield and attack.
This setback comes at a time when Verona can ill afford further absences, given their struggles in front of goal and their poor recent record against Juventus. As for Hellas Verona’s setup, Zanetti is expected to retain a 3-5-2 formation against Juventus.
Lorenzo Montipo will start in goal, shielded by a three-man defence consisting of Unai Nunez, Victor Nelsson, and Martin Frese. On the flanks, Rafik Belghali will provide width on the right, while Domagoj Bradaric takes charge of the left wing-back role.
As for the midfield unit, Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, Suat Serdar, and Antoine Bernede will form the central trio, tasked with maintaining structure and offering both defensive cover and creative support.
Up front, Giovane is likely to partner Amin Sarr in the strike partnershop, although Gift Orban, who made his first start for the club in the draw against Cremonese, will be pushing for inclusion once more. The pairing of the two strikers will be key if Verona are to trouble a Juventus side that has shown both attacking flair and defensive vulnerability in recent weeks.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Montipo; Nunez, Nelsson, Frese; Belghali, Akpra Akpro, Serdar, Bernede, Bradaric; Giovane, Sarr
Juventus head into the weekend with a near full-strength squad, and Igor Tudor could opt for a few tweaks after two chaotic, high-scoring fixtures. The most notable decision comes in attack, where Dusan Vlahovic is pushing hard for a starting berth.
The Serbian striker has been rejuvenated in recent weeks, scoring twice as a substitute in midweek and boasting an excellent personal record against Hellas Verona, with six Serie A goals to his name against the Gialloblu. The Serb will be competing with Jonathan David and Lois Openda for the central striking role.
On the flanks, Andrea Cambiaso is available again after serving a domestic suspension and is expected to reclaim his spot on the left wing. Another boost for the Bianconeri comes with Francisco Conceicao, who has resumed full training following a minor issue that kept him out of the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.
As for the formation, Tudor is set to deploy his side in a 3-4-2-1 system. Michele Di Gregorio will start in goal, supported by a back three of Federico Gatti, Gleison Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly. In midfield, Pierre Kalulu and Andrea Cambiaso will patrol the flanks as wing-backs, while Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli form the central partnership.
Ahead of them, Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yıldız will operate as the attacking midfield duo, tasked with supplying service and creativity for the lone striker Dusan Vlahovic, who should get the nod to spearhead the Juventus attack against Hellas Verona this weekend.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Kalulu, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Juventus have won six of their last seven league matches against Hellas Verona (D1), keeping six clean sheets in the process with a combined scoreline of 12-2.
Hellas Verona have claimed 12 victories from 34 home games against Juventus in Serie A, their joint-most home wins against any opponent (also 12 vs Napoli and Sampdoria).
Dusan Vlahovic has scored six Serie A goals against Hellas Verona, more than against any side except Cagliari (8). Four of his six goals versus Verona have come from penalties.
Juventus are on a five-game winning run in Serie A. The last time they won at least six consecutive league games was between October 2022 and January 2023, when they put together an eight-game streak under Massimiliano Allegri.
Juventus have won each of their first three Serie A matches this season, the first time they have managed this since 2018/19 under Allegri. On that occasion, they went on to win their first eight games of the campaign.
With Dusan Vlahovic rediscovering his scoring touch, the spotlight is also on Jonathan David to showcase his attacking prowess. The Canadian striker has been working hard to adapt to Juventus’ system, and his movement, pace, and finishing ability provide a different dimension to the Bianconeri’s forward line.
David’s challenge is to step up in high-pressure games like this one, proving that he can be more than just a rotational option. As Vlahovic builds momentum with his goals, David must demonstrate his own cutting edge, giving Igor Tudor the kind of selection headache every manager wants: two strikers in top form pushing each other for the starting spot.
Juventus come into this fixture with momentum firmly on their side, having won each of their opening three league matches and producing thrilling attacking performances against both Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund. With Dusan Vlahovic finding form and Jonathan David eager to prove his worth, the Bianconeri boast plenty of firepower up front.
Hellas Verona, on the other hand, have struggled to find goals and consistency, picking up just two points from their opening games and enduring a poor home record stretching back to last season. Their recent history against Juventus does not inspire confidence either, with six defeats in their last seven league meetings against the Bianconeri.
Given the difference in quality, form, and confidence, Juventus should be heavy favourites to extend their perfect start to the season. Verona may put up resistance at home, but the visitors’ attacking strength and superior depth will likely prove decisive.
