Still unbeaten but with just six Serie A wins to his name, Juventus will visit Monza on Sunday, which desperately needs a pre-Christmas success.

After the league’s final draw last weekend, Juve have finally found the right formula to progress in the Coppa Italia; Meanwhile, Monza is still looking for its first home win.

Game preview

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Regardless of whether Max Allegri or Thiago Motta Juventus have often been unable to convert draws into wins throughout 2024 and now they have shared the spoils in each of their last four league games.

At home against bottom side Venezia last week, Juve only got one point thanks to a late penalty equalizer Dusan Vlahovicwhich barely saved them from blushing in Turin.

As a result, the Bianconeri recorded their worst start on home soil since 1988, winning just three of nine top-flight games at the Allianz Stadium this season.

Although they are still unbeaten in domestic competition after 16 games in Serie A and a draw in the Coppa Italia, Motta’s men have fallen 10 points behind leaders Napoli and sit in sixth place the ranking list.

Juve took a short break from these league woes and began their Coppa defense successfully on Tuesday as they let Cagliari score four goals without reply: Vlahovic, Teun Koopmeiners And Francisco Conceicao Everyone has found the internet before Nico González provides increased shine and a delicate, flaking finish.

They will be hoping the win – which sets up a quarter-final clash with Empoli – can jump-start their poor season, particularly with the Supercoppa Italiana and the upcoming Champions League in mind League phase Final to negotiate.

But first they have to tackle Monza. Despite the gap between the two clubs in terms of resources and stature, Juventus have been beaten twice in four league games since the Brianzoli first arrived in Serie A, but they cannot afford to slip up again.

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In fact, Monza’s first-ever win at Calcio’s elite level memorably came against Juve in September 2022, and they would be only too happy to repeat the feat this weekend.

Embattled head coach Alessandro Nesta Last week the club’s board received another vote of confidence after their side lost a crucial duel in Lecce in which they failed to get a single shot on target.

Winless and stuck inside since October the drop zoneThe Biancorossi have also taken the fewest points from home games – just three out of a possible 24 – and could now suffer four consecutive defeats in Serie A at the U-Power Stadium for the first time ever.

Having appeared to have established themselves in Italy’s top flight with two mid-table finishes, there has been little to be excited about for their fans this season.

With an average of less than a goal per game, Monza have so far spent the fewest minutes in home games – just seven – meaning expectations will be low when the ‘Old Lady’ comes to town.

Monza Serie A form:

Monza form (all competitions):

Juventus Serie A form:

Juventus form (all competitions):

Team news

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After selecting an unorthodox team for Tuesday’s cup game – presented Manuel Locatelli in defense and Weston McKennie at left-back – Juventus coach Thiago Motta is expected to make changes despite being hampered by an injury-depleted squad.

Andrea Cambiaso might return, but Arkadiusz Milik, Juan Cabal, Bremer, Timothy Weah, Jonas Rouhi And Douglas Luiz are all excluded.

After a break of several weeks, new signing Nico Gonzalez is now fit again and will fight for a place in the final third Federico Gatti should return to central defense.

Whether deployed in the engine room or directly behind the sole striker Dusan Vlahovic, Teun Koopmeiners will definitely want to keep his place: he has been directly involved in five goals in four league games against Monza so far – including a hat-trick for Atalanta BC.

Meanwhile, the hosts’ attack is still on the treatment table, such as: Milan Djuric joins again Mattia Valoti, Samuel Vignato, Matteo Pessina And Roberto Gagliardini among Monza’s absentees.

Luca CaldirolaAttendance is also doubtful, however Patrick Ciurria has been released for play.

With Djuric injured and Daniel Maldini exposed, Gianluca Caprari And Dany Mota must compete with Mirko Maric start at the beginning.

Monza possible starting lineup:
Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Bianco, Sensi, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Caprari

Juventus possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Koopmeiners; Conceicao, Yildiz, Gonzalez; Vlahovic

We say: Monza 0-1 Juventus

Juventus are under intense pressure to perform but their midweek exit may have helped boost flagging morale ahead of the weekend.

A toothless Monza attack poses no problem for the Bianconeri’s generally watertight defense and they can certainly score at least once.

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