Serie A: Juve Return to Turin for Unusual Season

Juventus vs Bologna

As far as the Serie A title race is concerned this season, no one really fancies Juventus.

That would have been unheard of given their decade of dominance but the last few years have not been so kind to the Turin giants.

Yet is it really that unlikely that a side banned from Europe this term for breaching Financial Fair Play rules could benefit domestically with an uncluttered schedule?

SERIE A

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Talking Points

Certainly, as they prepare to welcome Bologna to the Allianz Stadium for their first home match of the new season, it appears they have nothing to lose.

Deducted 10 points last season after an investigation into past transfer dealings, the Bianconeri’s ban from Europe could yet prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Until now, the last time Juventus had a whole week to prepare for a Serie A game, they not only won the title but became the first Italian team to go undefeated through a 38-game season.

Ok, so it may be expecting too much for them to repeat that feat but they may have enough in the tank to battle for another Scudetto.

Juve have always been tough to beat. Last season, that was supplemented by the young players brought through by coach Max Allegri. With more experience under their belt, they are the future.

More will naturally be expected from Paul Pogba, who is eager to re-establish himself and has failed to perform consistently at club level for about five years.

In addition, Dusan Vlahovic, should he stay, must start scoring regularly.

He did just that in their opener against Udinese last Sunday. Federico Chiesa started up front alongside Vlahovic and they dovetailed beautifully, the Serbian setting up the Italian for the opening goal in the second minute before scoring a penalty of his own. The rejuvenated Adrien Rabiot added the third before half-time.

An underwhelming transfer campaign had not exactly fuelled enthusiasm. The addition of Timothy Weah from Lille was well received, but other attempts to reinforce the attack have failed and a flirtation with Romelu Lukaku – who now seems destined for Roma – went down poorly.

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But if they can reclaim their status as Serie A’s undisputable force, that will be forgiven.

After all, this is a league where there is little to choose between the leading sides, a factor and a vulnerability which makes it the most competitive of the major leagues in Europe.

On Sunday, only long-term absentee Mattia De Sciglio will miss out for the hosts.

For Bologna, beaten 2-0 by Milan in their league opener on Monday night, goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski should make his 250th Serie A appearance and become the second Polish player to reach such a milestone this century after Piotr Zielinski (336).

He is set to start behind a back four missing Adama Soumaoro, who could be sidelined until 2024 by a knee injury, while Gambian forward Musa Barrow is a doubt for the trip.

With Marko Arnautovic now wearing an Inter jersey, Joshua Zirkzee should lead the visitors’ front line,

Realistically, all the Serie A 2023 highlights should belong to Juve.

History

Juve are unbeaten in their last 22 Serie A matches against Bologna, winning on 17 occasions.

The Rossoblu have won just one of their last 41 top-flight meetings, the most recent in February 2011 in Turin when current sporting director Marco Di Vaio bagged a brace in a 2-0 success.

The corresponding fixture last season saw Juventus run out 3-0 winners with Filip Kostic, Vlahovic, and Arkadiusz Milik on target.

The return match in April ended 1-1 when Milik equalised an early penalty from Riccardo Orsolini.

Overall, Juventus have won 36 of their 50 clashes with 12 draws and just two Bologna victories.