Chelsea travel to Italy to face Juventus on Wednesday in their second group stage match of this year’s Champions League. Both sides won their opening group match, with the Blues registering a slender 1-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg.
The Blues lost their first match of the season in all competitions this past weekend, losing 0-1 to defending Premier League champions Manchester City, in the league. Thomas Tuchel’s men will be expected to bounce back and win on Wednesday night, against a struggling Juventus team, though. This is the first time these two sides are meeting since 2012, when Juve won the game 3-0.
Let’s take a look at the possible Chelsea lineup against Juventus.
Team News
Christian Pulisic will miss the game against Juve, as he is still on the road to recovery following his injury on international duty. Mason Mount missed the weekend’s game against Manchester City after suffering an injury in the EFL Cup game and remains out.
Reece James twisted his ankle in the game against City and is unlikely to be fit before the international break. Jorginho too suffered a knock in the game, but he should be available.
N’Golo Kante has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in quarantine.
PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP VS JUVENTUS (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
Edouard Mendy returned to the Chelsea lineup against Manchester City, replacing Kepa. He should keep his place for the key clash against Juve.
Defence
Thiago Silva didn’t start the City game, but was brought on in the 30th minute after Reece James’ injury. He will likely start at the back alongside Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in the Chelsea lineup.
Captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who started as part of the back three, should move to the right wing-back position.
The impressive Marcos Alonso will keep his place in the left wing-back position, ahead of Ben Chilwell.
Trevoh Chalobah is an option at the back for Tuchel.
Midfield
The Chelsea manager has a big decision to make regarding the balance of the side’s midfield. Tuchel started N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic for the game against Manchester City, but he is unlikely to go back to that formula in the foreseeable future.
Kante’s absence opens up a possible slot for the back-again Ruben Loftus-Cheek but we are once again going for the pair of Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho in central midfield.
Saul is an option in midfield, but he is likely to be on the bench.
Attack
Romelu Lukaku will surely start for Chelsea against Juve on Wednesday. Kai Havertz, who was a second half substitute against Manchester City, could play in this game, in place of Kante.
Timo Werner could start from the left side and play close to Lukaku in the Chelsea lineup.
The likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech are further options in attack.
