28 December 2017
BIANCONERI TURNING THE SCREW
Juve have picked up 13 points from the last 15 available, as well as keeping a clean sheet in their last five, their form sees them just one point behind current leaders Napoli.
In their final match of 2017 at the Allianz Stadium, La Vecchia Signora defeated title contenders, Roma 1-0. The winning goal came in the 18th minute when former Roma defender, Medhi Benatia was on hand to follow up from Giorgio Chiellini’s near-post header. It proved to be a challenging match for the Bianconeri, which saw both sides hit the bar in the final 10 minutes via Alessandro Florenzi and Miralem Pjanic. In addition, Wojciech Szczesny was crucial in preventing a last minute Giallorossi equaliser when he saved from a one-on-one with Patrik Schick in stoppage time.
VERONA BATTLING FOR SURVIVAL
Hellas Verona have endured an inconsistent campaign to date, winning three times, drawing four, and losing 11. Although they went down 4-0 to Udinese in their last away match, Verona surprisingly beat AC Milan 3-0 in their most recent home game, so the Bianconeri will need to be prepared.
Verona are guided by former Juventus midfielder, Fabio Pecchia, who lead the Gialloblu to promotion from Serie B last season. Pecchia, who enjoyed a single season in Turin in 1997-98, previously spent time as Rafa Benitez’ assistant at Napoli, Real Madrid and Newcastle, before taking the reins at Verona.
Although they currently lie in 19th place, and three points from safety, they will perhaps be buoyed by the depth in their squad following their recruitment in the summer. Amongst the signings were former Juventus players, Martin Caceres and Marcel Buchel, whilst current Juventus striker, Moise Kean joined on loan for the season. Former Barcelona academy player, Lee Seung-Woo signed for the club, as did experienced Serie A players, Alessio Cerci and Thomas Heurtaux.
LAST TIME VS HELLAS VERONA
Last time the Bianconeri faced off against the Gialloblu two seasons ago, Juve fell 2-1 in Verona, as Luca Toni scored his last ever goal to put the home side ahead before half-time. Federico Viviani doubled Verona’s lead shortly into the second half, whilst in stoppage time Alex Sandro was shown a second yellow and Paulo Dybala grabbed a consolation from the spot. In Turin it was a different story however, as Juve won the match 3-0 thanks to goals from Dybala, Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Zaza.
Juventus will be wary of the fact that they have failed to win away to Hellas Verona in their last four attempts, as after the 2-1 defeat in 2016, there were three successive 2-2 draws. The last Bianconeri win came in 2001, Juve winning 1-0 on that occasion thanks to an Alessandro Del Piero penalty.
#VERONAJUVE MATCH STATS
- Juve and Verona have played 54 times in Serie A, the Bianconeri have won 30, whilst there have been 14 draws and 10 Gialloblu victories.
- Verona have only won one of the last 10 matches against Juve.
- The Old Lady haven’t conceded in their last five league games in a row.
- Verona have conceded at least three goals on eight occasions this season.
- The 36 goals Verona have conceded in the first 18 games is a negative club record.
- Verona have allowed the most shots to the opposition this season (335).
- Former Juventus player, Romulo has assisted three of Hellas Verona’s last six goals.
- Nicolas has made the most saves this campaign (79).
- Dybala has scored in the last three matches against Verona, all from set-pieces (two free-kicks, one penalty).
- In Serie A Massimiliano Allegri has never won at Verona in three attempts.
