Juventus vs Pisa – News and Probable Lineups

Currently sitting outside Serie A’s top four, Juventus must secure a win against relegation-threatened Pisa this Saturday.

Having managed only two points from their last four matches, the Bianconeri find themselves trailing behind Roma and Como in the battle for Champions League spots, while their opponents from Tuscany appear to be heading for relegation.

Match overview

In a Sunday night clash at the Stadio Olimpico, Juventus faced off against fellow top-four hopefuls Roma last weekend, knowing that a loss would severely impact their aspirations.

Just a few days removed from a valiant extra-time exit in this season’s Champions League against Galatasaray, Luciano Spalletti’s squad played to an exciting 3-3 draw in Serie A.

Juventus was down by two until the last 15 minutes, when Jeremie Boga scored his inaugural goal for the club, followed by a dramatic equalizer from defender Federico Gatti.

This season, no club has netted more goals during second-half stoppage time, and the Bianconeri have salvaged several points from losing scenarios – yet that determination has its limits.

Currently, Juventus has not secured a victory in their last four league fixtures, after winning seven of the previous nine, putting them in a position where they need to catch up to Como and Roma in the tight European race.

With that in mind, further mistakes are unacceptable, especially against a side that has only triumphed once all season at home.

Following a 2-0 victory in Pisa at the end of December, Juventus remains unbeaten in 15 encounters against this week’s opponents, with an impressive tally of 11 wins and four draws.

Although most of these meetings date back many years, Pisa has lost all seven Serie A away matches against Juventus, conceding a total of 20 goals in those contests.

This time around, the Tuscan club heads to Turin with hope rather than expectation of breaking that streak, having secured just a single victory in the top flight this season.

Firmly set on a swift return to Italy’s second division, the Nerazzurri have gone 16 league games without a win since their lone victory back in early November.

A 1-0 defeat to Bologna on Monday marked their third consecutive loss, and Pisa has managed to score only once in four games since the appointment of their new coach, Oscar Hiljemark.

Unless there’s an exceptional reversal in fortunes, they seem destined for relegation after just one season in Serie A; currently nine points away from safety, their comeback campaign has turned out to be quite disappointing thus far.

Team News

Juventus’ skipper, Manuel Locatelli, is set to return after serving a one-match suspension last week, while another key figure is on the verge of making a long-awaited comeback.

Dusan Vlahovic, who has been sidelined for over three months, is back in training but is not expected to make the matchday squad yet; only Emil Holm and Arkadiusz Milik remain out.

In Vlahovic’s absence, Jonathan David and Lois Openda will compete for the forward position, with Spalletti likely favoring the Canadian.

Meanwhile, Pisa continues to be without their injured trio consisting of Daniel Denoon, Isak Vural, and Simone Scuffet.

The other goalkeeper, Adrian Semper, has recently returned to full training, keeping third-choice stopper Nicolas’s place uncertain.

Arturo Calabresi (shoulder) and Felipe Loyola (ankle) are both carrying injuries, leaving their availability for the match in Turin questionable.

Juventus probable starting XI:

Perrin; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David

Pisa probable starting XI:

Always; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Marin, Angori; Moreo, Durosinmi

Juventus cannot afford another slip on Saturday, as it would significantly undermine their Champions League qualification hopes.

Given Pisa’s struggles with both confidence and performance, Juve is expected to secure their first league victory in a month.