Juventus arrive in Cagliari looking to turn one encouraging result into the consistency that has so far escaped them this season. Three weeks after beating Atalanta, Luciano Spalletti’s side know that another win would move them into the European places and offer a firmer sign that their campaign is beginning to settle.
The decision
Spalletti has selected a 3-4-2-1 for the visit to the Unipol Domus, with Vicario in goal behind Kalulu, Bremer and Lucumì. McKennie, Sarr, Douglas Luiz and Celik form the midfield line, while Conceiçao and Nico Gonzalez support Kolo Muani in attack.
Cagliari, coached by Pisacane, line up in a 4-3-2-1. Caprile starts in goal, with Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez and Obert across the back. Adopo, Winks and Romano make up the midfield, with Massolin and Maldini operating behind Mendy.
The home side bring serious momentum into the evening. Pisacane has overseen four wins in his last five matches and Cagliari have no intention of allowing Juventus an easy route back towards the top end of the table.
Matteo Marcenaro of Genoa is the referee. Christian Rossi and Alessandro Lo Cicero are the assistants, with Daniele Doveri appointed fourth official. Giacomo Camplone is on VAR duty and Lorenzo Maggioni is the assistant VAR.
Sunday’s picture
The match offers Juventus a chance to build on their Atalanta victory rather than treat it as an isolated moment. A result in Sardinia would carry them into the European positions; anything less would leave Spalletti still searching for the continuity his side need.
For Cagliari, the contest is another measure of a team that has quickly found confidence under Pisacane. Their recent run has changed the tone around the club, and a positive night against Juventus would extend one of the more compelling early-season stories in Serie A.
