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The reunion of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is on hold with Portugal’s captain ruled out for tonight’s Champions League clash in Turin after testing positive for coronavirus.
But both clubs desperately need a win. Juventus are off to a shaky start with Andrea Pirlo, who has yet to decide on a formation, while Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman needs to recover quickly from a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid.
In addition to Ronaldo, the Italians are missing key defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt, while their opponents lack injured goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and suspended Gerard Piqué.
As the two European heavyweights prepare to go head-to-head, albeit with weaker teams than they would like, Sportsmail picks a combined XI using fit and available players.
Goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
The goalkeeper has revived his Serie A career after a turbulent end to his time at Arsenal. After impressing while on loan from Roma, the stopper signed for Juve in 2017, taking over the number 1 sport from Gianluigi Buffon.
Szczesny kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions last season, five fewer than the 18 he achieved in the 2018-2019 campaign, and overall he has eliminated some of the costly mistakes that were all too frequent during his time in the Emirates.
Barca’s starting goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen might have gotten the go-ahead if he had been in shape, but the German is still recovering from knee surgery, meaning Neto, the backup attacker, will continue. in goal.
Back
Sergino Dest (Barcelona)
Possibly Barça’s brightest player at El Clásico, the 19-year-old right-back looks promising since his summer arrival from Ajax.
The defender looked menacing up front and also made a vital block from Casemiro in the first half.
The American is still on the mend, but Ronald Koeman clearly trusts him, who tried and failed to convince him to come out for the Dutch national team when he was coach.
Dest could cause makeshift defense problems for Juve if he plays to the high standards he has set for himself.
Center back
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Pirlo’s former teammate, Bonucci brings much-needed experience to a Juve defense that will miss De Ligt and Chiellini.
The center-back has been one of Italy’s best defenders for the past 10 years, which is one of the reasons he returned to Juve after leaving the club in 2018.
Bonucci also poses a set piece threat and could benefit from Piqué’s absence when attacking the corners. The defender is in line to start with Sky Sport Italia reporting that he has recovered from a muscle injury sustained in the game against Verona.
Center back
Clement Lenglet (Barcelona)
The center-back defended well at El Clásico on Saturday and is likely still offended by conceding a controversial penalty.
The 25-year-old has established a regular starting position with the Barça team and it is worth remembering that he has kept Aymeric Laporte out of the French team on several occasions.
However, he will have to be on top of his game in Turin, with his regular defensive partner Piqué suspended after his red card against Ferencvaros.
Left back
Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Like her teammate Dest, Alba was one of Barça’s best players over the weekend, despite having to return from a hamstring injury.
The defender created the Catalan goal and produced an exhibition in keeping with the most dominant Barça teams he has been part of in the past.
The Spaniard hopes his teammates will take a step forward in Turin.
Central midfield
Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
The midfielder seemed destined to leave the Italians in January, but a departure did not materialize and he has managed to force his way back to the starting eleven.
Rabiot has been one of the club’s best players after the lockout and is now a central part of Pirlo’s team.
He will look to use his strength and speed to win the midfield battle against a struggling Sergio Busquets.
Central midfield
Arthur (Juventus)
After swapping the Camp Nou for the Allianz Stadium with Miralem Pjanic the other way, Arthur will come out to impress his former team.
The 24-year-old has been in and out of the team and Pirlo has yet to settle for a midfield formation, but the Juve coach singled out the Brazilian to praise him after the weekend’s game with Verona.
He will have an important role to play in linking defense with attack and ensuring that Barça cannot dominate possession.
Central midfield
Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
The Dutchman showed glimpses of the way he kicked off his Ajax career during El Clásico.
There is hope that under the guidance of his former head of the national team he can unleash his potential and the initial signs are promising with the midfielder beginning to gain confidence.
He’s averaging more successful dribbles in the 2020-2021 campaign (2.45) compared to last season (1.95), but he’ll want to have a more direct impact on tonight’s game.
Forward right
Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
The forward’s return from injury couldn’t have come at a better time with Ronaldo’s absence and he will seek to lead the line for Pirlo’s men.
Dybala scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions last season, which saw him win the Serie A MVP (Most Valued Player) award.
That Juve has stuck to the Argentine despite the interest of other clubs in Europe shows how important it is for the team and its coach.
Center forward
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Things may not go his way today, but the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is always capable of producing a magical moment in the Champions League.
Messi can exploit a Juve defense weakened by injuries and will want to quickly overcome Saturday’s disappointment.
The captain led him for much of last season with 31 goals and 27 assists, but he will need the support of his teammates against opponents tonight.
Front left
Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
The rising Barça star became the youngest player to score at El Clásico this weekend, breaking a record held by Real Raúl legend.
The 17-year-old is off to a good start to the season with five goals and two assists in his first six games and will be looking to continue his strong scoring form tonight.
Not surprisingly, Barca have tied the Spaniard to a new long-term contract with a £ 367 million release clause designed to avoid the interest of rival clubs.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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