Juventus prepare to take on AC Milan in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final clash on Friday as Italian football returns for the first time since the coronavirus-enforced postponement.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg and will be vying for a spot in the final against Napoli or Inter Milan prior to their clash on Saturday.
Match preview
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Italy has been horribly affected by the outbreak of COVID-19, but fans across the globe can now look forward to the resumption of Serie A on June 20.
Until then, two of the country's most successful clubs will lock horns in the Coppa Italia, and Juventus will no doubt be desperate to regain their crown this time around after a disappointing run last season.
Indeed, Maurizio Sarri's side have triumphed a record 13 times in the competition, but the Old Lady were forced to watch Lazio lift the trophy last year as they were knocked out by runners-up Atalanta in the quarter finals.
For all their dominance in the Serie A scene in recent years, Juventus have not wrapped up the title just yet as they sit only one point clear atop the rankings.
However, Sarri's side had amassed a strong set of results prior to the suspension - picking up three wins from their last four before play was halted.
Juve overcame Udinese and Roma to reach the last four of the Coppa Italia, and the Old Lady have a priceless away goal to carry over into the second leg with Milan.
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With regards to Milan, the five-time Coppa Italia champions are in the hunt for their first triumph since 2003, and they have lost to Juventus on the two occasions that they have reached the final since.
Stefano Pioli's men did manage to progress further than Juve in last year's competition, being knocked out by eventual champions Lazio in the semi finals.
I Rossoneri enjoyed victories over SPAL and Torino to reach the last four, but Milan have otherwise endured a tumultuous Serie A campaign as they lie seventh in the table after 26 games.
Furthermore, Milan's form before the postponement left a lot to be desired as Pioli's side have only won one of their last six in all competitions, despite enjoying a five-game winning run in January.
The odds are certainly stacked against I Rossoneri heading into Friday's clash; Milan have lost nine of their last 10 meetings with Juventus, chalking up just five goals in that time.
As mentioned, the first leg between the two Italian powerhouses ended in a 1-1 draw, with Cristiano Ronaldo's injury-time equaliser cancelling out Ante Rebic's opener for Milan.
Juventus Coppa Italia form: WWD
Juventus form (all competitions): LDWWLW
Milan Coppa Italia form: WWD
Milan form (all competitions): DLDWDL
Team News
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Juventus defender Merih Demiral remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament rupture, while veteran striker Gonzalo Higuain is also unlikely to feature.
Otherwise, Sarri has a fully-fit squad to pick from, with Higuain's Argentinian compatriot Paulo Dybala likely to lead the line alongside Ronaldo and Douglas Costa.
Midfield duo Miralem Pjanic and Adrien Rabiot continue to be linked with moves away from Turin, and both players may be unlikely to feature from the opening whistle.
Milan will be unable to call upon Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he suffered an injury in training, but the striker was suspended for the fixture anyway.
Theo Hernandez will also watch from the sidelines after his red card in the first leg, and the Frenchman will be joined by Samu Castillejo and Leo Duarte, who are both set to miss out.
Hernandez's absence could open up a spot for Davide Calabria to deputise at left-back, with Andrea Conti occupying the right-back position for Milan.
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Cuadrado, De Ligt, Bonucci, Sandro; Bentancur, Matuidi, Ramsey; Costa, Ronaldo, Dybala
Milan possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Conti, Romagnoli, Kjaer, Calabria; Kessie, Bennacer; Paqueta, Bonaventura, Calhanoglu; Rebic
We say: Juventus 2-0 AC Milan
There is no better way to welcome Italian football back to action than with a tasty semi-final clash between two giants, but given Juventus's stellar home form and Milan's poor recent record against the Old Lady, we are backing Sarri's side to book their place in next week's final.
Ben Knapton
