Juventus Vs Sporting Lisbon: Spalletti's First Test In The Champions League

JAKARTA - Turin will be on Tuesday's hot stage November 4 when Juventus host Sporting Lisbon in the fourth match of the Champions League group phase. The Bianconeri, who have just changed coaches to Luciano Spalletti, are still hunting for their first win, while the Portuguese champions come with high confidence after two wins from three matches.

Spalletti made his Serie A debut with a sweet 2-1 win over Cremonese right on the 128th anniversary of the club. Filip Kostic's quick goal and Andrea Cambiaso's action gave new hope for a long frustrated tifosi. But in Europe, his record is still dark: just one point from three matches, including a 3-1 loss at home to Real Madrid.

Now, Spalletti is required to restore Juve's reputation on the highest stage. Moreover, the Bianconeri have a good record against Sporting: have never lost four meetings, including when they eliminated them in the 2023 Europa League quarter-finals.

But Sporting is not the same team. Under Rui Borges, The Lions looked stable and efficient. Pedro Gontalves is still the motor of attack, while Greek striker Fotis Ioanidis continues to add to the goal collection. They have just beaten Alverca twice a week in the league, once in a trophy.

Sporting problem may only be one: the curse of Italian soil. Of the 19 official matches in the pasta country, they have never won, lost 14 times, and returned home with a gloomy face. Napoli and Juventus have also been their nightmare.

Tim:Juve's condition is still without Bremer and Juan Cabal on the back, but there's good news: Kenan Yildiz and Lloyd Kelly can come back. Spalletti seems to be still using a flexible 3-5-2 scheme, with Dusan Vlahovic and Lois Openda duet upfront.

Sporting lost Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragan Totala, while Ivan Fresneda is doubtful. If absent, Georgios Vagiannidis is ready to replace him. On the front lines, the duet of Lisbon's version of Gonsamaalves and Luis Suarez (not those from Uruguay!) is still the main choice.

Spalletti's effects are usually instant, the organization, intensity, and confidence have increased dramatically. Sporting may be more stable, but their history in Italy is like endless deja vu. This time it is also possible that they will return home with a narrow defeat.

This victory could be Juve's turning point to challenge again in Europe or just a fatamorgana before the next storm.

Estimates of the line-up:Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Rugani, Gatti; Cambiaso, Thuram, Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Kostic; Openda, Vlahovic.Sporting Lisbon: Silva; Vagiannidis, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo; Hjulmand, Morita; Quenda, Trincao, Gonhalves; Suarez.

Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Sporting Lisbon