Chelsea predicted XI for Juventus: Return to 3-4-3 with who is available

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Chelsea’s Italian midfielder Jorginho reacts after scoring his penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Super Cup football match between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park in Belfast on August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right wingback, Spain

Reece James suffered a setback against Manchester City, and he could be out for a while. In his absence, we could see Callum Hudson-Odoi get a chance in the position. However, the magnitude of the upcoming game suggests that Azpilicueta will be deployed in that role. The Spaniard has always been reliant on the right side, and he has a tendency to put in some good crosses, but he was guilty of delaying some attacks against City. Against Juventus, Azpilicueta will have to be more proactive in attack as the Blues’ forwards have lacked supply in recent games. Remember that cross to Romelu Lukaku against Zenit? More of that, please, Dave.

Jorginho (No. 5) Central Midfielder, Italy

In the absence of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho will have to pull the strings from midfield, and he will have to be very careful. City caught him with the press over the weekend, and that shouldn’t repeat against Juventus. In Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Rodrigo Bentacur, Juventus boasts of a quality midfield, and it will be interesting to see how Jorginho will perform against them. He knows a majority of the players from the national team, and that is something that Blues could use in Italy.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 17) Central midfielder, Croatia

Mateo Kovacic has usually been the player that beats the press for Chelsea. However, he failed to do that against City and couldn’t keep the ball for long. Tuchel will hope that he brushes aside that game and focuses on the challenge that Juventus’ midfield poses. With Kante and Mason Mount out for the match, Kovacic will need to take more responsibility and link attack and midfield.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left wingback, Spain

Marcos Alonso has a knack of starting seasons exceptionally, and usually, his performances start dipping at some point. Now, Alonso was horrible against City, but the Blues don’t really have an option as Chilwell is still struggling to get back to his previous self. Expect Alonso to put in an industrious shift against Juventus as he looks to forget THAT game against City.

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