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| Juventus’ Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic (C-L) celebrates with (From L) Juventus’ Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus’ French midfielder Blaise Matuidi, Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus’ Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo after opening the scoring during the UEFA Champions League group H football match Juventus vs Valence on November 27, 2018 at the Juventus stadium in Turin. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) |
Cristiano Ronaldo
locks horns again with Colombian ace Duvan Zapata as Juventus travel to
Atalanta on Wednesday with a Coppa Italia semi-final berth at stake.
Juventus have won the last four editions of the competition — sealing
a record 18th last season by beating AC Milan in the final.
But their path towards another title after lifting the Italian Super
Cup this month could be hampered by quarter-final opponents Atalanta.
Zapata scored a double against Juventus as the side from Bergamo held the champions to a 2-2 draw in Serie A on December 26.
The league leaders had travelled to Bergamo with Ronaldo on the bench
but were forced to call on the Portuguese star after a Zapata brace
threatened their unbeaten run this season.
Both Ronaldo and Zapata are in form having scored 15 goals in Serie A so far, and are vying for top scorer.
Ronaldo slotted in the penalty that gave Juventus a hard-fought 2-1 win over Lazio on Sunday.
In Bergamo, Zapata missed a penalty but less than a minute later
scored the equaliser as his side came from three goals down to hold Roma
3-3.
It was the 27-year-old Colombian’s 14th goal in the last eight league games.
He also scored in the Coppa Italia last 16 tie against Cagliari.
Ronaldo, 33, has scored in his last eight away games, along with the
winner in the Italian Super Cup final and a Champions League goal for a
total of 17 for Juventus.
But Juventus looked sluggish for an hour on Sunday with second half
substitutes Joao Cancelo and Federico Bernardeschi saving the day in
Rome.
“Those who come off the bench are essential,” said Massimiliano
Allegri. “I was sad to leave Bernardeschi out initially, but we have a
big game coming up against Atalanta.”
Juventus will be without defender Leonardo Bonucci who sprained his
ankle at the weekend, but Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira and Mario
Mandzukic are all back training.
AC Milan v Napoli round two
Napoli travel back to the San Siro on Tuesday for round two after being held to a goalless draw there by AC Milan in the league on Saturday.
Napoli travel back to the San Siro on Tuesday for round two after being held to a goalless draw there by AC Milan in the league on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are trailing 11 points behind Juventus in
Serie A and the former AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss is
desperate to win some silverware in his first season.
Brazilian midfielder Allan returns after being dropped from Napoli’s
last game in Milan following speculation of a transfer to Paris
Saint-Germain, with Ancelotti declaring “the matter over” and the player
staying in Italy.
AC Milan’s new signing Krzysztof Piatek is in line to make his full debut, having appeared as a substitute at the weekend.
Roma travel to Fiorentina midweek with Inter Milan hosting Lazio on Thursday, after falling 1-0 against Torino.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Tuesday
AC Milan v Napoli (19:45)
Wednesday
Fiorentina v Roma (17:15), Atalanta v Juventus (19:45)
Thursday
Inter Milan v Lazio (20:00)
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