Taking a break from their dismal Serie A campaign, Juventus begin their defence of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday evening, when they welcome Cagliari to Turin.
While a faltering Juve side enter the cup at this stage due to European commitments, their Sardinian counterparts have already negotiated two rounds to reach the last 16.
Match preview
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Continuing an extraordinary trend for stalemates throughout 2024, Juventus have drawn all of their last four league matches following Saturday's slip-up against rock-bottom Venezia.
Having previously shared points with AC Milan, Lecce and Bologna, the Bianconeri were held to a 2-2 draw by Serie A's last-placed side at the weekend, when only a late leveller from Dusan Vlahovic spared their blushes.
Booed off by a significant section of fans at the final whistle, Juve have posted their worst start on home soil since 1988, winning just three of nine top-flight fixtures at the Allianz Stadium this season.
Although they are still unbeaten in domestic competition after 16 rounds, Thiago Motta's men have won only six times, leaving them nine points adrift of league leaders Atalanta BC.
Things are proceeding more smoothly in the Champions League, though, as Juventus beat Manchester City 2-0 last week, securing a win that took them up to 14th in the league-phase table - they trail the top eight by just two points with two games to play.
With perhaps their best chance of collecting some silverware surely resting on the cup, Juve now return to Coppa Italia action for the first time since edging out Atalanta in last season's final.
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La Dea then went on to win the Europa League a few days later and have since surged to the top of this term's Serie A standings with a superb run of 10 straight wins - the most recent coming at Cagliari's expense.
Davide Nicola's side lost 1-0 on Saturday, despite pushing hard for an equaliser after going behind midway through the second half: both Yerry Mina and Leonardo Pavoletti had close-range headers saved by Marco Carnesecchi late on.
While Juventus are hoping to stay in contention for the Scudetto - or at least a top-four finish - Cagliari are engaged in a multi-club battle at the bottom, as they sit just above the relegation zone as things stand.
Only in 1969 have the Sardinian side ever reached the Coppa Italia final, and they have yet to lift the trophy, but after knocking out Carrarese and Cremonese in previous rounds, they now hope to prolong Juve's woes and make it through to this season's quarter-finals.
The winner of Tuesday's tie will face Empoli in February - with home advantage in their favour - so Nicola is aiming to cause a shock and set up an enticing last-eight clash with his old club.
Team News
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Ahead of what is now a high-pressure league game against Monza, Thiago Motta - who will be back on the bench after serving a touchline ban - may make multiple changes to his Juventus XI.
Both back from injury, big-money summer signings Douglas Luiz and Nico Gonzalez could be ready to start on Tuesday, while players such as Manuel Locatelli, Mattia Perin and Francisco Conceicao will all hope for promotion from the bench.
Dusan Vlahovic - Juve's top scorer this season, with 11 goals in 19 games - could be rested, despite the lack of any like-for-like alternatives.
The Serbian striker's deputy Arkadiusz Milik joins ACL victims Juan Cabal and Bremer on the sidelines, while it remains to be seen whether full-backs Andrea Cambiaso and Jonas Rouhi can recover in time to play.
By contrast with his opposite number, Cagliari coach Davide Nicola should have a full squad available, though mercurial winger Zito Luvumbo was substituted after turning his ankle on Saturday and may miss out.
Nicola will certainly have one eye on an upcoming visit to relegation rivals Venezia, so some rotation should be expected.
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Perin; Danilo, Kalulu, Gatti, Rouhi; Luiz, Locatelli, Fagioli; Conceicao, Weah, Mbangula
Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Scuffet; Wieteska, Palomino, Obert; Azzi, Deiola, Marin, Felici; Viola; Lapadula, Pavoletti
We say: Juventus 2-0 Cagliari
Although the stakes have been increased by Juve's failures in Serie A, the Bianconeri are still strong favourites to progress.
Cagliari do not tend to travel well - having picked up just one league win on the mainland this season - and are sure to give some squad players a chance.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
