Your comprehensive guide to the Juventus and Freiburg match in the UEFA Europa League 2022/2023

Aiming to leave domestic difficulties behind and also take a step more detailed to some silverware, Juventus host Bundesliga upstarts Freiburg on Thursday night, in the Europa League's last 16.

The groups assemble in Turin for the first leg, with the hosts having actually lost at the weekend to drop even more behind in Serie A - where they have actually already been anchored 15 factors - and their site visitors riding high in the German leading trip.

Currently clear favourites to proceed entering into their playoff connection with Nantes last month, Juventus may have been stung by a blistering counter-attack to attract the house leg 1-1, but inevitably reduced through in France as Angel Di Maria nabbed a hat-trick versus 10-man opponents.

After Nicolas Pallois was sent in the 17th min, Juve's job was made all the more simple, and they went on to make a much more effective begin to their Europa League project than the surface of their participation in Europe's leading competitors.

Among the drop-outs from the Champions League team phase, where they lost 5 times, the Bianconeri ultimately recuperated from such shame by embarking on a lengthy winning run in Serie A without acknowledging a goal.

Max Allegri's men were after that humbled for a second time this period by Serie A beginners Monza, before another positive run of results saw them rise in the direction of the top 6 despite a hefty points deduction for monetary indiscretions hindering their difficulty.

Nevertheless, Sunday's high-profile encounter Roma at Stadio Olimpico saw them stopped in their tracks, as a Gianluca Mancini error divided the sides before Juve striker Moise Kean was sent off late on, only moments after leaving the bench.

Nevertheless, adhering to an eight-match unbeaten touch previously, Juventus are not only still in Europe but likewise into the Coppa Italia semi-finals; resting seventh in the Serie A standings with greater than a 3rd of the season to go.

The two-time European champions may have slid down the ranks in regards to continental standing - and off-field occasions remain to drag the club's name via the mud - but prior to inviting Freiburg to Turin, they have lost just among their last 16 games at Europa Organization level.

Not accustomed to midweek evenings under the brilliant lights of Europe, Freiburg will not just encounter Juventus for the first time this week, Thursday's clash at the Allianz Stadium will also note their initial competitive meeting with an Italian opponent.

One of simply three teams to go unbeaten via the group stage - winning four times in the process - the Black Woodland club have actually included only periodically in either the UEFA Cup or Europa League, yet are enjoying their finest run this period.

Only Actual Sociedad have actually conceded less objectives than Freiburg's three in the Europa League, and also the last likewise completed well free from Juve's recent victims Nantes in Group G throughout the fall.

Under maverick coach Christian Streich, who has actually been in charge of since 2011, they have actually shed only 5 times all period, while Saturday's standstill with Borussia Monchengladbach brought only a second failure to score in their last 17 matches.

Streich's side may have just recently slipped outside the Bundesliga's leading 4, with that said 0-0 result at Gladbach leaving them 5th, however still sit just 2 points reluctant of third-placed Union Berlin - one more group still standing in this year's Europa Organization.

Without a doubt, an excellent tally of 42 points after 23 games represents a new club document for Pass away Breisgauer, that will now look for to proceed their unlikely progress on the continent.

After Federico Chiesa and also Paul Pogba appeared from the bench on Sunday, both were contenders to start on Thursday, yet the last showed up late for training this week and also has been visited Juventus manager Max Allegri. Chiesa is anticipated to be unemployed.

While Pogba's midfield coworker Fabio Miretti has currently recouped from an ankle injury, Polish ahead Arkadiusz Milik is not available, so Dusan Vlahovic as well as Angel Di Maria need to be paired up front one more time.

Di Maria has been straight involved in six goals from five European components this period, with both coming via a hat-trick of objective involvements: 3 aids versus Maccabi Haifa in October and also his three-way strike at Nantes last time out.

Elsewhere, Alex Sandro saw his part in the loss to Roma finished prematurely due to a muscular tissue strain, so his half-time replacement Leonardo Bonucci might make an initial start of the year if the Brazilian stops working to recoup.

Familiar with Italian dirt - despite being born in Germany - Freiburg's Vincenzo Grifo has already exceeded his nine-goal Bundesliga tally of 2021-22, with 12 after 23 suits, and the Italy international also scored two times in the Europa League team phase.

That tally is improved only by Michael Gregoritsch (three goals), that was sidelined by tonsillitis at the weekend break, but might go back to Christian Streich's schedule on Thursday.

Ritsu Doan got rid of ailment to make the bench on Saturday as well as is additionally anticipated to find into the visitors' starting XI. Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, nonetheless, had his season finished by an ACL injury last month.

Juventus feasible starting lineup:

Freiburg possible starting schedule:

We say: Juventus 2-1 Freiburg

Juventus have actually not won a European prize considering that 1996, and with an indicate prove given current events at the club, they must be clear-minded regarding their job. While Freiburg are much from piece of cakes, the Bianconeri have even more individual top quality as well as experience at this level, so can take a lead with them to Germany next week.