Juventus will welcome Nantes to the Allianz Arena in Turin for their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday. The first-leg match will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
The Bianconeri go into the Europa League playoffs after finishing third in Champions League Group H. Juventus ended the group stage behind Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain, as they crashed into the Europa League.
Next 🆙: Nantes 😤 pic.twitter.com/Eg3heweeFS— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) February 14, 2023
Next 🆙: Nantes 😤 pic.twitter.com/Eg3heweeFS
Nantes finished second in their Europa League group behind Germany’s Freiburg. The Canaries collected nine points from six games in the Europa League group stage. They somehow qualified for the playoff round despite posting a –5-goal difference.
After a slow start to the season, Nantes have improved in recent weeks. The team is unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions. The reigning French Cup winners are coming off a 1-0 win in Ligue 1 against Lorient.
Juventus are on a three-game win streak in all competitions. After suffering a point deduction due to off-field issues, the Bianconeri have improved on the pitch, picking up wins. Juventus defeated Fiorentina 1-0 in Serie A at the weekend.
Max Allegri’s team plays its best football at home in Turin. Juventus have a home record of 11W-3D-3L. Nantes are not a strong away team, as they posted a record of four wins, seven draws, and seven defeats with a goal difference of –5.
Manager Antoine Kombouaré has three players in the Nantes’ treatment room ahead of the match. Ignatius Ganago is a doubt due to personal reasons. Moses Simon has a thigh injury and is unlikely to play. Forward Quentin Merlin is ruled out until March.
Allegri has more injury worries heading into the game than Nantes’ manager Kombouaré. Forward Juan Cuadrado is unlikely to play after suffering an illness. Midfielder Fabio Miretti is out with an ankle injury.
Arkadiusz Milik is out with a muscle strain. Midfielder Paul Pogba is also a doubt following a muscle issue. Allegri recently said Pogba cannot be a part of the team due to issues he is causing on and off the training pitch.
Defender Leonardo Bonucci is a doubt due to physical discomfort. Forward Kaio Jorge is unlikely to make the squad due to a tendon problem.
Two of Juventus’ last three wins in all competitions finished as 1-0 wins. The Bianconeri should edge Nantes in the first leg with a single goal being scored in the game. Juventus should pick up a 1-0 victory at home.