Cristiano Ronaldo steps up for Super Cup: Juventus vs Lazio
Dybala and Higuaín should line up alongside the Portuguese superstar as Sarri targets his first silverware with The Old Lady.
The Italian Super Cup will be played abroad for the eleventh time. Today's will take place in Riyadh, with both finalists and Serie A distributing 7.5 million euros between themselves for playing it in Saudi Arabia.
Sarri's Juve vs Inzaghi's Lazio
Juventus will face up against the Lazio of Simone Inzaghi with the memory of the 3-1 defeat earlier in December still hurting. Maurizio Sarri is eyeing his first bianconero trophy against a team that knows how to make life difficult, and the coach must find a balance across his team to allow his spectacular forward line of 'Dygualdo' (Dybala-Higuaín-Ronaldo) to shine. It's an attack that most fans want to see.
Although there was no confirmation on the eleven that will take to the field, the recent showing of 'Air Cristiano' (six goals in the last five games) and the praise from the Portuguese star of the trident suggest that we are likely to see them together again. Sarri kept his cards close to his chest, however, telling prying reporters, "I don't know if they will play together from the start. We'll see."
Lazio are an opponent that must be taken seriously, currently riding high near the top of Serie A. Inzaghi has created a solid defensive unit and ahead of them has Ciro Immobile who has scored an incredible 19 goals in 20 games. A big factor in those goals has been Luis Alberto, who is inspired this season, and sits as the league's top assist provider with 11. Everything points to another great game, with a title at stake this time.
Juventus-Lazio potential line-ups
JUVENTUS XI: Szczesny; Square, Bonucci, of Ligt, Alex Sandro; Bentancur, Pjanic, Matuidi; Dybala, Higuaín, Cristiano
LAZIO XI: Strakosha; Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari, Milinkovic, Leiva, Luis Alberto, Lulic; Correa, Immobile
Referee: G. Calvarese (Italy).
Stadium: King Saud University.