Thiago Motta explains why he has decided to give Nico Gonzalez, Douglas Luiz, Pierre Kalulu and Teun Koopmeiners their first Juventus starts against Empoli. ‘It’s what they can give the team.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Castellani at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Milan–Venezia on the LIVEBLOG.
Empoli have been one of the surprise packages of the campaign so far, holding Monza and Fiorentina to draws with a shock 2-1 win away to Roma.
“We must not make mistakes, because we have seen that Empoli rely on making the most of those errors to take advantage and create their chances. We have to play well,” Thiago Motta told DAZN.
Thiago Motta revamps Juventus again
An unexpected change in the starting XI was the introduction of Mattia Perin in goal rather than Michele Di Gregorio, but Juve sources assure there is no fitness concern.
“Mattia deserves to play for all his hard work in training. All three goalkeepers have been doing well and we have total faith in Mattia.”
Nico Gonzalez is a somewhat surprising pick for the starting XI, especially after injury concerns while he was away with Argentina this week.
“Merit also means what a player can give to the team at this moment, against the team we are facing and with the other teammates he will play with. Nico Gonzalez scored on international duty, he can really take opponents on down the right flank and get into the box, I am convinced he’ll have a great game.”
