Juventus vs. Olympique Lyonnais: BWRAO starting lineup vote results

It’s game day, and the ideal BWRAO team has been selected once again. The 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation continues its recent dominance, just edging out the also popular 4-3-3/4-3-2-1 formation.

In goal, Gianluigi Buffon got the closest he’s come to a unanimous vote, with only one voter selecting Neto for this important tilt.

For the backline, Leonardo Bonucci continues to be a staple in the BWRAO team, with Andrea Barzagli not far behind. Alex Sandro and Dani Alves led the voting on the flanks at 88 percent each, but there was once again a solid push for Juan Cuadrado to get into the lineup after he received 65 percent of the votes.

Juan Cuadrado is lately our best spark and has to play.

Marchisio and Cuadrado both in good form so they should be playing,

Because of this, Alves will be placed at RCB for this lineup, in sort of a 3-5-2/4-3-3 ‘zona mista’ formation. I decided this was probably the most wanted lineup because only 5 votes separated the 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation from 4-3-3/4-3-2-1, so a sort of hybrid of 3-5-2/5-3-2 on defense and 4-3-3 in attack could be the best option based on personnel selected in the vote.

In the middle of the park, there was nearly no question that BWRAO would like to see the long awaited Miralem Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira trio. There seems to be a noticeable need for rest for some of the midfielders, though, and some users opted to rest them for this game.

4 4 2, both Khedira and Pjanic needs some rest. Lemina and Marchisio in the midfield.

Pjanic probably needs a rest, though it's up to Allegri and Marchisio to see whether the latter is ready for a full 90min game. I suggest resting Khedira vs. Chievo.

More squad rotation needed for tired legs and health

I would let Asamoah play in the Chievo game, but give a starting chance for Sturaro again Lyon to rest Khedira (he needs some rest after his (tried-to-hard/not-so-good) game against Napoli.

Up front, Gonzalo Higuain and Mario Mandzukic led the way by a wide margin over the only other available striker, 16-year-old Moise Kean. Many voters continue to plea for some game time for the young attacker though, and 10% percent even opted to start him.

#makesomemoise

Give Kean some playing time

In regards to the poll question, 80 percent of voters selected that it was acceptable as a fan to support two teams, if the second team is from your hometown. Go TFC go.

Depends on what country they're in e.g. if Seattle is your hometown team and you support Juventus, then it's fine but it becomes problematic when Naples is your hometown and you support Juventus...

It depends, if the hometown team is widely known and competes directly with your favourite team, then no you shouldn't support them. If not, then it's okay.

As for my lineup, I’d go with a very similar lineup to the one BWRAO selected. The only difference would probably be Mehdi Benatia at CB over Dani Alves. Cuadrado is playing lights-out these days, and is capable of leading the right wing on his own. If we’re having trouble generating offense, Dani Alves is a great option to bring off the bench. I don’t think this is a game to be resting in, these Champions League games are games that you rest players for beforehand. I’ve been quite vocal about heavier rotation in the games leading up to the Napoli fixture and this one, but if we succeed in taking 3 points against Lyon, then I guess it was no harm done. Take no chances in these games, otherwise you could have a repeat of finishing second in the group like last year.

Anthony’s Starting XI (3-5-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Mehdi Benatia, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli; Alex Sandro, Miralem Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira, Juan Cuadrado; Mario Mandzukic, Gonzalo Higuain.

BWRAO’s Starting XI (3-5-2/5-3-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Dani Alves; Alex Sandro, Miralem Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira, Juan Cuadrado; Mario Mandzukic, Gonzalo Higuain.