Game Time Thread: Juventus vs. Bologna

For the first two weeks of December, a lot of the discussion was how Juventus had a killer eight-day stretch that will impact their season both domestically and in Europe. There was no way to avoid it, really. It’s hard not to talk about having a big game after big game when you’re playing Napoli and Inter Milan in between a decisive Champions League group stage game.

Juventus got through that stretch with two wins and a draw.

So, what’s next?

Here are the opponents that Juventus will face between now and the first leg of their Round of 16 tie against Tottenham on Feb. 13 in Turin:

Bologna, Genoa (Coppa Italia), Roma, Hellas Verona, Cagliari, Genoa, Chievo Verona, Sassuolo, Fiorentina

Entering this weekend, this is where those teams currently sit in the Serie A standings:

Bologna (11th), Genoa (16th), Roma (4th), Hellas Verona (19th), Cagliari (14th), Genoa (16th), Chievo Verona (12th), Sassuolo (15th), Fiorentina (10th)

So what you’re saying is might be that things are easing up a wee bit between now and the middle of February?

Of course, not every game against the opposition listed above will end up being a 3-0 blowout where we just sit back and laugh because Juventus are playing great and there’s no pressure at all. As much as I’d love for that to be the case, I’m a realist and know that there’s bound to be a grinder or two along that stretch because that’s just how these kinds of things work.

Seems like things might be turning in Juventus’ favor, doesn’t it?

However...

At least there’s that, right? Gotta look for the positives when it seems like half of the usual starting lineup won’t be playing today.

MATCH INFO

Location: Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy

Kickoff time: 3 p.m. local time in Italy; 2 p.m. in the United Kingdom; 9 a.m. on the East Coast; 6 a.m. on the West Coast

STARTLING LINEUPS

Juventus starting XI (4-3-3): Szczesny; De Sciglio, Benatia, Barzagli, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic, Matuidi; Douglas Costa, Higuain, Mandzukic

Juventus bench: Pinsoglio, Loria, Rugani, Asamoah, Marchisio, Bentancur, Sturaro, Bernardeschi, Pjaca, Dybala

Bologna starting XI (4-3-3): Mirante; Mbaye, Helander, Gonzalez, Masina; Poli, Pulgar, Donsah; Verdi, Destro, Okwonkwo

WATCH IT

TV: beIN SPORTS USA, Rai Italia America (United States); beIN Sports Canada, Rai Italia America (Canada); BT Sport 1 (United Kingdom); PremiumSport 2 HD, Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia (Italy)

Online/Mobile: beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV (United States); beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada, fuboTV Canada, DAZN Canada (Canada); BT Sport Live (United Kingdom); SKY Go Italia, Premium Play (Italy)

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