Game Time Thread: Juventus vs. Atalanta

In five days, Juventus has a very, very big game. It’s a Champions League game, one that will see Juve try and get a first-leg advantage while (hopefully) enjoying a very nice visit to Monte Carlo along the way.

But first, Juventus has a game against Europe-seeking Atalanta that Max Allegri has called “crucial” in the quest to win a sixth straight Serie A title. That trip to Bergamo, one that will see Juve and Atalanta lock horns for the third time this season (two in Serie A, one in the Coppa Italia), will be one of the biggest matches left to play this season.

First place playing fifth place.

Italy’s veteran and one of its most-experienced sides against the upstart of all upstarts filled with some of the league’s best young players.

Juventus have come out on top in both of their meetings this season.

But both of those were played in Turin. This time around, Juventus will look to keep the train rolling right along in Bergamo — a place where they have had success over the years.

Unlike previous seasons, though, Atalanta weren’t trying to secure a place in Europe like they are this season. That’s what makes this late-season meeting so intriguing to many of us. It’s not exactly the norm to see Atalanta this high up in the standings so late in the season. It just doesn’t happen, folks.

Juventus has, say, its right hand on the Scudetto. Three points tonight and maybe a couple of fingers from the left hand will be on there, too. Party day at Juventus Stadium is getting closer and closer. And there’s only one way to ensure it takes place in a couple of weeks — to keep on winning.

MATCH INFO

Location: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo, Italy

Kick-off time: 8:45 p.m. local time in Italy; 7:45 p.m. in the United Kingdom; 2:45 p.m. on the East Coast; 11:45 a.m. on the West Coast

STARTING LINEUPS

Juventus starting XI (4-2-3-1): Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuaín

Juventus bench: Neto, Audero, Lichtsteiner, Benatia, Barzagli, Asamoah, Marchisio, Lemina, Sturaro, Mattiello, Rincon, Mandragora

Atalanta starting XI (3-4-3): Berisha; Toloi, Caldara, Masiello; Conti, Freuler, Cristante, Spinazzola; Hateboer, Gomez, Kurtic

Atalanta bench: Bastoni, Cabezas, D'Alessandro, Gollini, Grassi, Kessié, Migliaccio, Mounier, Paloschi, Petagna, Raimondi

WATCH IT

TV: beIN SPORTS USA (United States); beIN SPORTS Canada (Canada); BT Sport 3 (United Kingdom); Sky Supercalcio HD, Sky Calcio 1 (Italy)

Online: fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT USA (United States); fuboTV Canada, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada (Canada); BT Sport Live Streaming (United Kingdom); SKY Go Italia (Italy)

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