Game Time Thread: Juventus vs. Bologna

The October international break, one where there wasn’t much happening outside of a couple of Italy wins and an Aaron Ramsey injury scare, is officially a thing of the past.

Juventus is back.

And Juventus is back at home.

By now, Juve players have come out of the tunnel for the first time Saturday night as Thunderstruck blasted on the speakers around Allianz Stadium in preparation for Bologna’s visit to Turin. It’s the return from the latest international break and the first game since Juventus’ thrilling 2-1 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro where we were reminded just how wonderful the country of Argentina can be.

What also came out of that Derby d’Italia win, you ask?

Well, the fact that Juve now sits alone in first place in Serie A is quite an important matter.

Now, with first place all to themselves, the Bianconeri open up a stretch of seven games in the span of 22 days — that seems like, I dunno, a lot — where they can truly establish that top-of-the-table standing not just in the league, but their Champions League group as well.

To say this late-October/early-November stretch is important is, well, a given. But, with how Juventus has been trying to be the best of the best both domestically and in Europe for the last few seasons now, it’s no surprise that this stretch is something that can help shape the season as we charge toward the holidays and the midway point of the league schedule.

It starts tonight against Bologna, which has cooled off since winning its first two games of the season. And while there will be Champions League football coming back to Turin in a matter of days, taking care of business this weekend is something that matters first.

MATCH INFO

When: Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

Where: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy

Official kickoff time: 8:45 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe; 7:45 p.m. in the United Kingdom; 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time; 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time

STARTING LINEUPS

Juventus starting XI (4-3-1-2/4-3-3): Buffon; Cuadrado, Bonucci, de Ligt, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic, Rabiot; Bernardeschi; Higuain, Ronaldo

Juventus bench: Szczesny, Pinsoglio, Danilo, Rugani, Demiral, Matuidi, Emre Can, Bentancur, Dybala

Bologna starting XI: (4-2-3-1) Skorupski; Mbaye, Danilo, Bani, Krejci; Poli, Svamberg; Orsolini, Soriano, Sansone; Palacio

HOW TO WATCH

Television: RAI Italia American (United States); RAI Italia America, TLN (Canada); Premium Sports 2 (United Kingdom)

Online/mobile: ESPN+ (United States); DAZN (Canada); Premium Player HD (United Kingdom); DAZN (Italy)

Other live viewing options can be found here, and as always, you can also follow along with us live and all the stupid things we say on Twitter. If you haven’t already, join the community on Black & White & Read All Over, and join in the discussion below.