Our prediction for this Serie A match:
Following a goalless draw with Milan, Juventus will look to start a new winning run in the Serie A when they take on Verona at Allianz Stadium. The Bianconeri are only one point behind the Champions League berth, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at the Mastini. Weston McKennie is back from international duty, while Federico Chiesa remains in the recovery room. Summer signing Locatelli misses out through suspension, while both Perin and Alex Sandro have been tested positive for coronavirus.
Verona, on the other hand, were producing fine displays before the international break, with the team beating both Sassuolo and Bologna. The Mastini, though, often struggle on the travels, which is probably the main reason why home win should be considered. Simeone is banned for the visitors, while both Frabotta and Dawidowicz are out of contention with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Matthijs de Ligt):
Matthijs de Ligt is yet another product of famous Ajax football academy. After making 17 appearances for Jong Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt started playing for the senior team in 2016. The talented centre-back, who was born on August 12, 1999 in Leiderdorp (Netherlands) made his debut for the Amsterdammers on September 21, 2016 in a cup game against Willem II. Thanks to this goal Matthijs de Ligt became the second youngest goalscorer ever, behind legendary midfielder Clarence Seedorf.
In March, 2017, the Ajax defender made his debut for the Netherlands national team in a 2-0 loss to Bulgaria in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. In 2018 he received AFC Ajax Talent of the Year award (Marco Van Basten Award). Mathiijs de Ligt’s main position is centre-back and his preferred foot is right. His contract with the Amsterdammers should expire on June 30, 2021.
In the 2016/2017 season Matthijs de Ligt and his teammates made it to the Europa League final, but Ajax were beaten by Manchester United in the title game.
Highlighted Team (Verona):
Founded back in 1903, Hellas Verona are a professional football club that compete in the Italian Serie A. The “Mastini” are well known for their yellow and blue jerseys and they welcome their opponents at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi. Hellas Verona share rivalry with Chievo Verona and the two local rivals face each other in the “Derby della Scala”.
The first derby of Verona was played on November 18, 2001, with Hellas Verona emerging triumphant (3-2). In 1985 the Mastini won their first and only Scudetto, with the team finishing the season in top position in the Serie A standings, four points clear of second-placed Torino. The likes of Preben Elkjaer, Giuseppe Calderisi, Hans-Peter Briegel, Pietro Fanna and Antonio Di Gennaro led Hellas Verona to the historical success.
However, the most famous footballer who played for Verona is Romania international Adrian Mutu, who scored 16 goals in 57 appearances in the league for the Stadio Marc’ Antonio Bentegodi outfit. Verona will compete in the Italian top flight in the 2017/2018 season as they finished the 2016/2017 Serie B campaign in second position in the table.