Juventus v Sevilla: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Article summary
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says the "first game is the most important" of the group stage as he prepares to face a Sevilla side that has "changed a lot compared with last season".
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Article body
- Juventus defeated Sevilla 2-0 in Italy on matchday two last season
- The Bianconeri have never lost an opening fixture in 16 campaigns
- Summer signing Gonzalo Higuaín has scored three in three for Juventus
- UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla are eager to take a step up
- Don't forget to pick your Fantasy Football team before the deadline
Possible line-ups
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Dani Alves, Khedira, Lemina, Pjanić, Evra; Higuaín, Dybala.
Out: Marchisio (knee), Sturaro (knee)
Sevilla: Rico; Mercado, Rami, Pareja; Iborra, N'Zonzi, Sarabia; Mariano, Vitolo, Kiyotake; Vietto.
Out: Nasri (ill), Kolodziejczak (suspended), Trémoulinas (knee)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus coach
Sevilla have changed a lot compared with last season. They attack more now. They are very brave and score plenty of goals. And they have a lot of experience in Europe, having won the UEFA Europa League three times in a row. We will have to play with balance and patience, knowing that our objective is to earn three points and start the group stage well. The first game is the most important.
Jorge Sampaoli, Sevilla coach
We know we are facing one of the favourites to win the competition so we will have to give everything – we must work hard and sweat for the shirt. I would like to see my team play at the same level as Juve. On paper there are differences [between the sides] but I'm sure my team will take to the pitch to win and show that the gap to the top clubs is small.
Weekend results
Juventus 3-1 Sassuolo (Higuaín 4 10, Pjanić 27; Antei 33)
Gonzalo Higuaín partnered Paulo Dybala for the first time and continued his excellent start to life at Juventus, his second goal a fine volley. Miralem Pjanić then pounced to score on his debut after his header hit the bar, leaving Juve with three Serie A wins out of three.
Sevilla 2-1 Las Palmas (Sarabia 89pen, Carlos Fernández 90+4; Tana 16)
A penalty awarded in the penultimate minute – with Pedro Bigas sent off for fouling Vitolo – allowed Paulo Sarabia to level, before substitute Carlos Fernández netted his first Sevilla goal with the very last touch. Sevilla now have seven points from three games.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)*
Juventus: WWW
Sevilla: WDWL
*This season only
Reporter's view: Paolo Menicucci (@UEFAcomPaoloM)
Both teams have points to prove. Sevilla want to show they can make the step up from the UEFA Europa League, which they won for a third time in succession last season. Juventus, meanwhile, aim to extend their dominance of Italian football into Europe. Higuaín has notched three goals in as many Serie A matches for Juve, at a rate of one every 40 minutes, and his 'HD' partnership with Paulo Dybala could be irresistible.
Did you know?
Sevilla's Franco Vázquez and Juventus's Dybala were team-mates from 2013–16 – but at which club? Read more in our extensive match background.