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Juventus team news: Predicted 4-3-1-2 line up vs AC Milan – Key man out but Ronaldo starts
Juventus have received an injury blow ahead of their Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against AC Milan at the San Siro (7.45pm GMT).
Juventus have been handed a fresh injury setback after Douglas Costa limped off during the shock defeat to Hellas Verona on Saturday. The Brazilian winger picked up a thigh problem in the 2-1 reverse and is now set for several weeks on the sidelines.
Costa is certainly ruled out of tonight’s Coppa Italia semi-final second leg, although manager Maurizio Sarri could welcome Danilo back after a hamstring problem of his own.
The full-back returned to training on Tuesday and is in contention for a starting berth if Juventus rotate their squad.
Mattia De Sciglio is also an option for the Old Lady, with the Italian having returned to action as a second-half substitute against Verona.
Meanwhile, Sarri has been buoyed by the news that Giorginio Chiellini is also closing in on a return.
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The Juventus club captain has been sidelined since suffering an ACL injury in pre-season but is edging closer to a comeback with the Champions League tie against Lyon in a two weeks a target.
However, this game will come too soon for the veteran centre-back so he will watch on from the sidelines alongside Sami Khedira and Merih Demerol.
Gianluigi Buffon is expected to deputise for established No 1 Wojciech Szczesny between the posts while Daniele Rugani will hope to earn a rare start in central defence.
The 25-year-old has been on the peripheries this season but could earn a call-up if Sarri looks to rest one of Leonardo Bonucci or Matthijs De Ligt.
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De Sciglio looks favourite to replace Juan Cuadrado at right-back after his cameo last time out while Alex Sandro may have to start again if Danilo is not risked from the start.
The midfield is likely to remain unchanged with Miralem Pjanic shielding the back four while Rodrigo Bentancur and Adrien Rabiot operate in front of the Bosnian.
However, Blaise Matuidi was an unused substitute at the weekend so the Frenchman is in contention to start here.
Aaron Ramsey is another option for the Italian giants while Federico Bernardeschi could also feature if Sarri opts for a return to 4-3-1-2.
Finally, Paulo Dybala is expected to replace Gonzalo Higuain in attack with the Argentine expected to support in-form frontman Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese star has bagged 11 goals in his last seven appearances across all competitions and has also scored at least once in his last 10 Serie A matches.
Juventus have won their last nine matches against Milan in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in five of their last seven away matches against the Rossoneri.
The home side also come into the fixture on the back of a chastening derby defeat to Inter Milan, throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 4-2.
Both sides will be desperate to return to winning ways, although it is likely the first leg of the semi-final will be a cagey affair.
Milan are without Leo Duarte while Rade Krunic is a doubt but both Davide Calabria and Mateo Musacchio are expected to return.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to lead the line for Stefano Poli’s side, who are currently 10th in Serie A after a dismal campaign.
Juventus’ defeat at the weekend saw them pegged back at the top of the table, with the Old Lady now trailing Inter on goal difference while they sit just one point ahead of in-form Lazio.
Juventus predicted line-up vs AC Milan – Coppa Italia
(4-3-1-2): Buffon; De Sciglio, Rugani, Bonucci, Sandro; Pjanic, Bentancur, Rabiot; Ramsey; Dybala, Ronaldo