The Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi will host an intriguing Serie A encounter on September 20, as Hellas Verona search for their first win of the campaign against a Juventus side that has started the season in blistering form. While the two clubs enter the match with vastly different momentum, history suggests Verona could yet make life difficult for the visitors.
Verona Still Searching for Rhythm
Paolo Zanetti’s Verona have endured a frustrating start, collecting only a single point from their opening two fixtures. Their most recent outing—a 0–0 draw with Cremonese—highlighted defensive resilience but also underlined their ongoing attacking problems. Gift Orban and Giovane have yet to establish themselves as consistent threats up front, while new midfield arrivals Roberto Gagliardini and Suat Serdar are still adjusting to Zanetti’s system.
Currently sitting 17th in the table, Verona will be relying heavily on home advantage and tactical discipline. The pace of Rafik Belghali on the flanks and the strength of Amin Sarr up front could provide outlets on the counterattack, though much will depend on whether they can convert their limited opportunities. Goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò, known for his sharp reflexes, will once again play a vital role in keeping his side competitive.
Juventus in Full Flow Under Tudor
Juventus, by contrast, enter this clash unbeaten and brimming with confidence. Igor Tudor’s appointment has breathed new life into the Bianconeri, who boast three wins from three matches. Their latest victory—a thrilling 4–3 battle with Inter—demonstrated both attacking verve and mental toughness.
Summer signings have already made a strong impact. Jonathan David has provided pace and finishing in the absence of Dusan Vlahović, while Teun Koopmeiners has slotted seamlessly into midfield alongside Manuel Locatelli. Creative sparks Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição have also impressed, giving Juventus multiple options in attack. At the back, the trio of Bremer, Pierre Kalulu, and Lloyd Kelly has brought added solidity, helping them to a goal difference that reflects their early dominance.
Tactical Edge and Key Battles
Verona’s best chance lies in keeping a compact shape and hitting Juventus on the break, particularly exploiting transitions and set pieces where the visitors can occasionally be vulnerable. Zanetti’s side has a reputation for frustrating big teams at home, and past meetings at the Bentegodi have often been tighter than expected.
Still, Juventus’ depth and tactical clarity make them favorites. David’s intelligent movement up front could expose gaps in Verona’s defense, while Koopmeiners’ control of midfield may limit Verona’s ability to launch counters. If Verona can hold out in the first half, the contest could become more unpredictable after the break, but sustaining that discipline for 90 minutes against this Juventus side will be a huge challenge.
Prediction
On paper, the form guide points clearly toward Juventus. Yet Verona’s stubborn defensive record in recent games suggests this may not be the goal-fest some expect. A 2–1 Juventus win feels like the most plausible outcome, with the Gialloblù snatching a goal but ultimately undone by the visitors’ superior quality.
However, statistical trends hint at a lower-scoring affair. Eight of Verona’s last ten Serie A games have finished with under 2.5 goals, while 13 of Juventus’ last 17 away fixtures in the league have followed the same pattern. That makes a goalless draw or a narrow single-goal win entirely possible.
Prediction: Verona 0–0 Juventus