As the race for Champions League qualification heats up, Juventus faces a critical match against Parma in Matchday 33 of the 2024/2025 Serie A season. The match is set to take place on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 2:45 PM ET, with both teams eyeing desperately needed points.
Juventus, currently sitting in fifth place, finds itself in a precarious position following Bologna's recent 1-0 victory over Inter, which has left the Bianconeri outside of UEFA’s premier club competition. With only three points separating them from the coveted fourth spot, Juventus must secure a win against a struggling Parma side that is battling to avoid relegation.
Parma enters this match with a mere 28 points, just three clear of the relegation zone, making this clash critical for their survival in Serie A. The stakes couldn't be higher, as both teams are in dire need of a favorable result.
The match will be broadcast live in the USA on Fubo, CBS Sports Golazo Network, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, FOX Deportes, and DirecTV Stream, ensuring that fans won’t miss a moment of the action.
In terms of squad news, Juventus will be without midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, who has not been included in the travelling squad for this match. Additionally, Kenan Yildiz's status is uncertain due to an impact injury sustained during training last week, casting doubt on his availability as a starter.
With two key players potentially sidelined, Juventus manager Igor Tudor is likely to rely on Nico Gonzalez and Randal Kolo Muani in the attacking roles behind Dusan Vlahovic. This could mark Kolo Muani's first start since Tudor took over from Thiago Motta in March, as he is preferred over Francisco Conceicao.
The probable line-ups for the match are as follows:
Parma (3-5-2): Suzuki; Leoni, Valenti, Vogliacco; Delprato, Sohm, Bernabé, Keita, Valeri; Pellegrino, Bonny.
Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Veiga, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; N. Gonzalez, Kolo Muani; Vlahovic.
Juventus is looking to bounce back after a disappointing exit from the Coppa Italia, where they were eliminated by Empoli in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Despite the setback, Juventus coach Motta remains optimistic about his team’s quality and mentality. "The way we got to the three points was important and it wasn't easy," he stated after their last match, emphasizing the need for calmness and focus.
In their previous match, Juventus secured a 2-0 victory against Verona, with late goals from Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeiners. The Bianconeri dominated the game, firing off 27 shots to Verona's five, with 12 of those coming in the first half alone. This performance showcased their attacking prowess, a crucial factor they hope to replicate against Parma.
Koopmeiners, who joined Juventus from Atalanta for a reported fee of €55 million in August, scored his second Serie A goal in that match, marking a significant moment for the midfielder who had been searching for form since December. "Koopmeiners did well and I'm very happy for him, he's a special guy," Motta remarked, highlighting the importance of his players' confidence and mentality.
As Juventus prepares for this pivotal match against Parma, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. The Bianconeri are determined to reclaim their spot in the Champions League, while Parma is equally motivated to secure their place in Serie A for another season.
With both teams ready to fight tooth and nail, fans can expect an intense and thrilling encounter. Will Juventus rise to the occasion and secure a vital win, or will Parma’s desperation for points lead to an upset? All eyes will be on the pitch this Monday as the drama unfolds.
