Juventus vs Chievo - Szczesny to get his chance for Juventus against Chievo
Posted Friday, September 08, 2017 by PA
Wojciech Szczesny will get his first opportunity to prove he can be Gianluigi Buffon's long-term successor when the Pole goes in goal for Juventus on Saturday.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper impressed across two seasons with Juve's Serie A rivals Roma and Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri, with the imminent retirement of Buffon in mind, swooped in July.
Following swiftly on from this weekend's league clash with Chievo at the Allianz Stadium is a Champions League trip to Barcelona, where the 39-year-old Buffon kept a clean sheet last season.
The veteran is being rested before the European curtain-raiser and so Allegri has promised Szczesny he will make his Juve debut against the Flying Donkeys.
He told a pre-match press conference: "Tomorrow Szczesny will play.
"We are approaching a tough match, especially from a defensive point of view - it will be a test.
"Chievo have done some good work for a few years, they've got good management. We need the three points from them, however.
"We'll worry about Barca from Sunday onwards. It's only a group-stage match, not the final."
There is mixed news for Juve's other summer signings, with Federico Bernardeschi's participation hanging in the balance while Douglas Costa is also doubtful to start.
Allegri captured Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes on loan last week but gave no clues as to whether he would line up against Chievo.
"I'm really happy with the way Howedes has integrated with everyone," added the Juve boss.
On his goals for the season, which resumes following the first international break, the Tuscan said: "When March comes around I want us to be in all three competitions.
"This is when the real campaign starts, and we are ready to get going. We have worked hard."
Chievo won their opening match 2-1 at Udinese before losing their first home game, against Lazio, by the same scoreline.
Polish striker Mariusz Stepinski joined the Flying Donkeys on loan from Nantes on transfer deadline day and should feature in Turin.
Boss Rolando Maran told reporters: "It has been a week of intense hard work as we prepare for a very important game.
"We're keen to put on a good show. We want to test ourselves and do something worthwhile in what will be a difficult test.
"Even against Juve it will be essential that we maintain our identity - we must not stray from that.
"Stepinski is a big-hearted player and is fully available. But he needs to learn how we play football."
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