Juventus vs Udinese preview - Strama still wary of weakened Juve

Udinese head coach Andrea Stramaccioni expects a tough test against Juventus on Saturday despite the fact the Italian champions are missing several key players.

Juve are without the services of Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo, Andrea Barzagli and Alvaro Morata, who are all out injured for the Serie A clash in Turin.

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini is suspended and, to further complicate matters for Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri, Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez is doubtful after he sustained a muscular injury in training.

"We expect a difficult game at Juventus even if they are missing several important players," Stramaccioni told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm sure the players that will replace them will be eager to prove their worth."

Stramaccioni has reason to be wary considering Juve were unbeaten at home during the 2013-14 campaign and went on to claim their third straight Scudetto.

"We need to play an intelligent game," Stramaccioni said. "We will need to run much more than them and make fewer mistakes than they do if we are to have a chance against them."

Juve, under their new boss Allegri, started the campaign with a 1-0 victory at Chievo and begin their Champions League adventure at home to Malmo on Tuesday night.

"We want to start the Champions League on the right foot," Allegri said. "We want to go far in this competition.

"However, we will only focus on the game against Malmo after our match against Udinese."

Stramaccioni, who replaced Francesco Guidolin in the Friuli dugout this summer, will also be without several players.

Defenders Gabriel Silva and Giovanni Pasquale are sidelined with muscular problems while goalkeeper Simone Scuffet sustained an ankle injury while on Italy Under-19 duty this week. Orestis Karnezis will start in goal.

Antonio Di Natale, whose brace earned Udinese their 2-0 opening-day win over Empoli, will lead his team's attack against Juve.