Aiming to leave domestic troubles behind and take a step closer to some silverware, Juventus host Bundesliga upstarts Freiburg on Thursday night, in the Europa League’s last 16.

The teams convene in Turin for the first leg, with the hosts having lost at the weekend to fall further behind in Serie A – where they have already been docked 15 points – and their visitors riding high in the German top flight.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri called for his team to “be calm” following Sunday’s Serie A 1-0 defeat to Roma, in which they hit the woodwork three times and saw Moise Kean sent off less than a minute after being substituted on!

That ended a seven-match unbeaten run (W6, D1) which had helped them progress to the UEFA Europa League (UEL) last 16 so they’ll be searching for an immediate response as they host Freiburg.

With the domestic title out of reach after their 15-point penalty for financial irregularities, this is one of Juventus’ two remaining chances of silverware this term along with the Coppa Italia.

Their chances may be boosted if they can maintain the calmness Allegri has requested, as they’ve never lost a UEL home match (W5, D7), whilst they’re unbeaten in their last four home matches against German opponents (W2, D2).

Juventus Europa League form:

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Juventus form (all competitions):

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Freiburg Europa League form:

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Freiburg form (all competitions):

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Players to watch: Ángel Di María has scored four goals across Juventus’ last four games, including a hat-trick to see off Nantes.

Freiburg’s Italian winger Vincenzo Grifo will be looking to have a similar effect against some of his international team-mates, with four of his last six club goals arriving before the 30th minute.

Hot stat: Juventus have lost just one of their last 12 home games played on a Thursday (W7, D4).

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Danilo, Bremer, Bonucci; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Chiesa; Di Maria; Vlahovic

Freiburg possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Hofler; Doan, Gregoritsch, Grifo; Holer

Juventus vs Freiburg – Juventus to win & over 2.5 goals FT

Juventus have not won a European trophy since 1996, and with a point to prove given recent events at the club, they should be clear-minded about their task. While Freiburg are far from pushovers, the Bianconeri possess far more individual quality and experience at this level, so can take a lead with them to Germany next week.