(Football news) Juventus host Bundesliga surprise package Freiburg on Thursday in Turin for the first leg. The hosts lost at the weekend to fall further behind in Serie A standings as they were already docked 15 points while their visitors are riding high in the Bundesliga. Juventus suffered a surprising 1-1 draw at home but ultimately eased through in France as Angel Di Maria bagged a hat-trick. Juventus in the Champions League group phase, lost five times but the Bianconeri subsequently bounced back from that by going on a winning run in Serie A without conceding a goal.

Max Allegri’s men suffered an embarrassing loss last week against Serie A newcomers Monza, and on Sunday they saw Roma defeat them. A Gianluca Mancini screamer split the sides before Juve striker Moise Kean was sent off late on after coming on as a substitute. Nevertheless, after an eight-match unbeaten streak, Juventus are not only still in Europe but also into the Coppa Italia semi-finals and are sitting seventh in the Serie A standings despite getting 15 points deducted this season.They have chance to get into the European places with more than a third of the season to go. The two-time European champions have lost just one of their last 16 games in the  Europa League.

Freiburg will encounter Juventus for the first time in their history as Thursday’s clash at the Allianz Stadium will also mark their first competitive meeting with an Italian opposition. Freiburg were one of just three teams to go undefeated through the group phase as they won four times in the group. The Black Forest club have featured only in the UEFA Cup or Europa League, but they are currently enjoying their best run this season. Only Real Sociedad have conceded fewer goals than Freiburg’s three in the Europa League.

Christian Streich, who has been in charge of Freiburg since 2011 as this season they have lost only five times. Freiburg drew with Borussia Monchengladbach which was only a second failure to score in their last 17 matches. Streich’s side have recently slipped outside the Bundesliga’s top four. They are still only two points shy of third-placed Union Berlin. They have conjured up an impressive tally of 42 points after 23 games which subsequently represents a new club record  who will now seek to continue their progress in the Europa League.

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

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