02.12.2016 13:43 h

Dybala doubts as depleted Juve prep for Atalanta

Massimiliano Allegri has played down Paulo Dybala's chances of featuring when injury-ravaged Juventus host Atalanta on Saturday hoping to avoid another Serie A slip.

Dybala has only recently recovered from an injury knock and Juventus coach Allegri said he is not ready to risk the Argentina international from the start of their clash in Turin.

"He will probably be in the squad but since he only did half a training session yesterday (Thursday), he won't play from the start," said Allegri.

Allegri has little option but to pair Gonzalo Higuain, who has been recovering from an injury knock, with Croatia international Mario Mandzukic, with Dybala or 16-year-old Moise Kean on the bench.

"Higuain and Mandzukic have done well when they've played together. They'll probably play together on Sunday," added Allegri.

Juve's biggest problems, however, are in defence, injuries to Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci forcing Allegri to reshuffle and deploy a makeshift back four.

He usually deploys a back three composed of Barzagli, Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, but only Chiellini from that trio is fit.

Allegri added: "We'll play with a back four, or five. We've got enough players."

Either way, Allegri will be hoping for an improved performance after a shambolic defensive display in a 3-1 defeat to Genoa last week that saw the Turin giants, who are aiming for a record sixth consecutive title, spurn the chance to move seven points clear of rivals Roma and AC Milan.

Atalanta are only five points behind the champions in fifth place amid a purple patch that has seen the Bergamo side beat Torino, Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma.

Allegri added: "Hats-off to (Atalanta coach) Gianpiero Gasperini and the club, they're bringing through a lot of god young players and keeping the bigger sides on their toes.

"But, as champions, we owe it to ourselves to go out and make amends for last week's defeat."