Allegri: Depleted Juventus needs to 'make amends' for Genoa loss

Milan - Injury-ravaged Juventus hosts Atalanta on Saturday hoping to avoid another Serie A slip.

Manager Massimiliano Allegri has little option but to pair Gonzalo Higuain, who has been recovering from an injury knock, with Croatia international Mario Mandzukic, with 16-year-old Moise Kean on the bench and Paulo Dybala expected to miss another match.

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

Juve's biggest problem, however, is 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 giant, aiming for a record sixth consecutive title, spurn the chance to move seven points clear of rivals Roma and AC Milan.

Atalanta is only five points behind in fifth place amid a purple patch of impressive wins.

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."