Preview from Channel4
Serie A Week 26
Gobbi - Fiorentina
Stadio Olimpico
Old rivalries are renewed in Turin at the weekend as Juventus face Fiorentina in a game which could help to decide who ends up in next season’s Champions League.
Although both sides are currently occupying third and fourth in the table, the pair are aware that a sluggish end to the campaign could allow Milan – who have been in decent form during 2008 – to steal one of their places.
Points won’t be the only thing at stake at the Olimpico, though, seeing as the Bianconeri and the Viola are great adversaries. Relations have been strained since the Old Lady pipped the Tuscans to the 1982 title and things became even more heated after Viola idol Roberto Baggio was sold to Juve in 1990.
The home side will go into the game in the knowledge that a victory will see them stretch their lead over Cesare Prandelli’s side to seven points – a massive advantage at this stage of term. Yet it might be a tough ask given that they’ve lost to Reggina and only drew 0-0 with Torino in their last two games. Fiorentina have also only been beaten twice away all season.
Complicating matters even further is the fact that Claudio Ranieri is going to have to revolutionise his side. Suspension will rob him of three key men – Cristiano Zanetti, Pavel Nedved and Giorgio Chiellini. As a result, Raffaele Palladino and Antonio Nocerino will start in midfield, while January signing Guglielmo Stendardo may be drafted into the defence. The good news is that David Trezeguet should be back after being knocked down by flu.
Prandelli, a former midfielder with La Fidanzata d’Italia, will have to do without two fundamental players. A knee injury to Adrian Mutu – sold by Juve to Fiorentina – will see him sidelined for another three weeks, while Franco Semioli is also in the treatment room. That should give Christian Vieri an opportunity to start.
However, Bobo may be in for an uncomfortable afternoon versus one of his many former clubs. He’ll be up against a defence which has the best home record in the League. In 13 games, Juve have conceded just four goals.
Form wise, Fiorentina got back to winning ways after their loss at Roma thanks to a 1-0 triumph over Livorno in midweek. However, they have picked up just seven points from the last 15 on offer. Juventus, during the same period, have added eights points to their season’s tally. It looks like it could be a tight affair.
Keep an eye on: Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Fiorentina) – One of Fiorentina’s most in-form players, the young midfielder was the star of the show against Livorno in the Tuscan derby.
Last season: Not played
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I did not see anything regarding suspension on Pazzini (one I noted on the previous match thread) so I am more assured since he usually plays good against them.
Now to see our youngsters step up their game. If they can breach Livorno's catenaccio in midweek, then I have confidence we can win against them.
Serie A Week 26
Gobbi - Fiorentina
Stadio Olimpico
Old rivalries are renewed in Turin at the weekend as Juventus face Fiorentina in a game which could help to decide who ends up in next season’s Champions League.
Although both sides are currently occupying third and fourth in the table, the pair are aware that a sluggish end to the campaign could allow Milan – who have been in decent form during 2008 – to steal one of their places.
Points won’t be the only thing at stake at the Olimpico, though, seeing as the Bianconeri and the Viola are great adversaries. Relations have been strained since the Old Lady pipped the Tuscans to the 1982 title and things became even more heated after Viola idol Roberto Baggio was sold to Juve in 1990.
The home side will go into the game in the knowledge that a victory will see them stretch their lead over Cesare Prandelli’s side to seven points – a massive advantage at this stage of term. Yet it might be a tough ask given that they’ve lost to Reggina and only drew 0-0 with Torino in their last two games. Fiorentina have also only been beaten twice away all season.
Complicating matters even further is the fact that Claudio Ranieri is going to have to revolutionise his side. Suspension will rob him of three key men – Cristiano Zanetti, Pavel Nedved and Giorgio Chiellini. As a result, Raffaele Palladino and Antonio Nocerino will start in midfield, while January signing Guglielmo Stendardo may be drafted into the defence. The good news is that David Trezeguet should be back after being knocked down by flu.
Prandelli, a former midfielder with La Fidanzata d’Italia, will have to do without two fundamental players. A knee injury to Adrian Mutu – sold by Juve to Fiorentina – will see him sidelined for another three weeks, while Franco Semioli is also in the treatment room. That should give Christian Vieri an opportunity to start.
However, Bobo may be in for an uncomfortable afternoon versus one of his many former clubs. He’ll be up against a defence which has the best home record in the League. In 13 games, Juve have conceded just four goals.
Form wise, Fiorentina got back to winning ways after their loss at Roma thanks to a 1-0 triumph over Livorno in midweek. However, they have picked up just seven points from the last 15 on offer. Juventus, during the same period, have added eights points to their season’s tally. It looks like it could be a tight affair.
Keep an eye on: Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Fiorentina) – One of Fiorentina’s most in-form players, the young midfielder was the star of the show against Livorno in the Tuscan derby.
Last season: Not played
------
I did not see anything regarding suspension on Pazzini (one I noted on the previous match thread) so I am more assured since he usually plays good against them.
Now to see our youngsters step up their game. If they can breach Livorno's catenaccio in midweek, then I have confidence we can win against them.
