Trez and Nedved sidelined Friday 18 February, 2005
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Leaders Juventus will face Messina on Saturday without both David Trezeguet and Pavel Nedved.
The pair have been omitted from the squad for the Week 25 clash, escalating fears that the Czech ace will also miss the Champions’ League game against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
"Trezeguet currently has a fever and he won’t travel to Messina, but we are optimistic that he will be fine for Madrid," stated boss Fabio Capello.
"Nedved hasn’t made it either and he is a doubt for Real. At this moment in time he won’t play, even if we might still take him to Spain to see whether to risk him for part of the game."
The midfielder has been on the sidelines with a knee injury since the victory over Brescia on January 23.
Although the Bernabeu clash is undoubtedly the club’s biggest game of the season so far, Capello wants his side to focus on one match at a time.
"Messina will be very difficult," he stated ahead of the Stadio San Filippo tie. "They are a side to be feared at home.
"We are now not thinking about Real because we can’t afford any mistakes if we want to maintain our Serie A leadership."
It is unclear at this stage what sort of side Capello will select tomorrow, but Alex Del Piero will probably partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack.
The tactician is also likely to revert back to a 4-4-2, despite using a 3-4-3 against Udinese and testing a 5-3-2 in training this week.
Squad: Buffon, Ferrara, Tacchinardi, Montero, Pessotto, Emerson, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero, Chimenti, Birindelli, Camoranesi, Appiah, Zambrotta, Blasi, Thuram, Bonnefoi, Olivera, Zalayeta, Zebina, Cannavaro.
No Nedved, NO victory......:down: