Ranieri: “Another important test for us”
The time has come for the first 90-minute test against Serie A opponents. Saturday night (at 8.45 pm, live on Rai 1 and Juventus Channel), in Cesena, Juventus will face Roma, one of the favourites for the League title.
It'll be another chance to test the group's growth, as Manager Ranieri himself confirmed on the eve of the match: “Summer tournaments and friendlies are useful for getting into shape. I'm glad to play them because proper matches are the best possible training. Is it a special game for me? It's true that I used to play for Roma, but we're talking about the 1973/74 season - ancient times. Roma are a good team and they've purchased excellent players”.
Ranieri can count on Gigi Buffon and Pavel Nedved too to play against Spalletti's Giallorossi: they've both recovered from the problems that prevented them from taking part in the Birra Moretti Trophy. On the other hand, Grygera, Chiellini and Palladino will have to miss the game.
The Czech defender has been continuing his therapy and may be able to start training again with the others as early as Sunday afternoon's session. The same is true for Chiellini, who has yet to recover from the contusion to his right calf he suffered on Wednesday. Palladino, however, is just suffering from a little fatigue.
Meanwhile, there's good news about Jonathan Zebina. The ultrasound tests he underwent this morning showed that there's no sign of damage, just an inflammation to the right thigh flexor muscle, so the defender may be able to start training again on Sunday as well.
These are the 20 players called up for the trip to the Emilia Romagna region.
Goalkeepers: Buffon, Belardi, Novembre
Defenders: Andrade, Birindelli, Boumsong, Criscito, Legrottaglie, Molinaro
Midfielders: Almiron, Nedved, Nocerino, Olivera, Salihamidzic, Tiago, Zanetti
Strikers: Del Piero, Iaquinta, Trezeguet, Zalayeta
juventus.com
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before anyone moans about where these players are.