[COLOR=royal blue]BACKGROUND[/COLOR]
If ever their was a clash of little and large, this was it. Juventus are big favourites against a newly-promoted Como side with just one point from three games.
The Bianconeri enter this fixture knowing they have all but booked their place in the next round of the Champions League with that comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle on Tuesday. One English newspaper described the game as 'men against boys'
and while that is going a little far, there certainly was a gap in class. For all Alan Shearer's willing running Juve's back-four were rarely troubled and once Alessandro Del Piero had put them ahead from a free-kick (you just knew he'd score) the challenge of the Toon disappeared and Del Piero added another.
What a contrast to three days earlier when Juve were counting their lucky stars after somehow escaping with a 2-2 draw against Parma at the Delle Alpi. They struggled against a Parma side playing on the counterattack and had to rely on an 87th minute header from Igor Tudor and a late, late goal from Del Piero which had more than a hint of handball. Since that clash Tudor has been banned for one match after pulling Antonio Benarrivo's hair, while Alessio Tacchinardi picked up two games after being seen to kick Sabri Lamouchi in the inner thigh.
Como picked up their first point in last week's 1-1 draw at home to Reggina. Benito Carbone put them ahead from the spot but Shunsuke Nakamura equalised with a penalty kick of his own.
It was always gong to take time for the squad to bed in as many of the players were thrown together after a hectic summer of wheeling and dealing. They lack punch up front, though (new Croatian striker Bjelanovic of whom much was expected has been very disappointing), and at the back they've looked far from assured. A major improvement is needed, and fast.
[COLOR=royal blue]LATEST TEAM NEWS[/COLOR]
Juventus : Pessotto and Conte are both still injured, while Marco Di Vaio will sit out after picking up that head injury on Tuesday. The unsettled Salas is expected to be given the nod to partner Del Piero, despite Trezeguet's first appearance of the season against Newcastle. Tudor and Tacchinardi are both suspended, so Ferrara and Camoranesi will come in.
PL (4-3-1-2): Buffon, Thuram, Iuliano, Ferrara, Moretti, Camoranesi, Baiocco, Davids, Nedved, Salas, Del Piero.
Como : coach Loris Dominissini's only absentee is Tarantino who is injured. Bjelanovic and Carbone will continue up front.
PL (4-4-2): Brunner, Gregori, Tomas, Padalino, Stellini, Binotto, Cauet, Allegretti, Pecchia, Bjelanovic, Carbone.
[COLOR=royal blue]PLAYERS TO WATCH[/COLOR]
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)- the Italian international is in red hot form and looks like scoring at any time. Rest assured, also, if the Old Lady get a penalty Alex will convert.
Benito Carbone (Como)- the former Bradford player netted from the spot last week and along with Bjelanovic is the man charged with scoring the goals to keep the club up.
If ever their was a clash of little and large, this was it. Juventus are big favourites against a newly-promoted Como side with just one point from three games.
The Bianconeri enter this fixture knowing they have all but booked their place in the next round of the Champions League with that comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle on Tuesday. One English newspaper described the game as 'men against boys'
and while that is going a little far, there certainly was a gap in class. For all Alan Shearer's willing running Juve's back-four were rarely troubled and once Alessandro Del Piero had put them ahead from a free-kick (you just knew he'd score) the challenge of the Toon disappeared and Del Piero added another.What a contrast to three days earlier when Juve were counting their lucky stars after somehow escaping with a 2-2 draw against Parma at the Delle Alpi. They struggled against a Parma side playing on the counterattack and had to rely on an 87th minute header from Igor Tudor and a late, late goal from Del Piero which had more than a hint of handball. Since that clash Tudor has been banned for one match after pulling Antonio Benarrivo's hair, while Alessio Tacchinardi picked up two games after being seen to kick Sabri Lamouchi in the inner thigh.
Como picked up their first point in last week's 1-1 draw at home to Reggina. Benito Carbone put them ahead from the spot but Shunsuke Nakamura equalised with a penalty kick of his own.
It was always gong to take time for the squad to bed in as many of the players were thrown together after a hectic summer of wheeling and dealing. They lack punch up front, though (new Croatian striker Bjelanovic of whom much was expected has been very disappointing), and at the back they've looked far from assured. A major improvement is needed, and fast.
[COLOR=royal blue]LATEST TEAM NEWS[/COLOR]
Juventus : Pessotto and Conte are both still injured, while Marco Di Vaio will sit out after picking up that head injury on Tuesday. The unsettled Salas is expected to be given the nod to partner Del Piero, despite Trezeguet's first appearance of the season against Newcastle. Tudor and Tacchinardi are both suspended, so Ferrara and Camoranesi will come in.
PL (4-3-1-2): Buffon, Thuram, Iuliano, Ferrara, Moretti, Camoranesi, Baiocco, Davids, Nedved, Salas, Del Piero.
Como : coach Loris Dominissini's only absentee is Tarantino who is injured. Bjelanovic and Carbone will continue up front.
PL (4-4-2): Brunner, Gregori, Tomas, Padalino, Stellini, Binotto, Cauet, Allegretti, Pecchia, Bjelanovic, Carbone.
[COLOR=royal blue]PLAYERS TO WATCH[/COLOR]
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)- the Italian international is in red hot form and looks like scoring at any time. Rest assured, also, if the Old Lady get a penalty Alex will convert.
Benito Carbone (Como)- the former Bradford player netted from the spot last week and along with Bjelanovic is the man charged with scoring the goals to keep the club up.
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