BACKGROUND
Can Juve forget about last week's defeat at Brescia easily? Let's hope so for Marcello Lippi's men as their worst nightmare, Lazio, are coming to town.
They are not exactly the sort of Santa Claus gift you might expect: even if they lost against Sturm in Europe and they drew with Inter in strange fashion, Lazio are feared for their unpredicability and swift style of play.
In a frozen Delle Alpi, hardly thawed by Basle's visit in the Champions League Second Phase (crushed 4-0), Juventus hope to get back on the track to success.
Juventus always have a point to prove against Lazio, who "nicked" them a Scudetto two years ago. Key was the early April defeat in the Delle Alpi, which gave hope to Lazio before the title run-in got in motion.
It'll be a match between old friends as many players on the pitch have worn both shirts.
The last time Juve managed to sink Lazio at home was in December 97, in similar sub-zero conditions. Alex Del Piero scored a double before dipping into morale-denting injuries.
Lazio are arguably one of the most surprising teams this term. They produced the best level of football in Serie A, together with AC Milan. Nobody would have thought the Biancocelesti would have soared so high, especially as they have not been paid in months.
The Romans could even be alone on top of the table, but they aren't as they threw away a good chance against Inter. The Nerazzurri came back from being 3-0 down to snatch a draw, which could have also metamorphosed in a shock 3-4 defeat.
What could have been Lazio's finest hour almost turned into a nightmare. It led Roberto Mancini to give reassurances to the squad.
"We need to go to the Delle Alpi relaxed. Even a defeat would not get us in trouble, because we would stay high enough in the table", Mancini told the usual pre-match press conference.
"This means we'll have to remain patient and take it easy. If we play our game without being too stressed out, I'm confident we can get a result in Turin".
Mancini also confirmed that he would seek victory, in the footsteps of Lazio's recent history against Juve.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
According to Juve's website, David Trezeguet should be left out again despite coming back in midweek against Basle. The mystery surrounding the Frenchman's state of fitness is growing. Two major defenders in Gianluca Pessotto and Igor Tudor will also be missing after spending the week on a light schedule.
The poor defeat endured by Lazio reserves versus Sturm Graz may not mean much, it is still a fact that key players had the chance to rest in midweek. Among the ones who will not travel to Turin, the likes of Fernando Couto (suspended) and Manfredini (out of favour) are adding up to Juan Sorin and Mihajlovic's combined absences. Castroman and Marchegiani are also left out.
LOOK OUT FOR...
The weather: it's freezing cold in Turin. This might especially harm Lazio, who have painful experiences of such conditions last season, notably in Verona against Hellas and Chievo. This could be a decisive detail.
Can Juve forget about last week's defeat at Brescia easily? Let's hope so for Marcello Lippi's men as their worst nightmare, Lazio, are coming to town.
They are not exactly the sort of Santa Claus gift you might expect: even if they lost against Sturm in Europe and they drew with Inter in strange fashion, Lazio are feared for their unpredicability and swift style of play.
In a frozen Delle Alpi, hardly thawed by Basle's visit in the Champions League Second Phase (crushed 4-0), Juventus hope to get back on the track to success.
Juventus always have a point to prove against Lazio, who "nicked" them a Scudetto two years ago. Key was the early April defeat in the Delle Alpi, which gave hope to Lazio before the title run-in got in motion.
It'll be a match between old friends as many players on the pitch have worn both shirts.
The last time Juve managed to sink Lazio at home was in December 97, in similar sub-zero conditions. Alex Del Piero scored a double before dipping into morale-denting injuries.
Lazio are arguably one of the most surprising teams this term. They produced the best level of football in Serie A, together with AC Milan. Nobody would have thought the Biancocelesti would have soared so high, especially as they have not been paid in months.
The Romans could even be alone on top of the table, but they aren't as they threw away a good chance against Inter. The Nerazzurri came back from being 3-0 down to snatch a draw, which could have also metamorphosed in a shock 3-4 defeat.
What could have been Lazio's finest hour almost turned into a nightmare. It led Roberto Mancini to give reassurances to the squad.
"We need to go to the Delle Alpi relaxed. Even a defeat would not get us in trouble, because we would stay high enough in the table", Mancini told the usual pre-match press conference.
"This means we'll have to remain patient and take it easy. If we play our game without being too stressed out, I'm confident we can get a result in Turin".
Mancini also confirmed that he would seek victory, in the footsteps of Lazio's recent history against Juve.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
According to Juve's website, David Trezeguet should be left out again despite coming back in midweek against Basle. The mystery surrounding the Frenchman's state of fitness is growing. Two major defenders in Gianluca Pessotto and Igor Tudor will also be missing after spending the week on a light schedule.
The poor defeat endured by Lazio reserves versus Sturm Graz may not mean much, it is still a fact that key players had the chance to rest in midweek. Among the ones who will not travel to Turin, the likes of Fernando Couto (suspended) and Manfredini (out of favour) are adding up to Juan Sorin and Mihajlovic's combined absences. Castroman and Marchegiani are also left out.
LOOK OUT FOR...
The weather: it's freezing cold in Turin. This might especially harm Lazio, who have painful experiences of such conditions last season, notably in Verona against Hellas and Chievo. This could be a decisive detail.
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