Serie A Preview: Reggina v Juventus
Reggina will be desperate to crawl out of the drop-zone by taking advantage of a Juventus side that will almost certainly be feeling the after-affects of their week of glory.
If ever there was a good time to play the record-Italian champions in a life-or-death situation it is now. Unless the Bianconeri are inhuman they are bound to be both exhausted and hungover following their title-clinching victory Perugia last week and their epic Champions League semifinal success at the expense of Real Madrid less than 72 hours ago. Further working in the host's favour is the fact that Marcelo Lippi will rest many of his top performers in light of their wonderful achievements of the last seven days.
Reggina currently occupy the final relegation place, though they are level on points with Atalanta but trail them due to an inferior goal-difference. Last week they were involved in a thoroughly engrossing relegation tussle with Piacenza, which ultimately ended 2-2 after an incredible sequence of four goals between the 70th and 80th minute. Though they were desperate for all three points going into the game, it could have been lights out for Reggina had Mozart not come through with an invaluable equaliser on the 79 minute mark.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Reggina's great Japanese hope Shunsuke Nakamura should be fit to start in the midfield alongside Francesco Cozza and they will be looking to provide the front-duo of David Di Michele and Emiliano Bonazzoli with plenty of service. The only man unavailable to coach Luigi De Canio is Jose Mamede, who is out injured.
On the Juventus side of things, Marcelo Lippi is expected to give a much deserved breather to Buffon, Trezeguet, Davids, Nedved and Del Piero. Ciro Ferrara, in the meanwhile, is suspended while Birindelli won't suit up after having picked up a knock against Real.
PROBABLES
Reggina: Belardi; Jiranek, Vargas, Franceschini; Diana, Cozza, Paredes, Nakamura, Falsini; Di Michele, Bonazzoli
Juventus: Chimenti; Zenoni, Iuliano, Montero, Pessotto; Camoranesi, Conte, Tudor, Zambrotta; Di Vaio, Zalayeta
SA Italia