Serie A Preview: Bologna-Juventus
12/11/2004 12:58:00 PM
The Bianconeri travel to Bologna’s Dall’Ara stadium having maintained their unbeaten run in Europe this week. With Bologna scrapping for points, the Turin giants will need to keep their concentration if they are to keep up the pace at the top.
BACKGROUND
Juventus have not had it all their own way in recent weeks. After a poor first half against Lazio, Capello’s men found themselves behind with Ibrahimovic finally rescuing them with a late winner. In Europe the Bianconeri were not quite at their best, drawing 1-1 with Maccabi Tel Aviv but doing enough to remain unbeaten. Capello’s men continue to brush past all before them in Serie A as the likes of AC Milan lag behind. Despite their good results, Juventus will need to keep focussed against a determined Bologna, as they have recently shown signs of tiring a little.
Capello has restored a winning mentality to Juventus, with every player ready to scrap and fight for the good of the team. Whilst no single match decides a championship, it is the games against sides such as Bologna that must be won. Whilst the Bianconeri are not the most entertaining team around, their ability to get the necessary results is what makes them so special this season.
Bologna are struggling again in Serie A after recovering last year from a similar start. Carlo Mazzone needs his current crop of players to repeat last year’s turn around and begin picking up results as quickly as possible. Rossoblu fans have had little to cheer about, looking nervously down at the three teams below them in the table.
With the strength of the squad available to Mazzone, the Rossoblu are most definitely underachieving in the league. Despite good performances, Bologna have failed to score enough goal to win matches, netting only 13 times so far. Mazzone will be desperate for is team to find the right result on Sunday as the Rossoblu host an exceptional Juventus side.
FORM GUIDE:
Bologna (all competitions – oldest result first): DDLLDL
Mazzone needs his big players to perform if Bologna are to avoid another defeat against Juve. Nothing less than maximum effort from every player will do on Sunday.
Juventus (all competitions – oldest result first): WLWDWD
Despite loosing to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia, and drawing with Maccabi in the Champions League, Juventus continue to churn out wins in Serie A. Capello’s boys look unstoppable.
TEAM NEWS:
Bologna
Carlo Nervo and Igli Tare miss the match through injury, whilst Nastase and Petruzzi are suspended.
Juventus
After resting some key players in midweek, Capello can call upon almost all of his squad for the trip to Bologna. Only Oliivera joins Trezeguet on the treatment table.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bologna
Frenchman Meghni has been dubbed the “next Zidane” by critics after impressing in Serie A. The playmaker will need to be at his skilful best if his side are to penetrate Juventus’ defence.
Juventus
Juve’s scoring Swede came to the rescue last weekend after the lacklustre Bianconeri fell behind to Lazio. Ibrahimovic is acclimatizing to his surroundings in Italy and is quickly becoming one of the league’s most impressive strikers. The former Ajax man’s skill and raw strength are a problem for any defence.
PROBABLE STARTING Xis:
Bologna:
Pagliuca , Daino, Juarez, Gamberini, Sussi, Zagorakis, Colucci, Amoroso, Bellucci, Meghni, Cipriani.
Juventus:
Buffon, Zebian, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi, Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero,
PREDICTION:
Juventus should win the game as misfiring Bologna should pose little threat to their watertight defence.
Bologna 1-3 Juventus
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