Serie A Preview: Juventus-Lecce
4/16/2005 3:26:00 PM
Juventus have no other option but winning when they meet Lecce at the Stadio Delle Alpi in week 31 after their Champions League exit.
BACKGROUND
Juventus are now focused on the Scudetto to save their season after the surprise exit from the Champions League against Liverpool . The Bianconeri are determined to put the Wednesday evening nightmare behind them and show their character in this game. Milan have other commitments so all frustrations should be put into this game in order to take advantage from any potential fall from Milan against Siena especially before the difficult test in week 32 when Juventus travel to Milan to play against Inter.
The game between the Bianconeri and the Giallorossi isnt any regular game by any stretch of the imagination seeing as the last time they met at the Delle Alpi, Lecce played an unforgettable game and won 4-3. As well, Juve is well aware of Lecce coach Zdenek Zeman who’s comments started the doping case against Juventus, causing a big blow to the club reputation. Juventus had a comfortable 0-1 win at week 12 but this time the Lecce coach is coming with one target to cost the Bianconeri 3 valuable points that could cause them to go behind in the neck to neck race with Milan. Lecce have nothing to lose as they avoided relegation by 90% and also have lost hope of winning a place in European competition next season.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus will be missing Trezeguet who’s out for 20 days with an ankle problem. Zebina is out for a month with a muscular problem and Ferrara with a calf injury.
Lecce will be missing Babù who had an operation in his left knee and wont be able to play for the rest of the season. Ladesma who’s out for 20 days with a right knee injury. Bjelanovic who’s also out for 20 days with a twisted ankle and Abruzzese and Cozzolino are also out due to muscular problems.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alssesandro Del Piero (Juventus)
The Juventus captain has been improving and continually raising his game, each match Del Piero has brought his game to a new level especially in the last 5 games where he has scored 5 goals , Del Piero’s improvement cant be denied even by his critics. The Juventus number 10 shouldn’t be given much trouble against the worst defence in Serie A. Del Piero has been Juventus top scorer so far with 12 goals and he’s definitely one to watch for.
Vucinic (Lecce)
The 22 years old starlet isn’t a player to be taken lightly he’s fast he’s sharp and he wont be easy to handle even with the likes of Thuram and Cannavaro. He’s Lecce’s number 1 hitman after the departure of the impressive Bojinov the 22 year old has scored 12 goals from 12 games which means that Juventus’ defense has to pay him a special attention or he may cause them a lot of damage. He is one to watch for in the Lecce side.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s
Juventus (4-4-2)
Buffon ,Pessotto ,Thuram ,Cannavaro ,Zambrotta ,Camoranesi ,Blasi ,Emerson ,Nedved ,Ibrahimovic ,Del Piero
Lecce (4-3-3)
Sicignano ,Angelo ,Paci ,Stovini ,Rullo ,Cassetti ,Dalla Bona ,Giacomazzi ,Valdes ,Vucinic ,Pinardi
PREDICTION
Juventus gathered 9 points from their last 4 home games and scored 6 goals while Lecce hasn’t won a single point in their last 4 away games but have scored 5 goals. Lecce have the 2nd best offence in Serie A with an impressive 51 goals scored so far while Juventus stand in the 3rd place tied with Milan with 50 goals. Lecce also have the worst defence in Serie A so far with 53 goals conceded while Juventus have the 2nd best defence after Milan with 19 goals conceded so far. Lecce’s defense could cost this team a lot especially against a side that shows no mercy with defensive mistakes. With Zlatan and Del Piero Juventus should be able to get the 3 points.
Juventus 3 - Lecce 1