Roma - Juventus
Stadio Olimpico
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It is always a heated encounter when Roma play Juventus and this match is set to be no exception as both sides have already declared verbal warfare on the other. Francesco Totti announced his dislike of former teammate Emerson and ex-Roma Coach Fabio Capello claiming that they "are not real men" for leaving the Giallorossi and then Lilian Thuram countered with a subtle dig at the opposition’s tendency to lose their head. This war of words has continued to escalate through repeated counter-attacks meaning that both teams will be going all out when they finally meet at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening.
With former Roma heroes like Emerson and Capello – who both won Lo Scudetto in the capital - in their ranks, the Bianconeri were always going to relish the chance to put one over on Roma, but this time the feeling will be more than mutual. The Giallorossi will surely see Juve as at least partly responsible for the Antonio Cassano fiasco due to their constant rumour stirring during the summer. After the problems that situation has caused they must see nothing as being more desirable than getting the win which could see La Vecchia Signora knocked off the top of the table for the first time this season.
They may once again have to do this without outcast Cassano, but their only other absentee is Christian Chivu as he is still suspended after being sent-off against Ascoli. Juve are shy of long-term injury victims Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Birindelli, Jonathan Zebina and Ruben Olivera. To add to their problems, the in-form Adrian Mutu will also have to watch this match from the treatment room.
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Roma (probable): Doni; Panucci, Kuffour, Mexes, Cufrè; Perrotta, De Rossi; Mancini, Totti, Taddei; Montella
Juventus (probable): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Thuram, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic