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cagliari - Juventus
Stadio Sant'Elia
Juventus make the long trip down to Sardinia as they face a Saturday clash against Cagliari. Having seemingly wrapped up the Scudetto weeks ago, the Bianconeri are going through an end of season stutter which has seen them draw their last three games and be eliminated from the Champions League. Now only seven points separate them from second-placed Milan, and suddenly there is potentially a title race once more.
The Rossoblu, having previously embarked on a fine run of form to drag themselves out of the relegation mire, now have Messina breathing down their necks after failing to win in four. The gap between the two island outfits is now just two points and Cagliari’s reliance on David Suazo is proving a bit of a hindrance. Nonetheless, they managed to achieve a creditable 1-1 draw with the Old Lady in last season’s fixture at the Stadio Sant’Elia and a similar result this time out would be welcomed with open arms.
Juve Coach Fabio Capello has a few worries when it comes to team selection, as he is still expected to be without top scorer David Trezeguet. Alex Del Piero – the side’s goal hero in the 1-1 draw with Fiorentina last weekend – will deputise. Trezeguet’s fellow French international Lilian Thuram will also be absent through suspension, but the tactician is expected to have Gigi Buffon back in contention between the sticks after he missed the Viola clash with an ankle injury.
Following David Di Michele’s last gasp goal to give Palermo a share of the spoils in the Derby delle Isole in Week 33, Cagliari Coach Nedo Sonetti has only one major selection headache to contend with. 'Keeper Antonio Chimenti, a January signing from Juve, sustained a thigh injury against the Rosanero and is unlikely to be back in time so Andrea Campagnolo will take the gloves, while Antonio Langella is also likely to be recalled after a ban. Campagnolo was in goal the last time these sides met, with Juventus netting a crushing 4-0 win in Week 15.
Cagliari: Campagnolo; Ferri, Bega, Canini, Pisano; Esposito, Conti, Abeijon; Gobbi, Suazo, Langella
Juventus: Buffon; Zebina, Cannavaro, Kovac, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Del Piero, Ibrahimovic