[Serie A] Chievo - Juventus (40 Viewers)
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Serie A Preview: Chievo-Juventus
3/12/2005 4:55:00 PM
Ecstatic Juventus travel to Chievo’s Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium in great spirits after their Champions league heroics against Real Madrid. If Fabio Capello’s men can repeat the kind of performance that saw them nullify the Galacticos then they will have a good chance of taking all three points and keeping pace with Milan at the top of Serie A.
BACKGROUND
Chievo have been in poor form recently and it is not since the 6th of February that the minnows last tasted victory in Serie A. Sitting in 17th on 28 points, the little team from Verona knows that results must improve dramatically if the ‘Chievo miracle’ is to remain alive. This season represents the first campaign that the club has struggled to hold its own in Italy’s top flight, more importantly, it is the club’s first season without Del Neri. The current Roma boss was credited with the ‘flying donkeys’ amazing rise in Italian football and his loss has been hard for the club. Chievo still have some exciting players in their squad and despite the summer loss of players such as Perrotta, the likes of Luciano can still cause any team problems. An unexpected win over their visitors on Sunday would help Chievo’s survival chances no end, whilst denting Juve’s title dreams.
Juventus come into his match in great spirits after they triumphed in the battle of the giants during midweek. Capello’s side were excellent and did not allow Real Madrid to settle into their normal rhythm. The win has galvanised the squad after a run of poor performances that saw the Bianconeri throw away an eight point lead at the top of Serie A. Much of Juve’s resurgence in form seems to be due to Capello’s tactical switch to compensate for the loss of the talismanic Pavel Nedved. The Juve tactician has recently deployed a three-man attack of Ibrahimovic, Del Piero and Zalayeta a move that has paid off at a crucial time in the season
With Juventus seemingly back to winning ways the decisive factor in this match up will be the overall freshness of the Juve squad. The extra time win over Real was no easy feat and there will undoubtedly be some tired legs in the Juventus camp. The outcome of this game should depend on how well Capello’s side recover from Wednesday’s epic encounter.
FORM GUIDE
Chievo (all competitions – oldest result first): LWLLLL
Chievo’s form is that of relegation contenders at the moment and nothing but a dramatic upturn in form will suffice if they are to remain in the top flight.
Juventus (all competitions – oldest result first): WDLWWW
Capello’s men have turned a corner and can finally start to play the football that they played with such assertion and confidence earlier on in the season. Results breed confidence and the Bianconeri will be on a high after conquering Real.
TEAM NEWS
Chievo
Tiribocchi is the only main doubt for Beretta as his side line up against the Bianconeri. The impressive Baronio and Semioli both start in what is almost a full strength side.
Juventus
With the exception of Olivier Kapo and Pavel Nedved, Capello can count on all of his stars for this crucial match. Nedved has still not recovered sufficiently from a head injury to be in contention and will miss out. Nedved’s absence means that Capello is likely to use three strikers once more.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chievo
Baronio was touted by many as the next big thing in Italian football after his impressive performances in the Italy under 21 team. The Italian midfielder never fulfilled his promise and it is only now that his true potential is shining through. In a season that has seen Chievo struggle against relegation, Baronio has been immense and is finally displaying his true qualities in Serie A. Recent performances have even led to rumours of a switch to Milan in the summer.
Juventus
Del Piero was far from his best against Real and will want to put his performance behind him. The Italian international is loved by some and hated equally amongst fans. What is clear is his undoubted and vast talent. If Del Piero players to his potential, there are few defenders that can cope with his guile and trickery.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs:
Chievo
Marchegiani; Moro, Mandelli, D’Anna, Lanna; Luciano, Sammarco, Zanchetta, Baronio; Semioli, Pellissier
Juventus
Buffon, Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi, Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero
PREDICTION
With Juve’s spirits at a high after beating Real Chievo will struggle. Juventus should win here comfortably.
Chievo 1-3 Juventus
3/12/2005 4:55:00 PM
Ecstatic Juventus travel to Chievo’s Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium in great spirits after their Champions league heroics against Real Madrid. If Fabio Capello’s men can repeat the kind of performance that saw them nullify the Galacticos then they will have a good chance of taking all three points and keeping pace with Milan at the top of Serie A.
BACKGROUND
Chievo have been in poor form recently and it is not since the 6th of February that the minnows last tasted victory in Serie A. Sitting in 17th on 28 points, the little team from Verona knows that results must improve dramatically if the ‘Chievo miracle’ is to remain alive. This season represents the first campaign that the club has struggled to hold its own in Italy’s top flight, more importantly, it is the club’s first season without Del Neri. The current Roma boss was credited with the ‘flying donkeys’ amazing rise in Italian football and his loss has been hard for the club. Chievo still have some exciting players in their squad and despite the summer loss of players such as Perrotta, the likes of Luciano can still cause any team problems. An unexpected win over their visitors on Sunday would help Chievo’s survival chances no end, whilst denting Juve’s title dreams.
Juventus come into his match in great spirits after they triumphed in the battle of the giants during midweek. Capello’s side were excellent and did not allow Real Madrid to settle into their normal rhythm. The win has galvanised the squad after a run of poor performances that saw the Bianconeri throw away an eight point lead at the top of Serie A. Much of Juve’s resurgence in form seems to be due to Capello’s tactical switch to compensate for the loss of the talismanic Pavel Nedved. The Juve tactician has recently deployed a three-man attack of Ibrahimovic, Del Piero and Zalayeta a move that has paid off at a crucial time in the season
With Juventus seemingly back to winning ways the decisive factor in this match up will be the overall freshness of the Juve squad. The extra time win over Real was no easy feat and there will undoubtedly be some tired legs in the Juventus camp. The outcome of this game should depend on how well Capello’s side recover from Wednesday’s epic encounter.
FORM GUIDE
Chievo (all competitions – oldest result first): LWLLLL
Chievo’s form is that of relegation contenders at the moment and nothing but a dramatic upturn in form will suffice if they are to remain in the top flight.
Juventus (all competitions – oldest result first): WDLWWW
Capello’s men have turned a corner and can finally start to play the football that they played with such assertion and confidence earlier on in the season. Results breed confidence and the Bianconeri will be on a high after conquering Real.
TEAM NEWS
Chievo
Tiribocchi is the only main doubt for Beretta as his side line up against the Bianconeri. The impressive Baronio and Semioli both start in what is almost a full strength side.
Juventus
With the exception of Olivier Kapo and Pavel Nedved, Capello can count on all of his stars for this crucial match. Nedved has still not recovered sufficiently from a head injury to be in contention and will miss out. Nedved’s absence means that Capello is likely to use three strikers once more.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chievo
Baronio was touted by many as the next big thing in Italian football after his impressive performances in the Italy under 21 team. The Italian midfielder never fulfilled his promise and it is only now that his true potential is shining through. In a season that has seen Chievo struggle against relegation, Baronio has been immense and is finally displaying his true qualities in Serie A. Recent performances have even led to rumours of a switch to Milan in the summer.
Juventus
Del Piero was far from his best against Real and will want to put his performance behind him. The Italian international is loved by some and hated equally amongst fans. What is clear is his undoubted and vast talent. If Del Piero players to his potential, there are few defenders that can cope with his guile and trickery.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs:
Chievo
Marchegiani; Moro, Mandelli, D’Anna, Lanna; Luciano, Sammarco, Zanchetta, Baronio; Semioli, Pellissier
Juventus
Buffon, Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi, Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero
PREDICTION
With Juve’s spirits at a high after beating Real Chievo will struggle. Juventus should win here comfortably.
Chievo 1-3 Juventus
