Serie A Preview: Genoa - Juventus
What: Serie A Championship, Week 27
Who: Genoa - Juventus
Where: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
When: Sunday, March 9th 2008, 20:30CET
Juventus Desperate For A Win
Juventus are a club used to writing themselves in the football history books, but last week however they made history for all the wrong reasons. They lost to Fiorentina at home for the first time in 20 years and secondly they have gone three games without a win, something which has never happened in the club’s 111 year history. Claudio Ranieri’s side are thus desperate for a win this Sunday when they travel to Marassi to take on Genoa.
The 3-2 defeat to the Viola saw the side from Florence close the gap to within a point and thus Juve’s Champions League place is looking increasingly under threat. And to make matters worse, Milan were knocked out of the Champions League midweek and so the Rossoneri will be putting all their efforts into taking the remaining place up for grabs in Europe’s elite competition. The Bianconeri are only too aware of this and therefore they will be hoping to come away with some much needed points against the Grifoni.
One to the positive side, the Bianconeri will be hoping Giorgio Chiellini can hold their defence together as he returns from a one match ban. One thing Juve really need to sort out is their back line after it failed to cope miserably against a weakened Viola side last time out. Genoa have not had a great season by any means and so Ranieri’s men should be confident of going to get the result there are looking for.
Juventus have already beaten their opponents this term when the two sides met in Turin. Alessandro Del Piero’s cool finish won the points on that day and he will be hoping to do the same on Sunday night. It’s about time Juve began picking up some points as there have already been protests from the passionate Tifosi for their miserable last few weeks.
Genoa Looking For Europe
The Rossoblu are hovering in and around the UEFA Cup places and if they qualified for Europe this term it would be a magnificent achievement given that this time last year the port side club were playing down in Serie B. There is nothing more that the Grifoni fans would want, and to finish above city rivals Sampdoria,who themselves are only a point ahead of Genoa, would put the icing on a special season.
The Grifoni however have blown hot and cold and this could cast shadows over their shout for Europe. After convincing wins over Napoli and Udinese, the Grifoni failed to get a point against relegation strugglers Cagliari. And this random dance in and out of form may just see them pay at the end of the season. Any team who wants to qualify for Europe knows that consistency is a pre-requisite and thus Genoa need to start pulling together a string of positive results.
The Rossoblu will be hoping Marco Borriello is wearing his shooting boots against the Bianconeri. The former Milan striker is currently Serie A’s top scorer and he has been in stunning form of late. If he plays the way he has been then the Bianconeri will be in for a hard night on Sunday. Genoa will be aware of Ranieri’s side's defensive errors and so Borriello will fancy his chances. Gianluigi Buffon is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world but if he receives no protection from his back line then it might just be Genoa’s night.
Form Guide
Juventus
Juventus – Fiorentina 2-3
Juventus - Torino 0-0
Reggina - Juventus 2-1
Juventus - Roma 1-0
Udinese - Juventus 1-2
Genoa
Cagliari - Genoa 2-1
Genoa - Napoli 2-0
Udinese - Genoa 3-5
Genoa - Sampdoria 0-1
Livorno - Genoa 1-1
Teams News
Genoa: Ivan Juric is suspended for the Grifoni and thus this paves the way for Abdoulay Konko. Marco Di Vaio drops to the bench. Apart from that Gianpiero Gasperini has no new injury worries.
Juventus: Pavel Nedved is still suspended for the Bianconeri but Giorgio Chiellini returns to action for the Old Lady. Zdnek Grygera is fighting Jonathan Zebina for a place in the back line as Nicola Legrotaglie and Molinaro are likely to keep their places. Rafaele Palladino is likely to start in Nedved’s place and Del Piero and Trezeguet will be the front two.
Players To Watch
Genoa: Marco Borriello: The hit man has been firing on all cylinders this term and his 16 goals have seen him top the Capocanonieri list. He will be hoping to pull further away from David Trezeguet who is just behind him with 15. Juve watch out.
Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon: Keep an eye on the great shot stopper. Juve’s back line has been woeful recently and thus the responsibility falls to Buffon to stop the club being embarrassed once again. Let’s see how he copes with Borriello’s strikes.
Prediction: It will be a tight game in the Luigi Ferraris on Sunday night. Juventus come to town so it’s going to be a special occasion for the local fans who will do all they can to fire up the home side. However the Bianconeri should have enough to see them through.
Genoa 0-1 Juventus
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