Its been years since they won at the old lady.....Toni is looking to tie Batigoals record......Can super DP save the day??
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[Serie A] Juventus - Fiorentina (1 Viewer)
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Serie A Preview: Juventus-Fiorentina
As the fallout from Juve’s toothless display against Arsenal continues, the Bianconeri must turn their attentions to Prandelli’s visiting Fiorentina side.
BACKGROUND
Are Juventus simply not good enough? How could they fail to trouble Arsenal over both legs? Does this make them a bad team? Well…no. As poor as the Bianconeri were during their Champions League exit, it is easy to forget how impressive Capello’s men have been for the majority of the season. Bad teams do not dominate Serie A in the way that Juve have done so admirably this term. It is true however that Juventus seem to have run out of ideas of late, and are clearly looking drained. Perhaps the most valid criticism of Capello’s team is that they lack genuine pace. Something that Arsenal have in abundance of. But a bad side? Far from it.
Capello will no doubt have his own thoughts on why Juve tend to run out of steam in the latter stages of the Champions League, but he will be focussed on securing yet another Scudetto first. Capello’s players will have been hurt by recent media and fan criticism that they have the hunger or desire to perform, and the former Milan tactician should have no trouble motivating his squad for this crunch clash. Juventus director Luciano Moggi revealed how everyone at the club has been affected by harsh criticism from their own supporters:
“We are being treated in a way which we do not deserve when you look at what we have achieved up to now.”
Given the animosity that has grown between these sides over the years, this clash is likely to be a fiery encounter. Whilst the Viola will be desperate to further compound Juventus’ misery, they will be anxious to remain ahead of Roma in the race for the final Champions League spot. Sitting just one point ahead of their Roman rivals, the Viola need a positive result against a demoralised Bianconeri side if they are to keep their noses in front of Luciano Spalletti’s side.
FORM GUIDE
Juventus:
Recent form suggests that the Bianconeri will not have it all their own way against Prandelli’s side. Stuttering to a draw with bottom club Treviso showed that Juve are far from the side that has swept most of Serie A aside for much of the season. With Their 2-0 aggregate loss against Arsenal, Juve need to get back to winning ways if they are to restore some pride.
Fiorentina:
Last weeks clash with Roma ended all square and Fiorentina need to continue an impressive season if they are to keep ahead of their rivals. Prandelli has turned Fiorentina into a consistent outfit and they will need to be at their best if they are to pick up three points in Turin.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus:
Vieira returns after missing the Arsenal game through suspension. Cannavaro misses out but will be replaced by Kovac in defence. Del Piero is deemed fit enough for he bench as Capello keeps faith with the striking duo of Trezeguet and Ibrahimovic that disappointed against Arsenal.
Fiorentina:
Prandelli take a full strength side to Turin to face Capello’s men. Top scorer Toni will be partnered by the impressive Jimenez in attack. Pasqual and Foire are both deemed fit enough to start this important tie.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Juventus:
Chiellini was playing for the opposition last term and made a massive impact with the Viola. The fullback was on of the main reasons that Fiorentina managed to survive relegation but he will not be so kind this time. Chiellini has all the attributes to become one of the best fullback in the world.
Fiorentina:
Toni recently equalled Fiorentina legends Kurt Hamrin and Gabriel Batistuta by bagging 26 goals in one season and will be confident of adding to his tally before the end of the season. Set to star in this summers World Cup, Toni has the power and deadly finishing to terrorise any side. Juve will have their work cut out if they are to keep him quite for 90 minutes.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Juventus:
Buffon; Chiellini, Thuram, Kovac, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Vieira, Emerson, Nedved; Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic.
Fiorentina:
Lobont; Gamberini, Ufjalusi, Dainelli, Pasqual; Fiore, Brocchi, Donadel, Jorgensen; Jimenez; Toni.
PREDICTION
This should be a closely fought encounter with Juventus not at their best a draw seems likely.
Juventus 2-2 Fiorentina
As the fallout from Juve’s toothless display against Arsenal continues, the Bianconeri must turn their attentions to Prandelli’s visiting Fiorentina side.
BACKGROUND
Are Juventus simply not good enough? How could they fail to trouble Arsenal over both legs? Does this make them a bad team? Well…no. As poor as the Bianconeri were during their Champions League exit, it is easy to forget how impressive Capello’s men have been for the majority of the season. Bad teams do not dominate Serie A in the way that Juve have done so admirably this term. It is true however that Juventus seem to have run out of ideas of late, and are clearly looking drained. Perhaps the most valid criticism of Capello’s team is that they lack genuine pace. Something that Arsenal have in abundance of. But a bad side? Far from it.
Capello will no doubt have his own thoughts on why Juve tend to run out of steam in the latter stages of the Champions League, but he will be focussed on securing yet another Scudetto first. Capello’s players will have been hurt by recent media and fan criticism that they have the hunger or desire to perform, and the former Milan tactician should have no trouble motivating his squad for this crunch clash. Juventus director Luciano Moggi revealed how everyone at the club has been affected by harsh criticism from their own supporters:
“We are being treated in a way which we do not deserve when you look at what we have achieved up to now.”
Given the animosity that has grown between these sides over the years, this clash is likely to be a fiery encounter. Whilst the Viola will be desperate to further compound Juventus’ misery, they will be anxious to remain ahead of Roma in the race for the final Champions League spot. Sitting just one point ahead of their Roman rivals, the Viola need a positive result against a demoralised Bianconeri side if they are to keep their noses in front of Luciano Spalletti’s side.
FORM GUIDE
Juventus:
Recent form suggests that the Bianconeri will not have it all their own way against Prandelli’s side. Stuttering to a draw with bottom club Treviso showed that Juve are far from the side that has swept most of Serie A aside for much of the season. With Their 2-0 aggregate loss against Arsenal, Juve need to get back to winning ways if they are to restore some pride.
Fiorentina:
Last weeks clash with Roma ended all square and Fiorentina need to continue an impressive season if they are to keep ahead of their rivals. Prandelli has turned Fiorentina into a consistent outfit and they will need to be at their best if they are to pick up three points in Turin.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus:
Vieira returns after missing the Arsenal game through suspension. Cannavaro misses out but will be replaced by Kovac in defence. Del Piero is deemed fit enough for he bench as Capello keeps faith with the striking duo of Trezeguet and Ibrahimovic that disappointed against Arsenal.
Fiorentina:
Prandelli take a full strength side to Turin to face Capello’s men. Top scorer Toni will be partnered by the impressive Jimenez in attack. Pasqual and Foire are both deemed fit enough to start this important tie.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Juventus:
Chiellini was playing for the opposition last term and made a massive impact with the Viola. The fullback was on of the main reasons that Fiorentina managed to survive relegation but he will not be so kind this time. Chiellini has all the attributes to become one of the best fullback in the world.
Fiorentina:
Toni recently equalled Fiorentina legends Kurt Hamrin and Gabriel Batistuta by bagging 26 goals in one season and will be confident of adding to his tally before the end of the season. Set to star in this summers World Cup, Toni has the power and deadly finishing to terrorise any side. Juve will have their work cut out if they are to keep him quite for 90 minutes.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Juventus:
Buffon; Chiellini, Thuram, Kovac, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Vieira, Emerson, Nedved; Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic.
Fiorentina:
Lobont; Gamberini, Ufjalusi, Dainelli, Pasqual; Fiore, Brocchi, Donadel, Jorgensen; Jimenez; Toni.
PREDICTION
This should be a closely fought encounter with Juventus not at their best a draw seems likely.
Juventus 2-2 Fiorentina
