Lazio may be struggling this season, but Fabio Capello warns they can still pose a threat to the leaders this afternoon.
“We must approach this game with the utmost concentration and determination,” said the Juventus Coach. “These are precisely the kind of fixtures that often have a sting in the tail.”
The Bianconeri must win to maintain the gap from Milan, whose 2-1 victory at Parma on Saturday saw them close it up to just one point.
“Lazio are a side that deserve the utmost respect and have many players who can turn a game at any given moment,” he added.
It could be boss Mimmo Caso’s last match in charge of the Capital club following their embarrassing UEFA Cup exit without winning a single encounter.
This will be a special fixture for Paolo Di Canio, who clashed with Capello during their time together at Milan.
“Di Canio has played for Juventus, Milan, Premiership clubs and now Lazio,” noted the tactician. “I think he has achieved what he wanted to in his career.”
The Turin giants are forced to reshuffle their squad after Pavel Nedved dropped out with a virus, but Alessandro Del Piero returns from a muscular problem.
“Nedved has had flu for the last three days and told me he just could not make it this weekend. As for his replacement, Olivier Kapo can play both out wide and as a support striker, while Ruben Olivera is more of a midfielder who is useful in the centre or on the wing.”