[Serie A] Juventus - Livorno (1 Viewer)
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Serie A Preview: Juventus-Livorno
1/8/2005 1:08:00 PM
Juventus entertain Livorno on Sunday after dropping crucial points against Parma on Thursday. Plucky Livorno may be facing Juventus at the best time as Capello’s men look far less effective than they have been in recent months. The Bianconeri cannot afford further setback as they head into the second part of the season.
BACKGROUND
Capello’s Bianconeri side have looked jaded in recent weeks and now sit just two points clear at the top of Serie A. With a sparkling Milan side in hot pursuit Juventus are now under pressure to start performing if they are to remain the top placed side in Italy. Juventus have still only lost one game so far this season, but are in danger of jeopardising their impressive early season for with recent performances. Whilst a draw with Milan was not a bad result, Capello’s men should have claimed maximum points against relegation threatened Parma.
After the winter break Capello can no longer use tiredness as an excuse for another under par performance. Juventus will welcome back Thuram in the heart of defence after a costly Montero blunder cost Juve a vital victory at the Tardini. With Cannavaro and Thuram reunited Juventus should regain their solidity at the back.
Livorno have performed much better than expected after promotion to Italy’s top flight last season. The Serie A minnows find themselves in the respectable position of 13th in the table, above teams of the calibre of Lazio, Parma and Bologna. Many feared that the club would go straight back down after investing little in players during the summer. Livorno have surprised everyone by holding their own in one of Europe’s most difficult leagues largely thanks to the goals of Cristiano Lucarelli. With his 29 goal haul last season, the former Lecce and Torino man almost single-handedly brought Livorno into Serie A. With 9 goals so far this season, the hugely experienced striker has carried on where he left off and paved the way for a possible Azzurri call up.
FORM GUIDE:
Juventus (all competitions – oldest result first): DWDWDD
Capello’s men seem to have taken their foot off the pedal in recent games and will need to find the winning consistency that took them to the top of Serie A.
Livorno (all competitions – oldest result first): DLLWDL
Colomba could not ask for more from his side. Whilst their safety is still by no means guaranteed, their form till now has given them an excellent chance of avoiding a quick return to Serie B.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus:
Capello looks set to name his usual starters in what his settled side. With only Trezeguet unavailable for the match, the former Roma boss has no selection worries ahead of Livorno’s visit. Trezeguet is expected to return at the end of the month to further boost Juventus’ title chances. Thuram comes into the team to replace Montero who does not even make the bench following his error in mid-week.
Livorno:
Livorno manager Colomba can call upon most of his first team regulars to face the Bianconeri. However, star player Cristiano Lucarelli will be missing from the line-up through suspension and will be a massive loss. The physical striker has been impressive this season and will be hard to replace. Former Arsenal trialist Tomas Danilevicius will step in to fill the void.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Juventus:
With so many champions at his disposal, Capello is the envy of most managers in Serie A. Against Livorno the key man will once again be Fabio Cannavaro, who has been in sensational form since joining the Turin side. Reunited with his Parma teammates Buffon and Thuram, the former Inter ace has put last season’s indifferent form behind him.
Livorno:
With Lucarelli out of the game fellow striker Protti will shoulder the burden of leading the line against Juventus. Protti was excellent in last season’s Serie B campaign and scored an impressive 24 goals to help his side win promotion. If Protti performs to his potential then Juventus will need to be at their best to contain him.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Juventus (4-4-2):
Buffon - Zebina, Thuram, F.Cannavaro, Zambrotta - Camoranesi, Blasi, Emerson, Nedved – Ibrahimovic, Del Piero.
Livorno (4-4-2):
Amelia; Melara, Vargas, Galante, A. Lucarelli; Pfertzel, Passoni; Doga, Giallombardo, Danilevicius; Protti
PREDICTION
Juventus should shrug off their mini slump and ease past Livorno.
Juventus 2-0 Livorno
1/8/2005 1:08:00 PM
Juventus entertain Livorno on Sunday after dropping crucial points against Parma on Thursday. Plucky Livorno may be facing Juventus at the best time as Capello’s men look far less effective than they have been in recent months. The Bianconeri cannot afford further setback as they head into the second part of the season.
BACKGROUND
Capello’s Bianconeri side have looked jaded in recent weeks and now sit just two points clear at the top of Serie A. With a sparkling Milan side in hot pursuit Juventus are now under pressure to start performing if they are to remain the top placed side in Italy. Juventus have still only lost one game so far this season, but are in danger of jeopardising their impressive early season for with recent performances. Whilst a draw with Milan was not a bad result, Capello’s men should have claimed maximum points against relegation threatened Parma.
After the winter break Capello can no longer use tiredness as an excuse for another under par performance. Juventus will welcome back Thuram in the heart of defence after a costly Montero blunder cost Juve a vital victory at the Tardini. With Cannavaro and Thuram reunited Juventus should regain their solidity at the back.
Livorno have performed much better than expected after promotion to Italy’s top flight last season. The Serie A minnows find themselves in the respectable position of 13th in the table, above teams of the calibre of Lazio, Parma and Bologna. Many feared that the club would go straight back down after investing little in players during the summer. Livorno have surprised everyone by holding their own in one of Europe’s most difficult leagues largely thanks to the goals of Cristiano Lucarelli. With his 29 goal haul last season, the former Lecce and Torino man almost single-handedly brought Livorno into Serie A. With 9 goals so far this season, the hugely experienced striker has carried on where he left off and paved the way for a possible Azzurri call up.
FORM GUIDE:
Juventus (all competitions – oldest result first): DWDWDD
Capello’s men seem to have taken their foot off the pedal in recent games and will need to find the winning consistency that took them to the top of Serie A.
Livorno (all competitions – oldest result first): DLLWDL
Colomba could not ask for more from his side. Whilst their safety is still by no means guaranteed, their form till now has given them an excellent chance of avoiding a quick return to Serie B.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus:
Capello looks set to name his usual starters in what his settled side. With only Trezeguet unavailable for the match, the former Roma boss has no selection worries ahead of Livorno’s visit. Trezeguet is expected to return at the end of the month to further boost Juventus’ title chances. Thuram comes into the team to replace Montero who does not even make the bench following his error in mid-week.
Livorno:
Livorno manager Colomba can call upon most of his first team regulars to face the Bianconeri. However, star player Cristiano Lucarelli will be missing from the line-up through suspension and will be a massive loss. The physical striker has been impressive this season and will be hard to replace. Former Arsenal trialist Tomas Danilevicius will step in to fill the void.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Juventus:
With so many champions at his disposal, Capello is the envy of most managers in Serie A. Against Livorno the key man will once again be Fabio Cannavaro, who has been in sensational form since joining the Turin side. Reunited with his Parma teammates Buffon and Thuram, the former Inter ace has put last season’s indifferent form behind him.
Livorno:
With Lucarelli out of the game fellow striker Protti will shoulder the burden of leading the line against Juventus. Protti was excellent in last season’s Serie B campaign and scored an impressive 24 goals to help his side win promotion. If Protti performs to his potential then Juventus will need to be at their best to contain him.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Juventus (4-4-2):
Buffon - Zebina, Thuram, F.Cannavaro, Zambrotta - Camoranesi, Blasi, Emerson, Nedved – Ibrahimovic, Del Piero.
Livorno (4-4-2):
Amelia; Melara, Vargas, Galante, A. Lucarelli; Pfertzel, Passoni; Doga, Giallombardo, Danilevicius; Protti
PREDICTION
Juventus should shrug off their mini slump and ease past Livorno.
Juventus 2-0 Livorno
Juventus – Livorno
On paper the league leaders have the easiest match of the day, but Fabio Capello will no doubt ask his players to keep the concentration high against a side which has been doing quite well in recent weeks. The Amaranti will want to grab another surprise result like they did earlier in the season when they held Milan at home.
Prediction: 1
Palermo – Milan
A tricky encounter for the Rossoneri as they travel to Sicily to play against newly promoted Palermo. The Rosanero have done quite well as they currently occupy a safe position and may even aim for something better if they learn to be consistent. Still, Milan need the points as their quest to reach Juventus at the top of Serie A continues.
Prediction: X2
( I think the Palermo - Milan game will end up in draw )
On paper the league leaders have the easiest match of the day, but Fabio Capello will no doubt ask his players to keep the concentration high against a side which has been doing quite well in recent weeks. The Amaranti will want to grab another surprise result like they did earlier in the season when they held Milan at home.
Prediction: 1
Palermo – Milan
A tricky encounter for the Rossoneri as they travel to Sicily to play against newly promoted Palermo. The Rosanero have done quite well as they currently occupy a safe position and may even aim for something better if they learn to be consistent. Still, Milan need the points as their quest to reach Juventus at the top of Serie A continues.
Prediction: X2
( I think the Palermo - Milan game will end up in draw )
for this game there are no excuses, win is a must!
here the selected players:
1 BUFFON
2 FERRARA
3 TACCHINARDI
4 MONTERO
7 PESSOTTO
8 EMERSON
9 IBRAHIMOVIC
10 DEL PIERO
11 NEDVED
12 CHIMENTI
15 BIRINDELLI
16 CAMORANESI
19 ZAMBROTTA
20 BLASI
21 THURAM
23 KAPO
24 OLIVERA
25 ZALAYETA
27 ZEBINA
28 CANNAVARO
I wonder why Capello don't even let Tudor and Legro stay on the bench?
Positive is that Olivera is in the squad!
here the selected players:
1 BUFFON
2 FERRARA
3 TACCHINARDI
4 MONTERO
7 PESSOTTO
8 EMERSON
9 IBRAHIMOVIC
10 DEL PIERO
11 NEDVED
12 CHIMENTI
15 BIRINDELLI
16 CAMORANESI
19 ZAMBROTTA
20 BLASI
21 THURAM
23 KAPO
24 OLIVERA
25 ZALAYETA
27 ZEBINA
28 CANNAVARO
I wonder why Capello don't even let Tudor and Legro stay on the bench?
Positive is that Olivera is in the squad!
i think this match is soooo important , a win is a must whoever scores, but if the match would end 1-0 then i want alex to score, cuz he needs it and we need him in full confidence.
and if we get a high scoring game then it will be fantastic for us, we will get our confidence back
if milan think that palermo are easy they better think again.
- to anyone who says that any has the points in their pockets b4 the match, these ppl know nothin about serie A
and if we get a high scoring game then it will be fantastic for us, we will get our confidence back
if milan think that palermo are easy they better think again.
- to anyone who says that any has the points in their pockets b4 the match, these ppl know nothin about serie A
No, Capello is not an asshole. He is possibly the best coach in the Serie A. Legrottaglie would not have given anything more to the side except for more mistakes.
Well, this Livorno match is setting up nicely. The Lucarelli brothers are out of action, so that will be a big loss for them. We must take our chances this time around, because we need a big win to boost morale. Now is the time to step up the attack.
Well, this Livorno match is setting up nicely. The Lucarelli brothers are out of action, so that will be a big loss for them. We must take our chances this time around, because we need a big win to boost morale. Now is the time to step up the attack.
Zlatan bets on Trez partnership Saturday 8 January, 2005
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has fuelled speculation of a split with Alessandro Del Piero by claiming he can’t wait to partner David Trezeguet.
“Trezeguet is one of the best hitmen in the world and we really need him now more than ever,” said the Swedish international. “I don’t know if when he returns we’ll have the best strikeforce, but it’ll certainly be one of the tallest!”
Ibrahimovic has settled in quickly to Serie A, successfully playing alongside both Del Piero and Marcelo Zalayeta, but the captain’s poor form means he could find himself left on the sidelines when Trezeguet recovers from shoulder surgery later this month.
“Alessandro cannot always be at the top of his game,” continued the former Ajax star, “but the team still needs him. Unfortunately, there are three of us fighting for places and one will have to go on the bench.”
Ibrahimovic is celebrating his nomination as ‘Juventus Player of the Month’ following crucial goals, the most recent of which was in the 1-1 draw at Parma.
“I am settling in well and doing my best, but the team is helping me a great deal and I believe I’ll get better with every game. I don’t think we missed an opportunity at the Tardini, as Sebastien Frey performed some wonderful saves and we played well.”
Nonetheless, that result has allowed Milan to close the gap to just two points, so a victory against Livorno on Sunday afternoon is crucial.
“We are still the leaders and two points are not to be sniffed at,” insisted Ibrahimovic. “It looks like a two-horse race right now, but Inter are not out of the running for the Scudetto yet.”
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has fuelled speculation of a split with Alessandro Del Piero by claiming he can’t wait to partner David Trezeguet.
“Trezeguet is one of the best hitmen in the world and we really need him now more than ever,” said the Swedish international. “I don’t know if when he returns we’ll have the best strikeforce, but it’ll certainly be one of the tallest!”
Ibrahimovic has settled in quickly to Serie A, successfully playing alongside both Del Piero and Marcelo Zalayeta, but the captain’s poor form means he could find himself left on the sidelines when Trezeguet recovers from shoulder surgery later this month.
“Alessandro cannot always be at the top of his game,” continued the former Ajax star, “but the team still needs him. Unfortunately, there are three of us fighting for places and one will have to go on the bench.”
Ibrahimovic is celebrating his nomination as ‘Juventus Player of the Month’ following crucial goals, the most recent of which was in the 1-1 draw at Parma.
“I am settling in well and doing my best, but the team is helping me a great deal and I believe I’ll get better with every game. I don’t think we missed an opportunity at the Tardini, as Sebastien Frey performed some wonderful saves and we played well.”
Nonetheless, that result has allowed Milan to close the gap to just two points, so a victory against Livorno on Sunday afternoon is crucial.
“We are still the leaders and two points are not to be sniffed at,” insisted Ibrahimovic. “It looks like a two-horse race right now, but Inter are not out of the running for the Scudetto yet.”
