Goal.com prediction
The pre-season has not been very encouraging for the newly promoted side, and from title contenders their status has been degraded down to Champions League hopefuls as realistically the best that Juventus can aim for this year is a top four position and nothing else.
The team will need time to gel and to assimilate the tactics of Coach Claudio Ranieri and the opponents have all strengthened themselves for this difficult season ahead.
Who Needs Lucarelli?
Livorno sold influential and prolific striker Cristiano Lucarelli to Shakhtar Donetsk this past summer, but President Aldo Spinelli has no intention of looking back as he bought veteran attacker Diego Tristan and forward Francesco Tavano for what could be an explosive attack if both players click and deliver.
This will therefore be a very good test for the highly criticized Juventus defence, where the only player to have impressed so far is Andrade, even though his rough way of playing – reminiscent of Paolo Montero – will land him a lot of suspensions during the season.
The Amaranti will be targeting a mid-table position this year as the quality in the team is not missing, so it will be a good way how to gauge the Old Lady’s strength, but that will not be enough to really get an idea on where Juventus can go this season, as that will take more than just one game.
FORM GUIDE
Juventus
Milan - Juventus 2 - 0 17/08/2007 FRIENDLY CLUB
Juventus - Roma 5 - 2 11/08/2007 FRIENDLY CLUB
Sunderland - Juventus 1 - 1 04/08/2007 FRIENDLY CLUB
Hamburg - Juventus 1 - 0 01/08/2007 FRIENDLY CLUB
Newcastle - Juventus 2 - 0 29/07/2007 FRIENDLY CLUB
Juventus - Spezia 2 - 3 10/06/2007 ITALIAN SERIE B
Livorno
PAOK - Livorno 1 - 1 07/08/2007 FRIENDLY CLUB
Livorno - Atalanta 4 - 2 27/05/2007 ITALIAN SERIE A
Torino - Livorno 0 - 0 20/05/2007 ITALIAN SERIE A
Livorno - Sampdoria 1 - 0 13/05/2007 ITALIAN SERIE A
Lazio - Livorno 1 - 0 06/05/2007 ITALIAN SERIE A
Livorno - Palermo 1 - 2 29/04/2007 ITALIAN SERIE A
TEAM NEWS
JUVENTUS
The Bianconeri will be without defenders Birindelli and Grygera, whereas midfielder Marchionni has a long-term injury. No players are suspended.
Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon, Zebina, Andrade, Criscito, Chiellini, Salihamidzic, Almiron, Nocerino, Nedved, Trezeguet, Del Piero
LIVORNO
Former Juventus player Giannichedda will miss the match against the Bianconeri due to an injury, just like newcomer Dhorasoo and Vidigal. Just like Juventus, Livorno have no suspended players.
Livorno (4-4-2): Amelia, Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante, Pasquale, A. Filippini, Pulzetti, Loviso, E. Filippini, Tristan, Tavano
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nocerino (Juventus)
One of the most interesting young midfielders from this new Juventus side and the entire Italian scene. Buffon suggested to keep an eye on Nocerino this season, and that’s what we shall do starting from this match.
Tavano (Livorno)
He exploded during his Empoli days, but failed to deliver at Valencia and Roma. Now it’s his chance to prove that he was not just a flash in the pan and Livorno is the perfect stage to show what he’s worth.
PREDICTION
Juventus will need to be at their best if they want to start their Serie A season with a win as the squad has failed to live up to expectations during the pre-season. The Bianconeri are stronger than Livorno on paper, but ht Old Lady will have to prove this on the pitch. A hard earned win for Juventus.
Juventus 1 – 0 Livorno