Serie A Preview: Juventus - Palermo
Who: Juventus (3rd, 22 points) vs Palermo (7th, 18 points)
When: 20:30 CET, Sunday November 25
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Serie A action returns this weekend at the Stadio Olimpico as Palermo travel to Turin to take on Scudetto-challengers Juventus.
Unlucky Bianconeri
Juventus will be looking to make amends for their disappointing week 12 draw at Parma after some dreadful refereeing decisions once again cost them some valuable points.
Parma were awarded a highly debatable first half penalty, Giorgio Chiellini was harshly sent off, while Vincenzo Iaquinta had a perfectly good goal disallowed in injury time that would have given Juve victory.
This followed the two non-existsent penalties that La Vecchia Signora had given against them during the 3-1 defeat to Napoli a few weeks ago.
In spite of the referees, Coach Claudio Ranieri has had a great start to life in Turin, as Juventus are just three points off leaders Inter in third place.
Ranieri will be back to his “Tinkerman” ways this weekend as Tiago, who impressed as a sub against Parma, will once again be left on the substitutes bench.
Palermo back on track?
The Sicilian club got back to winning ways in their last match, defeating a hungry Napoli side 2-1 in the Derby del Sud. Prior to that match the Rosanero had become stalemate specialists as they had drawn five consecutive games.
It was an important victory for the Rosanero as it has seemed to spark some confidence in the squad, especially Amauri who stated this week that although they are the underdogs, Palermo can go to Turin and pull off the upset.
It is a big ask for the Rosanero, however paradoxically, despite their indifferent form, they have actually gone almost two months without losing in Serie A.
Unfortunately as five of these six games were draws, they are thus not as high up the table as they could have been. However Stefano Colantuono's men are still well-placed in seventh position and a win on Sunday will see them move to within just one point of Juventus.
FORM GUIDE
Juventus
Match Result Date Championship
Parma - Juventus 2 - 2 11/11/2007 SERIE A
Juventus - Inter Milan 1 - 1 04/11/2007 SERIE A
Juventus - Empoli 3 - 0 31/10/2007 SERIE A
Napoli - Juventus 3 - 1 27/10/2007 SERIE A
Juventus - Genoa 1 - 0 21/10/2007 SERIE A
Fiorentina - Juventus 1 - 1 07/10/2007 SERIE A
Palermo
Match Result Date Championship
Palermo - Napoli 2 - 1 10/11/2007 SERIE A
Genoa - Palermo 3 - 3 04/11/2007 SERIE A
Palermo - Parma 1 - 1 31/10/2007 SERIE A
Palermo - Inter Milan 0 - 0 28/10/2007 SERIE A
Udinese - Palermo 1 - 1 21/10/2007 SERIE A
Palermo - Reggina 1 - 1 07/10/2007 SERIE A
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
Ranieri has some minor adjustments to make in defence as he will be without Giorgio Chiellini due to suspension. Alessandro Birindelli should take his place. Domenico Criscito will sit on the sidelines, as he makes way for Crisitan Molinaro. The only other change takes place in midfield, as Palladino will move to the bench in favour of Pavel Nedved.
Probable Starting XI: Buffon; Birindelli, Grygera, Legrottaglie, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Nocerino, C Zanetti, Nedved; Trezeguet, Del Piero
Palermo
Fabrizio Miccoli is still unfit to partner Amauri upfront, so it looks likely that Franco Brienza will retain his starting place. Coach Colantuono is hesitant to change his line-up drastically so the only change that will occur is Giulio Migliaccio returning to the starting line-up for the injured Fabio Caserta.
Probable Starting XI: Fontana; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli; Diana, Tedesco, Simplicio, Migliaccio, Capuano; Brienza, Amauri
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Juventus - David Trezeguet
The French striker has been in unstoppable form and is proving to everyone except Raymond Domenech that he is one of the most deadly strikers in world football.
Palermo - Amauri
The Brazilian hitman has hit his stride and proved that he can be counted on to shoulder the offensive load with Miccoli out of the line-up.
PREDICTION
This is the perfect opportunity for the Bianconeri to get back to winning ways as they face on opposition that lacks physical toughness in midfield and who are without their most creative player.
Juventus 2-0 Palermo
Barzagli: We Would Be Happy With Draw
Andrea Barzagli has admitted that Palermo are not ready to challenge for a Champions League place just yet and says they will be happy with a draw against Juventus.
The Rosanero are well placed in seventh position in Serie A and have gone almost two months without losing in the league.
However five of the six games during this time were draws, and the Sicilians were also embarrassingly knocked out of the UEFA Cup in the first round by Czech minnows Mlada Boleslav.
This Sunday Palermo face a daunting trip to Turin to face high-flying Juventus.
“We are not ready for the Champions League just yet,” said Barzagli.
“There are a lot of teams who are superior to us at the moment. Therefore would be happy with a draw in Turin on Sunday.”
Barzagli was on international duty last weekend and put in a stellar display during the Azzurri's crucial Euro 2008 qualifying win in Scotland.
“To win in Scotland in that overcrowded stadium of fans is an emotion that I will carry with me for a long time,” confessed the 26-year-old.
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