Serie A: Juventus vs Roma [Feb 16 , 2008] (6 Viewers)
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Updated: Feb. 14, 2008
Juventus seek to ruffle Roma in title tilt
ROME, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Juventus will look to show AS Roma on Saturday (1930 GMT) they must watch their backs in the race to challenge leaders Inter Milan for the Serie A title.
Juve have been surprisingly competitive on their return to the top-flight after an enforced spell in Serie B for a match-fixing scandal, but their chances of winning the championship have receded in recent weeks as they fell 12 points behind Inter.
Finishing second and earning automatic qualification for the group stage of the Champions League appears a more attainable target.
Juventus, with 44 points from 22 games, would pull within one of second-placed Roma by beating them in Turin this weekend.
The media have billed the match as a battle between Roma's slick soccer and Juve's character and determination.
Roma defender Christian Panucci insists his side also have plenty of grit allied to their technical ability.
'They are ballsy, but we are pretty ballsy too,' he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 'Naturally, if they come in front of us at end, it means we have got something wrong'.
Brazilian defender Juan should be back from a foot injury for Roma.
Coach Luciano Spletti may rest some regulars ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid but captain Francesco Totti is expected to play, despite a bad back that has been troubling him in recent weeks.
Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri will be able to call on Guglielmo Stendardo as the defender has served a three-match ban he picked up with Lazio before moving on loan last month.
Inter, who lead Roma by eight points, are without suspended midfielder Patrick Vieira for Saturday's home game against Livorno (1500).
Fifth-place AC Milan will hope to put their bid for a top-four spot and Champions League qualification place back on track on Saturday at Parma (1700) after being held 1-1 by Livorno on Wednesday.
Milan striker Ronaldo will need surgery after suffering a knee ligament injury in the draw. Italian media suggested the injury could put an end to the 31-year-old's career.
Brazilian duo Kaka and Alexandre Pato are on the mend from their respective knee and ankle problems, but they may be saved for next week's visit to Arsenal in the Champions League.
Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf should be able to return from the knock that kept him out of the Livorno game.
Fiorentina, who are a point above Milan in fourth, host Catania on Sunday (1400).
Juventus seek to ruffle Roma in title tilt
ROME, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Juventus will look to show AS Roma on Saturday (1930 GMT) they must watch their backs in the race to challenge leaders Inter Milan for the Serie A title.
Juve have been surprisingly competitive on their return to the top-flight after an enforced spell in Serie B for a match-fixing scandal, but their chances of winning the championship have receded in recent weeks as they fell 12 points behind Inter.
Finishing second and earning automatic qualification for the group stage of the Champions League appears a more attainable target.
Juventus, with 44 points from 22 games, would pull within one of second-placed Roma by beating them in Turin this weekend.
The media have billed the match as a battle between Roma's slick soccer and Juve's character and determination.
Roma defender Christian Panucci insists his side also have plenty of grit allied to their technical ability.
'They are ballsy, but we are pretty ballsy too,' he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 'Naturally, if they come in front of us at end, it means we have got something wrong'.
Brazilian defender Juan should be back from a foot injury for Roma.
Coach Luciano Spletti may rest some regulars ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid but captain Francesco Totti is expected to play, despite a bad back that has been troubling him in recent weeks.
Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri will be able to call on Guglielmo Stendardo as the defender has served a three-match ban he picked up with Lazio before moving on loan last month.
Inter, who lead Roma by eight points, are without suspended midfielder Patrick Vieira for Saturday's home game against Livorno (1500).
Fifth-place AC Milan will hope to put their bid for a top-four spot and Champions League qualification place back on track on Saturday at Parma (1700) after being held 1-1 by Livorno on Wednesday.
Milan striker Ronaldo will need surgery after suffering a knee ligament injury in the draw. Italian media suggested the injury could put an end to the 31-year-old's career.
Brazilian duo Kaka and Alexandre Pato are on the mend from their respective knee and ankle problems, but they may be saved for next week's visit to Arsenal in the Champions League.
Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf should be able to return from the knock that kept him out of the Livorno game.
Fiorentina, who are a point above Milan in fourth, host Catania on Sunday (1400).
Mancini Tells Juve: We Want To Win
Amantino Mancini has told Juventus that Roma are travelling to Turin this Saturday evening looking for all three points.
Four points separate the second-placed Giallorossi from the Bianconeri a position below, and the game will be crucial in deciding who finishes higher come the end of the season.
“It is a direct battle for second spot and it will be a tough game,” Mancini told Studio Sport.
“The Bianconeri are a good side and they are growing, but the important thing is for us to win and bring home the three points.
“It is an exciting prospect, as we want to test our abilities and I’m certain that it will be a great game.”
Roma have only lost twice all season in Serie A, however they still find themselves eight points behind leaders Inter.
“Eight points is a lot, but we have to get on with our own championship,” he insisted.
“We know that chasing Inter is hard because they are so good, but we just need to win as many games as possible.”
Finally Mancini commented on the horrific injury sustained by Ronaldo yesterday, which many believe may have ended his career.
“He is an idol for me,” the winger said.
“I am very sad at his situation and I hope that he can heal. He is a player I always enjoying watching on the pitch.”
goal.com
Man,our LB/RB will get owned by Roma...Guily/Taddei will destroy Molinar
n other side its Mancini. umpkin:
Amantino Mancini has told Juventus that Roma are travelling to Turin this Saturday evening looking for all three points.
Four points separate the second-placed Giallorossi from the Bianconeri a position below, and the game will be crucial in deciding who finishes higher come the end of the season.
“It is a direct battle for second spot and it will be a tough game,” Mancini told Studio Sport.
“The Bianconeri are a good side and they are growing, but the important thing is for us to win and bring home the three points.
“It is an exciting prospect, as we want to test our abilities and I’m certain that it will be a great game.”
Roma have only lost twice all season in Serie A, however they still find themselves eight points behind leaders Inter.
“Eight points is a lot, but we have to get on with our own championship,” he insisted.
“We know that chasing Inter is hard because they are so good, but we just need to win as many games as possible.”
Finally Mancini commented on the horrific injury sustained by Ronaldo yesterday, which many believe may have ended his career.
“He is an idol for me,” the winger said.
“I am very sad at his situation and I hope that he can heal. He is a player I always enjoying watching on the pitch.”
goal.com
Man,our LB/RB will get owned by Roma...Guily/Taddei will destroy Molinar
n other side its Mancini. umpkin:
Iaquinta: "Everything will be more interesting because Roma have the Champions League which could distract them at the end of the season. It will be a great end to the season and for us second place is a fundamental aim."
Juan: "Roma can still win the title, we still believe it's possible. Eight points is a lot but we can catch them (Inter), as we saw at the beginning of the second half of the season. There's still a lot of matches to go and we're not giving up."
Ranieri: "If we beat Roma we would have a chance to battle for second spot. It's going to be a spectacular and a difficult game."
Buffon: "The game with Roma will tell us if we must give up flying higher or just look as far as the second place"
A question: Is it right that Totti has has never scored against Juventus in the league??
Juan: "Roma can still win the title, we still believe it's possible. Eight points is a lot but we can catch them (Inter), as we saw at the beginning of the second half of the season. There's still a lot of matches to go and we're not giving up."
Ranieri: "If we beat Roma we would have a chance to battle for second spot. It's going to be a spectacular and a difficult game."
Buffon: "The game with Roma will tell us if we must give up flying higher or just look as far as the second place"
A question: Is it right that Totti has has never scored against Juventus in the league??
GAME ON
Trezeguet and Camoranesi to play
Penultimate training session before Saturday evening's match against Roma and two items of good news. Trezeguet's fever and Camoranesi's back ache have subsided. The striker recovered by spending the day resting and the midfielder by carrying out a light training session; the medical staff have given them the go-ahead to join up with their team mates again.
Tomorrow, after the morning's training session, Claudio Ranieri will hold a press conference (at 1 pm, shown live on Juventus Channel) during which he will name the squad for the game. For the first time he will be able to call up Stendardo in the League, as the player has ended his three-match suspension earned before joining the Bianconeri
Juventus.com
Trezeguet and Camoranesi to play
Penultimate training session before Saturday evening's match against Roma and two items of good news. Trezeguet's fever and Camoranesi's back ache have subsided. The striker recovered by spending the day resting and the midfielder by carrying out a light training session; the medical staff have given them the go-ahead to join up with their team mates again.
Tomorrow, after the morning's training session, Claudio Ranieri will hold a press conference (at 1 pm, shown live on Juventus Channel) during which he will name the squad for the game. For the first time he will be able to call up Stendardo in the League, as the player has ended his three-match suspension earned before joining the Bianconeri
Juventus.com
