he's angry..again
RANIERI BLAST FOR JUVE
Juventus' players go into their home clash against Siena with coach Claudio Ranieri's criticism ringing in their ears.
The Bianconeri won for the ninth time last weekend against Lazio, ending their four-game winless run on the road.
However, Ranieri was not impressed with his players' performance.
Had it not been for the solid play of experienced goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and striker Alessandro Del Piero, the Turin giants could easily have dropped points.
"It's true that we have taken three steps forward, with three points, but we have gone four months back in terms of our performance," said a furious Ranieri.
"How can it be that Lazio have had more shots on goal than we have had in all of our games this campaign?
"Thank goodness we have Buffon and Del Piero, who have allowed us to win this game. Del Piero has scored two splendid goals, and when he is in such good form there's no-one that can stop him.
"However, I am angry, we have made absurd mistakes and this time we managed to escape unharmed."
Juve players can hopefully put things right this weekend when they meet 16th-placed Siena.
The Bianconeri go into the game knowing that a win could see them climb to second in the standings, providing Roma fail to beat Sampdoria on Sunday.
Juve are just one point behind the Romans while they trail eight points behind leaders Internazionale.
Ranieri will have to overcome the absence of midfielder Mauro Camoranesi, who will return early next year having sustained a muscular injury.
"Camoranesi's absence is a big blow for us," said Juve president Giovanni Cobogli Gigli. "Even though he will be out of action for a couple of weeks, we will miss him. He is a very important player for us."
The good news for Ranieri is that striker Vincenzo Iaquinta has recovered from injury and will be available.
Siena travel to Turin's Olympic Stadium hoping to clinch their third win of the campaign.
The Tuscan outfit are level on 14 points with 18th-placed Empoli and will be determined to get a positive result before the winter break.
Having comfortably beaten Genoa 3-1 to collect their first win on the road, Siena had hoped for a better result than a 1-1 draw against Napoli last weekend.
"We are disappointed to have conceded a goal immediately after we scored," said Siena coach Mario Beretta.
"But I have told my players to be patient, we have to go one step at a time. We got a point and there is still a long way to go.
"It's going to be a complicated season for us but the important thing is to collect points."
The good news for the visitors is that veteran striker Enrico Chiesa has recovered from the flu and will be available to play.
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