[Serie A] Lazio - Juventus (8 Viewers)
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Serie A Preview: Lazio-Juventus
12/17/2005 7:54:00 AM
While the formbook points firmly to a Juventus victory, Lazio will be looking to upset the odds and take the three points on Saturday. Lazio have traditionally done well against the Bianconeri and will be confident of an upset against their seemingly unstoppable opponents.
BACKGROUND
The Biancocelesti currently lie eighth in the standings after a sturdy if unspectacular start to the season. Having taken the majority of their twenty-two points from their home games, Lazio have yet to loose at the Olimpico. The Biancocelesti have been poor away from home but the five wins and just two draws they have managed in Rome has kept them amongst the sides competing for a UEFA Cup spot. Paolo Di Canio’s infamous fascist salute last week has captured all the headlines, and the club will be looking to make the news for the right reasons on Saturday. If Lazio can improve their dire away record and continue their good home form, the Biancocelesti will be well placed to avoid last season’s relegation dogfight and secure a more healthy mid-table finish.
Juventus are one of the most untouchable sides in Europe at the moment. The ‘Old Lady’ has lost just once in both Serie A and Europe so far this season. The last round of Serie A matches saw Fabio Capello’s demolished Cagliari and showed that they are not about to take their foot off the pedal just yet. With Capello’s men chasing records, the Juve tactician will not allowed his side to ease up on their relentless pursuit of the title. Last weeks performance was a powerful message to the Bianconeri’s title rivals, a statement of intent as Juve never stopped pressing forward even at 4-0. As Juve look for their 15th win from 16 Serie A games, few would bet against them.
TEAM NEWS
Lazio
Delio Rossi has a full side to choose from and will start Di Canio despite the media furore surrounding the veteran striker.
Juventus
Buffon apart, Capello has the luxury of calling on his first 11 for this game. Buffon injured his toe in training and will miss further games after recovering from a shoulder injury. Cannavaro returns to the side after shrugging off an injury. Kovac returns to the bench.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lazio
Di Canio has been in the spotlight recently after his antics last week, however he still has the talent to make the headlines for the right reasons. The veteran striker has the experience and skill to open up defences and could be a real handful to Juve’s rear guard.
Juventus
Vieira returns to the side after an injury and will be of vital importance if his side are to dominate the midfield away from home. Having recently struggled with injuries, Vieira has not reached his best for Juve in recent games and will look to show his new fans what he had been doing for Arsenal for many years.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Lazio (4-3-3):
Peruzzi - Oddo, Siviglia, Cribari, Zauri - Behrami, Dabo, Liverani - Pandev, Di Canio, Rocchi
Juventus (4-4-2):
Abiatti - Zambrotta, Thuram, F.Cannavaro, Chiellini - Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved - Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic.
PREDICTION
Juventus should easily cope with Lazio at the follow on from their win over Cagliari with a win against Lazio at the Olimpico.
Lazio 0-2 Juventus
12/17/2005 7:54:00 AM
While the formbook points firmly to a Juventus victory, Lazio will be looking to upset the odds and take the three points on Saturday. Lazio have traditionally done well against the Bianconeri and will be confident of an upset against their seemingly unstoppable opponents.
BACKGROUND
The Biancocelesti currently lie eighth in the standings after a sturdy if unspectacular start to the season. Having taken the majority of their twenty-two points from their home games, Lazio have yet to loose at the Olimpico. The Biancocelesti have been poor away from home but the five wins and just two draws they have managed in Rome has kept them amongst the sides competing for a UEFA Cup spot. Paolo Di Canio’s infamous fascist salute last week has captured all the headlines, and the club will be looking to make the news for the right reasons on Saturday. If Lazio can improve their dire away record and continue their good home form, the Biancocelesti will be well placed to avoid last season’s relegation dogfight and secure a more healthy mid-table finish.
Juventus are one of the most untouchable sides in Europe at the moment. The ‘Old Lady’ has lost just once in both Serie A and Europe so far this season. The last round of Serie A matches saw Fabio Capello’s demolished Cagliari and showed that they are not about to take their foot off the pedal just yet. With Capello’s men chasing records, the Juve tactician will not allowed his side to ease up on their relentless pursuit of the title. Last weeks performance was a powerful message to the Bianconeri’s title rivals, a statement of intent as Juve never stopped pressing forward even at 4-0. As Juve look for their 15th win from 16 Serie A games, few would bet against them.
TEAM NEWS
Lazio
Delio Rossi has a full side to choose from and will start Di Canio despite the media furore surrounding the veteran striker.
Juventus
Buffon apart, Capello has the luxury of calling on his first 11 for this game. Buffon injured his toe in training and will miss further games after recovering from a shoulder injury. Cannavaro returns to the side after shrugging off an injury. Kovac returns to the bench.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lazio
Di Canio has been in the spotlight recently after his antics last week, however he still has the talent to make the headlines for the right reasons. The veteran striker has the experience and skill to open up defences and could be a real handful to Juve’s rear guard.
Juventus
Vieira returns to the side after an injury and will be of vital importance if his side are to dominate the midfield away from home. Having recently struggled with injuries, Vieira has not reached his best for Juve in recent games and will look to show his new fans what he had been doing for Arsenal for many years.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Lazio (4-3-3):
Peruzzi - Oddo, Siviglia, Cribari, Zauri - Behrami, Dabo, Liverani - Pandev, Di Canio, Rocchi
Juventus (4-4-2):
Abiatti - Zambrotta, Thuram, F.Cannavaro, Chiellini - Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved - Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic.
PREDICTION
Juventus should easily cope with Lazio at the follow on from their win over Cagliari with a win against Lazio at the Olimpico.
Lazio 0-2 Juventus
Here is the list of the players called for the Lazio-Juventus game that will take place Saturday night, 8:30 pm at the Olimpico stadium:
3 Chiellini
4 Vieira
6 Kovac
7 Pessotto
9 Ibrahimovic
10 Del Piero
11 Nedved
12 Chimenti
14 Balzaretti
15 Criscito
16 Camoranesi
17 Trezeguet
19 Zambrotta
20 Blasi
21 Thuram
22 Bonnefoi
24 Olivera
25 Zalayeta
28 Cannavaro
32 Abbiati
3 Chiellini
4 Vieira
6 Kovac
7 Pessotto
9 Ibrahimovic
10 Del Piero
11 Nedved
12 Chimenti
14 Balzaretti
15 Criscito
16 Camoranesi
17 Trezeguet
19 Zambrotta
20 Blasi
21 Thuram
22 Bonnefoi
24 Olivera
25 Zalayeta
28 Cannavaro
32 Abbiati
