Juve respect Livorno threat
Claudio Ranieri has warned his Juventus side to not underestimate Livorno when the two sides meet in Serie A on Sunday night.
Most neutrals would see the Bianconeri as strong favourites to collect the three points, but Ranieri is keen for Juventus to stay focused just days after Atalanta surprised many by beating Milan 2-1.
“I know that nothing can be taken for granted in the Italian championship,” the former Chelsea boss stated on Saturday.
“I’ll ask the boys for a win after our last two games ended in draws, but Livorno have won five and drawn four of their last nine games.
“[Their Coach Giancarlo] Camolese is working very well, his squad is in good shape and their strike pairing of Diego Tristan and Ciccio Tavano is doing some nice things.
“It won’t be an easy game because Livorno are a side who play closed football and hit teams on the break.”
Things have been further complicated for the Turin giants after Gigi Buffon joined the club’s growing injury list.
“I hope he’s not out for too long,” the boss noted. “He picked up the problem in the game against Sampdoria which then unexpectedly popped up again.
“I’m hoping to have him back for the Inter Cup game in midweek. In the meantime, I’m curious to see how his replacement plays.
“[Emanuele] Belardi has already played for us this season, he’s up to match fitness and I’m sufficiently calm about the situation.”
Mauro German Camoranesi will also miss out on the game even if Ranieri has included the Italian international in his squad.
“He’s still not ready to play, but I thought it would be a good opportunity for him to feel the tension of the changing room again and he’ll probably be on the bench versus Inter.”
Juventus have stuttered since the winter break having drawn 1-1 at Catania and being frustrated to a 0-0 at home versus Sampdoria.
Despite those setbacks, other teams haven’t fully profited and La Vecchia Signora are still third in the table.
“We want to be in charge of our own destiny and we are not looking at the other teams,” the tactician stated. “I’m happy even if we need to improve.
“As Alex Del Piero has said, we have done a lot already and we still have a lot more to do.”
Turning to the transfer market, Ranieri admitted that the future of Jean-Alain Boumsong is still not decided after his sale to French champions Lyon was put on hold.
“We’re waiting for developments on whether he will go or not go,” noted Ranieri. “We have to see whether another defender will arrive. Who? I know as much as you…”
Squad: Belardi, Vanstrattan, Novembre; Birindelli, Grygera, Molinaro, Legrottaglie, Ariaudo, D'Elia; Zanetti, Salihamidzic, Camoranesi, Nedved, Nocerino, Tiago, Castiglia; Iaquinta, Del Piero, Trezeguet, Palladino.
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Claudio Ranieri has warned his Juventus side to not underestimate Livorno when the two sides meet in Serie A on Sunday night.
Most neutrals would see the Bianconeri as strong favourites to collect the three points, but Ranieri is keen for Juventus to stay focused just days after Atalanta surprised many by beating Milan 2-1.
“I know that nothing can be taken for granted in the Italian championship,” the former Chelsea boss stated on Saturday.
“I’ll ask the boys for a win after our last two games ended in draws, but Livorno have won five and drawn four of their last nine games.
“[Their Coach Giancarlo] Camolese is working very well, his squad is in good shape and their strike pairing of Diego Tristan and Ciccio Tavano is doing some nice things.
“It won’t be an easy game because Livorno are a side who play closed football and hit teams on the break.”
Things have been further complicated for the Turin giants after Gigi Buffon joined the club’s growing injury list.
“I hope he’s not out for too long,” the boss noted. “He picked up the problem in the game against Sampdoria which then unexpectedly popped up again.
“I’m hoping to have him back for the Inter Cup game in midweek. In the meantime, I’m curious to see how his replacement plays.
“[Emanuele] Belardi has already played for us this season, he’s up to match fitness and I’m sufficiently calm about the situation.”
Mauro German Camoranesi will also miss out on the game even if Ranieri has included the Italian international in his squad.
“He’s still not ready to play, but I thought it would be a good opportunity for him to feel the tension of the changing room again and he’ll probably be on the bench versus Inter.”
Juventus have stuttered since the winter break having drawn 1-1 at Catania and being frustrated to a 0-0 at home versus Sampdoria.
Despite those setbacks, other teams haven’t fully profited and La Vecchia Signora are still third in the table.
“We want to be in charge of our own destiny and we are not looking at the other teams,” the tactician stated. “I’m happy even if we need to improve.
“As Alex Del Piero has said, we have done a lot already and we still have a lot more to do.”
Turning to the transfer market, Ranieri admitted that the future of Jean-Alain Boumsong is still not decided after his sale to French champions Lyon was put on hold.
“We’re waiting for developments on whether he will go or not go,” noted Ranieri. “We have to see whether another defender will arrive. Who? I know as much as you…”
Squad: Belardi, Vanstrattan, Novembre; Birindelli, Grygera, Molinaro, Legrottaglie, Ariaudo, D'Elia; Zanetti, Salihamidzic, Camoranesi, Nedved, Nocerino, Tiago, Castiglia; Iaquinta, Del Piero, Trezeguet, Palladino.
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