Serie A: Sampdoria vs Juventus [May 17, 2008] (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Azzurri7
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Were there ever 3 players who shared it?
Serie A Preview: Sampdoria-Juventus
What: Serie A - Matchday 38
Who: Sampdoria (6th, 59 points) vs Juventus (3rd, 71 points)
When: Sunday 18 May 2008, 15:00
Where: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
Almost A Friendly
With both Sampdoria and Juventus already having reached their respective objectives, this is a match both sides will approach in a relaxed mood. Sampdoria recently ensured they would play in the Uefa Cup after both Inter and Roma reached the Coppa Italia final, while Juve have been sure of finishing third for a while now.
Both clubs can look back on a satisfying, even memorable season. Sampdoria were coming off a couple of really disappointing seasons, but this time, after a so-so start, they surprised many with a very consistent level of performance, especially at home. Much of that was thanks to Antonio Cassano, who's had something of a resurgence this season after his nightmare spell at Real Madrid.
Of course, they also have to thank coach Walter Mazzarri, who came over from Reggina and turned Samp into a well-oiled squad with a lot of team spirit. For some obscure reason though, the coach doesn't seem to be on very good terms with the management and his future at the club is in doubt.
Claudio Ranieri has done equally well with Juventus, who were coming from Serie B but nevertheless managed to get a number of prestigious results (beating the likes of Milan, Inter, and Roma), and maintain a high-level position in the table for most of the season. He is one Serie A coach whose short-term future is certainly not in the balance.
This will probably be the type of game where the big-name players get a rest (goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has already indicated he won't play in this game) and we'll see some young Primavera players make their debuts. It could either be an entertaining, free-flowing match or a completely lifeless affair; it remains to be seen how it will turn out.
FORM GUIDE
Sampdoria
11/05 (Serie A): Palermo-Sampdoria 0-2
04/05 (Serie A): Sampdoria-Roma 0-3
27/04 (Serie A): Fiorentina-Sampdoria 2-2
20/04 (Serie A): Sampdoria-Udinese 3-0
13/04 (Serie A): Reggina-Sampdoria 1-0
Juventus
11/05 (Serie A): Juventus-Catania 1-1
04/05 (Serie A): Siena-Juventus 1-0
27/04 (Serie A): Juventus-Lazio 5-2
20/04 (Serie A): Atalanta-Juventus 0-4
16/04 (Serie A): Juventus-Parma 3-0
TEAM NEWS
Sampdoria
Goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi, Sergio Volpi, Ikechukwu Kalu, Stefano Lucchini, and Claudio Bellucci are out injured.
Possible formation (3-5-2): Mirante; Gastaldello, Sala, Accardi; Maggio, Sammarco, Palombo, Franceschini, Pieri; Cassano, Bonazzoli.
Juventus
Jorge Andrade, Vincenzo Iaquinta, and Cristiano Zanetti are out injured, while Zdenek Grygera, Antonio Nocerino, and Mauro Camoranesi are suspended.
Possible formation (4-4-2): Belardi; Salihamidzic, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko, Tiago, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria)
Although he's had a fine season on his return to Serie A, scoring 9 goals and providing a number of fine assists, it probably won't be good enough to make it into Italy's Euro 2008 squad. If it hadn't been for a recent incident where he insulted and threatened a referee, which led to a five-match ban, things might have been different. As things stand, he still has to show the necessary maturity to be considered a truly great player.
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)
In this game the iconic Juve captain will battle it out with his partner David Trezeguet for the Capocannoniere title, which is quite remarkable. Currently they are joint top scorers with 19 goals, along with Genoa's Marco Borriello. This season was easily one of Del Piero's best ever, and it would be an injustice if he is not included in Roberto Donadoni's squad for the Euros.
PREDICTION
Sampdoria-Juventus 2-2
Danilo Pochini
www.goal.com
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What: Serie A - Matchday 38
Who: Sampdoria (6th, 59 points) vs Juventus (3rd, 71 points)
When: Sunday 18 May 2008, 15:00
Where: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
Almost A Friendly
With both Sampdoria and Juventus already having reached their respective objectives, this is a match both sides will approach in a relaxed mood. Sampdoria recently ensured they would play in the Uefa Cup after both Inter and Roma reached the Coppa Italia final, while Juve have been sure of finishing third for a while now.
Both clubs can look back on a satisfying, even memorable season. Sampdoria were coming off a couple of really disappointing seasons, but this time, after a so-so start, they surprised many with a very consistent level of performance, especially at home. Much of that was thanks to Antonio Cassano, who's had something of a resurgence this season after his nightmare spell at Real Madrid.
Of course, they also have to thank coach Walter Mazzarri, who came over from Reggina and turned Samp into a well-oiled squad with a lot of team spirit. For some obscure reason though, the coach doesn't seem to be on very good terms with the management and his future at the club is in doubt.
Claudio Ranieri has done equally well with Juventus, who were coming from Serie B but nevertheless managed to get a number of prestigious results (beating the likes of Milan, Inter, and Roma), and maintain a high-level position in the table for most of the season. He is one Serie A coach whose short-term future is certainly not in the balance.
This will probably be the type of game where the big-name players get a rest (goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has already indicated he won't play in this game) and we'll see some young Primavera players make their debuts. It could either be an entertaining, free-flowing match or a completely lifeless affair; it remains to be seen how it will turn out.
FORM GUIDE
Sampdoria
11/05 (Serie A): Palermo-Sampdoria 0-2
04/05 (Serie A): Sampdoria-Roma 0-3
27/04 (Serie A): Fiorentina-Sampdoria 2-2
20/04 (Serie A): Sampdoria-Udinese 3-0
13/04 (Serie A): Reggina-Sampdoria 1-0
Juventus
11/05 (Serie A): Juventus-Catania 1-1
04/05 (Serie A): Siena-Juventus 1-0
27/04 (Serie A): Juventus-Lazio 5-2
20/04 (Serie A): Atalanta-Juventus 0-4
16/04 (Serie A): Juventus-Parma 3-0
TEAM NEWS
Sampdoria
Goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi, Sergio Volpi, Ikechukwu Kalu, Stefano Lucchini, and Claudio Bellucci are out injured.
Possible formation (3-5-2): Mirante; Gastaldello, Sala, Accardi; Maggio, Sammarco, Palombo, Franceschini, Pieri; Cassano, Bonazzoli.
Juventus
Jorge Andrade, Vincenzo Iaquinta, and Cristiano Zanetti are out injured, while Zdenek Grygera, Antonio Nocerino, and Mauro Camoranesi are suspended.
Possible formation (4-4-2): Belardi; Salihamidzic, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko, Tiago, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria)
Although he's had a fine season on his return to Serie A, scoring 9 goals and providing a number of fine assists, it probably won't be good enough to make it into Italy's Euro 2008 squad. If it hadn't been for a recent incident where he insulted and threatened a referee, which led to a five-match ban, things might have been different. As things stand, he still has to show the necessary maturity to be considered a truly great player.
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)
In this game the iconic Juve captain will battle it out with his partner David Trezeguet for the Capocannoniere title, which is quite remarkable. Currently they are joint top scorers with 19 goals, along with Genoa's Marco Borriello. This season was easily one of Del Piero's best ever, and it would be an injustice if he is not included in Roberto Donadoni's squad for the Euros.
PREDICTION
Sampdoria-Juventus 2-2
Danilo Pochini
www.goal.com
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