imo This match will decide Ranieri's future with Juve
If he wasn't under scrutiny before, he definitely is now.
2008 has been very mediocre, and if it wasn't for Roma and Fiorentina sputtering, the poor performance would be exascerbated. One win in January against the likes of Catania, Livorno and Sampdoria, coupled with starting February with a draw against the worst team in Serie A is cause for alarm. I don't care that Buffon, Chiellini, Zebina and Camoranesi were out for those games... that only gives Juve an excuse against Inter in the Coppa... but it doesn't excuse sputtering against lightweights.
If Ranieri's depth is failing him, he only has himself to blame. He could have demanded De Ceglie be returned from loan, he could have demanded that Cigarini was purchased, he could have demanded Zaccardo or Barzagli... If he was unhappy with Belardi and the reserve keepers, then he should have brought back Mirante... This all could have been done early in the transfer period. Stendardo and Sissoko have been decent so far, but Stendardo is on loan with a lofty buy-in, and Sissoko is not a creative presence.
Not to mention his obvious questionable tactics. Praying that the Nedved-Del Piero-Trezeguet connection bails you out when most of the others have their heads up their ass is not a tactic.