Juventus boss Didier Deschamps has warned his troops to not underestimate Lecce on Saturday. “We will need the same determination shown with Napoli,” he argued.
The Bianconeri moved seven points clear at the top of Serie B after the 2-0 win over the Partenopei on Tuesday, but the tactician is aware that the in-form southerners will be tough to beat.
“They have won five of their last six home games,” noted the Frenchman on Friday. “And they are very different to the team we beat 4-1 earlier this season.
“They were easier to attack while [Zdenek] Zeman was still in charge as they left so much space for us.
“However, now [under Giuseppe Papadopulo] they give very little away. They play with five at the back and are a very well balanced side.
“It will be a difficult away trip for us, especially when you take into account our absences.”
The Old Lady will travel to the Via Del Mare without the suspended trio of Alex Del Piero, Claudio Marchisio and Giuliano Giannichedda. DD will also be short of the injured Cristiano Zanetti, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Robert Kovac.
“Facing suspensions and injuries is understandable when a team plays every three or four days,” added the former midfielder. “I still haven’t made a decision on who will start the game.
“Could Pavel Nedved be used in the centre? It is an option even if he is not a classic central midfielder – I couldn’t ask him to do the same defensive work as Giannichedda, Matteo Paro or Marchisio.”
Despite the problems, Deschamps has insisted that he is aiming to head back to Turin with three points.
“I want to win, but it will not be an easy task as they will play a defensive game and we will have to try to attack,” he added.
Off the field, Juventus continue to be linked with new players but the Coach is just focusing on the present.
“We read about these issues from September to June,” he added. “Now we are fighting for an important objective and that is what we must concentrate on.
“Anyhow, the club makes these decisions and the Coach can only acknowledge them and accept them.”
Juventus squad: Buffon, Birindelli, Chiellini, Bojinov, Nedved, Mirante, Piccolo, Balzaretti, Camoranesi, Trezeguet, Paro, Palladino, Belardi, Zalayeta, Zebina, De Ceglie, Legrottaglie, Marchionni, Venitucci, Bianco.
Juventus (probable): Buffon; Birindelli, Zebina, Chiellini, Balzaretti; Camoranesi, Paro, Nedved, Palladino; Trezeguet, Bojinov
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