Italian Serie A Preview: US Palermo vs. Juventus FC
Rosanero continue to stutter
US Palermo finished fifth in the Calcio charts in the 2009-10 season after challenging for a Champions League berth for much of the term. Many expected them to go one step better this season but Palermo have disappointed.
Few would argue against the fact that the Aquile have one of the most talented squads in the Peninsula. However, for all their skill, the team blows hot and cold. Palermo’s inability to sustain good form and string together a good run of results has frequently
resulted in dropped points against inferior opposition.
Going into round 23, Delio Rossi’s men are eighth in the league table with 34 points to their name. The squad must hit a consistent patch if they are to dream of playing in the UEFA Champions league next season. The last time Palermo met Juventus was in
Turin earlier this season, when Javier Pastore inspired the Rosanero to a historic 3-1 victory. Rossi will look to summon the spirits of the months passed to repeat the trick.
Juventus' disappointing run persists
Following Juventus’ return to Serie A after the Calciopoli scandal, the Bianconeri are yet to forge a squad that is capable of challenging for major silverware. The Juventus hierarchy revamped the squad in the summer with the addition of eleven players.
However, the millions invested in the squad bore little fruit, and La Vecchia Signora’s Directors went shopping yet again in the recently concluded January transfer window.
Manager Luigi Del Neri has been terribly unlucky with injuries. With almost half the squad filling up numbers on treatment benches, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Barzagli-c5669 and Luca Toni – who got injured in his second outing for Juventus - have been drafted in.
With the likes of AC Milan, AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Udinese-Calcio-c40789 boasting better squads, it will need a heroic effort from Del Neri’s troops to break into the top four in the Serie A.
Team News
US Palermo
Delio Rossi will be without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Josip-Ilicic-c19564 will lead the Aquile lines in Rossi’s 4-3-1-2 formation, while Javier Pastore
will take his natural trequartista position.
Juventus FC
Luigi Del Neri will travel to Sicily with Vicenzo Iaquinta, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Leandro-Rinaudo-c21843 staying behind to nurse their injuries.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Del-Piero-c4726 and Alessandro Matri will lead the attack in Del Neri’s 4-4-2 formation.
Key Players
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Pastore-c18082
After blistering on to the scene last season, Pastore’s performances have left a lot to be desired lately. Against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan earlier this week, Pastore was the worst player on the pitch. The Rosanero need the sensation firing on all cylinders if they are
to play in Europe next season. Deli Rossi will have to weave his motivational wand and reignite the Pastore engine.
Alessandro Del Piero
Desspite being 36 years old, Alessandro Del Piero continues to be the best outfield player for a sorry Juventus outfit. The skipper will have to lead from the front tonight if the Turin giants are to kick-start their season.
Prediction
Both teams have performed rather poorly of late. This game has the potential to be an excellent encounter provided that the sides play up to their potential. However, Juventus should manage to eke out a narrow 2–1 victory at home.
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