Team News
Juventus FC
Luigi Del Neri has had his fair share of injury worries. Legendary custodian Gianluigi Buffon will make his much anticipated return in the New Year. The goalkeeprer is joined on the side lines by Nicola Legrottaglie, Rinaudo, Zdenek Grygera, Paolo De Ceglie,
Jorge Martinez and newly capped Italy forward Amauri. Alberto Aquilani has shrugged off a minor knock and will take back his usual central midfield position.
Expected Formation
Luigi Del Neri will stick to his preferred 4-4-2 formation as it has paid rich dividends so far. Vicenzo Iaquinta has struggled with injuries for much of the season but the Italian International is expected to make the starting eleven. Fabio Quagliarella
will partner the former Udinese man upfront. Alberto Aquilani and Felipe Melo will look to combine in the midfield to devastating effect, as has been the case for much of the season. Milos Krasic will look to stretch the Viola defence with his darting runs
from his wide position on the right while Claudio Marchisio will look to cut in from the left. Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini will form a rock solid base at the back for Bianconeri to fall on. Marco Storari has deputised admirably for Buffon so far
and will retain the gloves in this game as well.
Probable Line up
Marco Storari, Frederick Sorenson, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Fabio Grosso, Milos Krasic, Felipe Melo, Alberto Aquilani, Claudio Marchisio, Fabio Quagliarella, Vicenzo Iaquinta
ACF Fiorentina
Mihajlovic is without a host of key players at this stage of Serie A. World class goalkeeper Sebastian Frey, skipper Ricardo Montolivo, Stevan Jovetic, Cristiano Zanetti, Adrian Mutu and Cesare Natali will all be out for this game. Frey, Montolivo and Jovetic
will be out for a significant time period while Natali, Mutu and Zanetti are recovering well from their respective injuries. Viola manager will also be without the services of Kroldrup and Gulan as the duo is suspended for this game.
Expected Formation
Mihajlovic will retain the 4-2-3-1 formation that almost paid dividends against AC Milan at San Siro. Alberto Gilardino will take the lone striker’s role upfront while latest sensation on the block, Adem Ljajic, will play the trequartista role. The Serbian
will be flanked by Mario Santana and Juan Manuel Vargas. In the midfield, D’Agostino will look to add silk to Donadel’s steel while the central defender pairing of Michele Comporese and Alessandro Gamberini will have their hands full dealing with dealing with
the Bianconeri attack.
Probable Line up
Artur Boruc, Gianluca Comotto, Michele Comporese, Alessandro Gamberini, Manuel Pasqual, Mario Santana, Gaetano D’Agostino, Marco Donadel, Juan Manuel Vargas, Adem Ljajic, Alberto Gilardino
Key Players
Milos Krasic
The Serb has been in stunning form in his debut season in Serie A and will look to continue with his rich vein of form. Krasic’s ability to stretch the opposition and draw defenders will be critical as that will unlock space in the middle of the park for
the likes of Aquilani and Marchisio to exploit.
Adem Ljajic
Ljajic has made a hugely impressive debut in Serie A and has shown maturity that belies his age. Against Milan, Ljajic was a bright spot in a Viola attack desperately short of ideas. Ljajic will look to pluck holes in Bianconeri defence with his pin point
passes and through balls.
Prediction
Juventus have a rather impressive home record as Old Lady has been defeated only once at home. The defeat came in the earlier part of the season and things have changed for the better at Turin. Bianconeri will dispatch an injury depleted and struggling Viola
outfit with consummate ease. Juventus is likely to come out victorious 2-0.
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