Serie A Preview: A.S http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 vs. Juventus
Can Enrique’s men upset the league leaders?
Under pressure, A.S Roma will take on high-flying, Juventus, in a crunch Serie A clash at the Stadio Olimpico Rome on Monday, December 12, 2011.
Roma versus Juventus has always been an intriguing fixture in the Serie A calendar and this one also promises to be one of its kinds. The game could have a major say in the managerial career of Luis Enrique at the club. However,
a victory would take Antonio Conte’s men at the top of the league table.
A.S Roma
After two successive defeats and the humiliation against Fiorentina last week, the supporters have started to lose patience with Enrique and they have protested for his sacking as the Giallorossi boss. The Capital club is possessed
with difficulties in all areas of their game. The strike force has failed to score a goal in their last two games, while the defence has been all over the place.
The Roma fans will not have fond memories from the corresponding fixture of the last season, as they lost 2-0 to the Turin giants in April, 2011.
Juventus
The league leaders are yet to taste a defeat in the 2011/12 Serie A campaign. The Old Lady have been in great form on their travels as they have won more than half of their games on road. Juve have always enjoyed their league meetings
with the Giallorossi as they have lost only one game in their previous 12 meetings with them.
Team News
A.S Roma
Enrique will face a tough task to reconstruct his defensive department, as first-choice defenders, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Cassetti-c23682 and Simon Kjaer are out with injuries. While, senior defender, Juan, is serving suspension from the red card picked
up in the last game. There is some good news in the strike department as skipper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Osvaldo-c28821 has served his club suspension and is also available for the game.
Roma (probable): Stekelenburg; Rosi, De Rossi, Heinze, Taddei; Perrotta, Viviani, Pjanic; Totti; Osvaldo, Lamela
Juventus
There are no major absentees for the visitors, as only the former Giallorossi star, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Matri-c4733 is likely to start as a lone striker
upfront, while midfielder, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-Estigarribia-c23581, is likely to get a rare chance.
Juventus (probable): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-c29670, Matri, Estigarribia
Players to Watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Osvaldo-c28996 (A.S Roma)
The former Espanyol star was handed a 10 day ban by the club after he punched http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Erik-Lamela-c12758 during a dressing room bust up. The Italian international has undoubtedly been the best player for Roma in the ongoing campaign. The 25-year-old
is the highest goal-scorer for the Giallorossi with five goals thus far.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Claudio-Marchisio-c9312 (Juventus)
The Italian international has been a revelation this season and is the club’s leading goal-scorer alongside Matri. The 25-year-old has scored some important goals for the Old Lady this season including a brace against A.C Milan.
The former Empoli loanee will have to step up once again in order to take his team back to the top of the Serie A table.
Prediction
The games between the two sides have always had a nail biting finish and despite Roma’s struggles this season, the trend is likely to persist. However, the visitors are likely to continue their winless streak and sneak to a close
fought win. Verdict: 1-2
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