Serie A Preview: Juventus FC - U.S. Città di Palermo
Juventus Back on track
Juventus had a poor start to the campaign with one point from their opening two fixtures, however, they bounced back strongly against Udinese on the weekend with a 4 – 0 trouncing of Udinese away from home. With Claudio Marchisio back in the central midfield
role, the club looked a completely different team. New signing Milos Krasic provided some much needed flair on the right wing. Juventus director recently said that the club has made a “bargain signing” of Krasic for just 15 million Euros. Judging from his
performances so far, Juventus have acquired a real gem of a player in Krasic.
Quagliarella was played upfront with Del Piero, and the Napolitan wrecked Havoc in the Udinese box. More of the same will be expected of the striker. The defence kept a clean sheet for the first time in four matches, and the Bianconeri faithful will hope
for a similar performance against Palermo.
Poor start for Palermo
Palermo has just one point from three Serie A appearances, and is currently placed 18th in the League. Their last outing was at home against the reigning champions Inter Milan. Palermo produced a resilient display against the Champions but Eto’o
brilliance proved too much for the side.
Palermo has a talented squad and look to bounce back in style against an in-form Juventus side. Javier Pastore is relishing the playmaking role and will look to lift the club higher in the Serie A rankings.
Team News
Juventus
Juventus have a number of players sidelined due to injury. Gigi Buffon is long-term injury causality, while Armand Traore and Jorge Andres Martinez are also out injured. Vincenzo Iaquinta made his return from injury in a goal-scoring fashion on the weekend
but he might still not be fit enough to start. Further good news for Juventus faithful, as reports in Italy state that newly- capped Italian International Amauri is ready to make his return.
Expected Formation
Juventus will line up in Delneri’s 4-4-2 formation. The formation turns in to a 4-2-4 when Juventus are on the attack. Quagliarella and Del Piero will retain the starting berths after their impressive outings on the weekend. Marchisio and Felipe Melo will
play in the midfield, while Chiellini and Bonucci will play in the heart of the defence. Marco Storari has been impressive in goal and will keep the gloves ahead of Alexander Manninger.
Line-up
Marco Storari, Marco Motta, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Zdenek Grygera, Milos Krasic, Felipe Melo, Caludio Marchisio, Simone Pepe, Alessandro Del Piero, Fabio Quagliarella
Palermo
Palermo will welcome their inspirational skipper Fabrizio Miccoli back to the starting line-up after his injury layoff. The striker is likely to partner Joseph Ilicic with Abel Hernandez demoted to the bench.
Expected Formation
Palermo will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation. Pastore will look to pull the strings in the Trequartista role. Liverani and Giulio Migliaccio will have their hands full dealing with Marchisio-Melo partnership. Despite a solid defence, Salvatore Sirigu will
have to be on his top form, if Palermo is to earn any points.
Line-up
Salvatore Sirigu, Mattia Cassani, Ezequiel Muñoz, Cesare Bovo, Federico Balzaretti, Migliaccio, Liverani, Antonio Nocerino, Javier Pastore, Miccoli, Ilicic
Key Players
Claudio Marchisio
Milos Krasic was undoubted Man of the Match against Udinese, but he will face a younger and quicker opponent in Federico Balzaretti. The Palermo youngster will give Serbian a tough time. Claudio Marchisio will have to dominate the midfield for the Juventus.
His sublime playmaking skills and eye for goal will be the key to Juventus’ chances.
Javier Pastore
Pastore has all the skill and potential to cause old lady rearguard trouble on the day. The likes of Miccoli and Ilicic will look up to him for service.
Prediction
It is going to be an open game with chances for both sides. The home advantage will tell for Juventus by the end of 90 minutes. Juventus to edge it 2 - 1
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