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Serie A Preview: Juventus - Fiorentina

The bitter rivalry between these two sides is the stuff of legend and so the game on Saturday evening promises to be very special indeed...

Oct 16, 2009 9:33:52 AM

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Kick Off: Saturday October 17, 18:00CET, Stadio Olimpico, Turin

Juventus Keen For Points

It's back to domestic action for Juventus, as Serie A resumes following the international break. Plenty has happened since the 2-0 loss to Palermo. Italy are through to the World Cup finals, there was the Fabio Cannavaro doping farce and Claudio Marchisio went under the knife to fix a damaged meniscus. All that will be consigned to the hand of history now, and points will be the focus on Saturday evening.

Having lost to Palermo in week seven, Ciro Ferrara's men dropped two points behind league leaders Inter. The Nerazzurri face a tricky away tie to Genoa and the emphasis will be to take maximum points. Juve have not won in four matches in all competitions, their last win coming against Livorno a month ago.

The intense rivalry between these two goes back a long way. It all started when the Viola sold Roberto Baggio to the Old Lady in 1990. The city exploded as fans went on the rampage. Since then, Juventus have played the Gigliati 36 times in all competitions, winning 18, losing six and drawing 12. The Old Lady won here 1-0 in January in the first game back after the Christimas break. Claudio Marchisio scored the winner, but he misses this game through injury. Juve's last loss to Cesare Prandelli's men was in March 2008 when the game ended 3-2 to the visitors. These teams drew here in April 2006. That match ended 1-1. Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero scored the goals, both men went on to lift the World Cup just three months later.

It's back to business for Ferrara, and he will be hoping to get his men back to winning ways with the game against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League on Wednesday in mind.

Fiorentina Determined To Win

Fourth place or better is the objective for Prandelli's side this term. They are currently joint second with Saturday's opponents, therefore mistakes will not be easy to digest in the Tuscan capital. The coach kept the players who were not on international duty busy with an in-house friendly against the youth team in mid-week. The seniors won 5-0, but they will have their noses to the grindstone this weekend.

Confidence will be high, especially Alberto Gilardino's. He fired Italy to the 2010 World Cup on Saturday with his last gasp equaliser against Ireland at Croke Park. He also bagged an incredible hat-trick against Cyprus on Wednesday. The hitman is walking with a definite spring in his step and he will be hoping to propel his side forward in Turin. 'Gila' has scored three in the league so far, the same amount as young prodigy Stevan Jovetic who may start alongside his Italian team-mate.

In 70 games in Turin in the league, the Viola have only won six times. They have shipped 151 goals, scoring 59 times. Like Juve, Prandelli's men have Champions League commitments next week against Hungarian side Debrecen. With high stakes on all fronts, the Italian coach is likely settle for a draw here.

Form Guide

Juventus

October 4 v Palermo (A) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

September 30 v Bayern Munich (A) - DREW 0-0 (Champions League)

September 27 v Bologna (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

September 23 v Genoa (A) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

September 19 v Livorno (H) - WON 2-0 (Serie A)

Fiorentina

October 4 v Lazio (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

September 29 v Liverpool (H) - WON 2-0 (Champions League)

September 26 v Livorno (A) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

September 23 v Sampdoria (H) - WON 2-0 (Serie A)

September 20 v Roma (A) - LOST 3-1 (Serie A)

Team News

Juventus

Alessandro Del Piero has returned to training. His adductor injury seems to have healed, but he is unlikely to play. Tiago is also unavailable, as is Hasan Salihamidzic and Marchisio after his knee operation. Mohamed Sissoko returns to the set up after making a full recovery from his long-term foot injury. There are no suspensions to deal with.

Probable Starting XI 4-3-1-2: Buffon, Zebina, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Melo, Sissoko; Diego; Amauri, Iaquinta.

Fiorentina

Young striker Savio Nsereko is the only injury absentee for the Viola. There are no suspensions and so Prandelli will be able to field a full strength XI, which will no doubt include former Juventus stars Marco Marchionni and Cristiano Zanetti who both return to Turin following their summer moves.

Probable Starting XI 4-2-3-1: Frey; Comotto, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Montolivo, Zanetti; Marchionni, Mutu, Vargas; Gilardino.

Players To Watch

Amauri (Juventus)

The Brazilian-born striker has not scored since February and he is desperate to break his duck this season. Although his all-round play has been first class, he still has plenty to prove, especially if he has World Cup ambitions with Italy.

Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina)

The Italian was superb while on international duty, and he will be the lone ranger in Turin. Gilardino needs little introduction to the Old Lady as he represents a constant threat.

Prediction

With heads likely to be turned towards European duties, this game has all the makings of a draw. Neither side will want to lose, and so they may play safe and settle for a point.

Juventus 1-1 Fiorentina

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

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