Roma - Juventus
Stadio Olimpico
If Juventus were being graded by a schoolteacher for their effort in chasing down Serie A leaders Inter then they would be marked A+ based on recent results. Four straight wins – against Palermo, Napoli, Torino and Bologna – have added to a run of six matches unbeaten. That run itself finishes off a streak started with their win over Torino in October that has reaped 16 wins from 21 matches.
Roma must try and match that scintillating form over the next two months if they are to claw their way back into the top four – and seal their place in the 2009-10 edition of the Champions League. Three consecutive draws – against Inter, Udinese and Sampdoria – have slowed their progress and they need to get out of this rut that is seeing them wade through glue instead of sprinting away from Genoa and Fiorentina.
Alessandro Del Piero will have revenge on his mind after his penalty miss in the corresponding fixture last season. Back in Week 4 of the 2007-08 campaign, Roma were defending a 100 per cent record and were yet to concede a goal in Serie A play. However, after 17 minutes David Trezeguet netted his 100th goal in Italy’s top-flight. Francesco Totti bagged a brace before half-time to restore Roman pride and just after the restart ADP had his chance from the spot – but he blazed over the bar. Luckily Vincenzo Iaquinta was on hand to nab an equaliser in the 87th minute.
Nevertheless, Pinturicchio has claimed a modicum of payback already earlier this season when he scored a gem of a goal in Turin’s Stadio Olimpico against Roma. In Week 10 the Bianconeri won 2-0, with Marco Marchionni adding the second goal. That victory meant that I Lupi were looking at six defeats in their first 10 games of the campaign – with not even a point won on their travels.
Recent history suggests that Juve will head back north with something from this fixture. Not since 2004 have Roma beaten Juventus on their own turf. Last season’s 2-2 draw ended a run of three home defeats in Serie A and the Coppa Italia for the Eternal City’s red-shirted club. That triumph in 2004 was one to savour though as an opener from Olivier Dacourt, a penalty from Francesco Totti and a double from Antonio Cassano sealed a famous 4-0 win.
Indiscipline has caught up with Roma as they see Daniele De Rossi, David Pizarro, Souleymane Diamoutene and Marco Motta suspended for this crucial game. Added to the injury list that features Cicinho, Marco Cassetti, Juan, Rodrigo Taddei, Simone Perrotta and Alberto Aquilani and the Giallorossi face a real crisis for the visit of Juventus.
Down to the bare bones, youngsters like 17-year-old defender Alessandro Crescenzi, 18-year-old defender Riccardo Brosco and 18-year-old striker Marco D’Alessandro look set to be placed on the Roma bench – limiting Luciano Spalletti’s options should he need to make tactical changes late in the game.
The visitors also have a star-studded list of players who will not be involved at the Olimpico. In truth, Claudio Ranieri could field a whole XI and have a couple of subs to spare from his pool of injured players. Alex Manninger, Paolo De Ceglie, Giorgio Chiellini, Nicola Legrottaglie, Cristiano Zanetti, Jorge Andrade, Mauro Camoranesi, Momo Sissoko, Pavel Nedved, Albin Ekdal, Marco Marchionni, Amauri and David Trezeguet are either out or doubts.
Keep an eye on: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) – Two goals last week for Del Piero, just like Milan’s evergreen Pippo Inzaghi he never seems to age. His double took his Serie A total to nine, with 20 plus goals in each of the last two campaigns a late run of scoring form is just what he needs to boost his figures this term – and it would certainly help La Vecchia Signora keep the heat on Inter.
Last season: Roma 2-2 Juventus
Form guide: Roma (L W D D D) Juventus (D W W W W)
Both teams have absences, Roma with almost a completely depleted midfield and defense but at least we can count on Baptista to miss the easy chances.
I predict Iaquinta to start, seeing as Trez has his fued with Ranieri and Amauri injured.
