Serie A Preview: Juventus - Roma

Regaining Momentum

Back-to-back wins against Milan and Cesena have refurbished Juventus’ Scudetto aspirations, especially with the rest of the title contenders dropping points. But Luigi Del Neri’s side themselves were guilty of throwing away priceless points when they drew 1-1 with Brescia on the road on Wednesday evening.

However, the draw means that the former Italian champions are now unbeaten in Serie A since September 23, having gone seven league fixtures without defeat. The good run of results has propelled the Bianconeri to fifth in the league standings on 19 points from 11 matches, just a point behind Inter and four behind leaders Milan.

Winning against Roma even in Turin, however, is going to be tough as the Lupi themselves have recovered form. Furthermore, Juventus have lost at home in Serie A this term and although they have scored 15 goals at the Olimpico Grande Torino, they have also shipped in nine – a sign that Roma will be interested to explore.

Battling With Roman Spirit

Roma are fighting like Gladiators in the league at the moment as their hard-fought and narrow 3-2 victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpicio on Wednesday evening attested. It was Claudio Ranieri’s side’s fourth win in a row in all competitions and their fourth in five matches in Serie A.

The maximum points gained in Florence propelled the Lupi to sixth in the standings on 18 points from 11 matches, five points behind leaders Milan and just one behind Juventus. Besides keeping Roma’s slim Scudetto hopes alive, the win also helped them to sustain momentum and maintain their good run of results in recent times.

However, Roma have to improve much if they aim to win in Turin. The Giallorossi have won just one of their five league games away from home, scoring just four goals and conceding a whooping nine in the process. Captain and talisman Francesco Totti has rallied his team-mates to give their all on Saturday evening, defining the clash as “a fundamental game” for the season.

Juventus

Buffon, Krasic, Legrottaglie, Rinaudo, Grygera, De Ceglie, Martinez and Manninger are out injured for the Bianconeri, who will deploy a flat 4-4-2 formation that will see Iaquinta alongside Quagliarella in attack.

Roma

Juan, Okaka, Taddei, Pizarro and Perrotta are unavailable because of injuries for Claudio Ranieri’s side, who will start in a 4-3-1-2 system with Totti and Vucinic as the frontmen and Menez playing just behind them.