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Serie A Preview: Fiorentina - Juventus
Alberto Zaccheroni will be looking to put the Bianconeri back to winning ways.
Mar 5, 2010 8:54:00 AM
By Mondal Subhankar
Kick Off: Saturday, March 6, 2010, 18:00 CET.
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence.
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence.
Catching Up
Fiorentina have looked good in recent times even though results have not been forthcoming. They were unlucky not to have come back from Munich with a draw with Bayern in the Champions League but then defeated Livorno 2-1 after coming from a goal down. The Viola led Milan 1-0 until the last ten minutes of their rearranged fixture but eventually went down 2-1. Last weekend they were held to a 1-1 draw by Lazio in Rome.
At the moment Fiorentina are 10th in the Serie A table with 35 points from 26 matches, six points behind sixth-placed Napoli. The Viola's away form has been erratic but at home they have been been quite good.
Cesare Prandelli's side have won seven out of 13 league games at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and although they have lost five of the remaining six, they will still be confident of beating Juventus. Moreover, this is what many suppose to be the real derby for Fiorentina fans with a historic rivalry between the two sides. Juventus lost last weekend in abysmal fashion and Fiorentina should be ready to take advantage of that.
Recovering From Maiden Defeat
Alberto Zaccheroni appeared to have steadied the Juventus ship until last weekend when the Bianconeri fell down 2-0 to a resurgent Palermo at home. That loss sucked Juventus out of the top four in Serie A and dragged them to fifth in the table with 41 points from 26 matches, a couple of points off Palermo, who are fourth.
That defeat to Palermo was also Juventus's first defeat under Zaccheroni but nevertheless the Bianconeri fans were so appalled that they set fire to a certain area of the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, like they had done when Juve went down 3-0 to Milan in January. It was an obvious show of frustration and anger by the Juve fans at the Juventus management and board, and the pressure is now on the players to perform.
Taking on rivals Fiorentina in such a crucial fixture is, therefore, not very convenient but a win in Florence will help temper many fans' mood. Although Juve haven't been very good on the roads in Serie A this campaign and played awfully last week, a victory by any means would be accepted.
FORM GUIDE
Fiorentina
February 27 v Lazio (A) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)
February 24 v Milan (H) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)
February 21 v Livorno (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)
February 17 v Bayern Munich (A) - LOST 2-1 (Champions League)
February 13 v Sampdoria (A) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A) Juventus
February 25 v Ajax (H) - DREW 0-0 (Europa League) TEAM NEWS Fiorentina Santana, Gamberini, Vargas and Natali are out while Pasqual, Marchionni, Gobbi and Felipe are struggling with injuries. Probable Lineup (4-3-2-1): Frey, Comotto, Felipe, Kroldrup, Pasqual; Zanetti, Montolivo, Donadel; Marchionni, Jovetic; Gilardino Juventus Poulsen, Buffon, Chimenti, Amauri, Camoranesi, Giovinco and Caceres are unavailable for the trip to Florence while Legrottaglie, Zebina and Diego are struggling with injuries. Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Manninger, Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Sissoko, Felipe Melo, Marchisio; Diego; Trezeguet, Del Piero PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina)
Diego (Juventus) The Brazilian trequartista had gone off boil during Juventus's miserable run of results under former coach Ciro Ferrara but he has now seemingly recovered his form and rhythm. Diego, placed at 109 in the Castrol Rankings, looked impressive against Ajax last week and although he is yet to perform at his best for Juve, he will be looking to raise his game against Fiorentina and make himself a hero among the Bianconeri faithful. PREDICTION This is a very tricky fixture to call and both sides should fancy themselves getting maximum points. However, Fiorentina have home advantage and they will not lose. Fiorentina 1-1 Juventus
February 28 v Palermo (H) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)
February 21 v Bologna (A) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)
February 18 v Ajax (A) - WON 2-1 (Europa League)
February 14 v Genoa (H) - WON 3-2 (Serie A)
The Italian international striker scored against his former club Milan and raised his goals tally in Serie A to 11 this season. Gilardino usually plays as the lone striker upfront for la Viola and he will play the same role on Saturday night and his movements will be a major concern for the Juventus defenders.
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