Serie A Preview: Lazio - Juventus

Fireworks are expected when these two clash as they attempt to keep their 100 per cent start records intact...

Sep 10, 2009 10:44:41 PM

More On :  Juventus, Lazio, Lazio vs Juventus
Zarate-Diego medley - Lazio-Juventus (Grazia Neri)
Kick Off: Saturday September 12, 20:30CET,
Stadio Olimpico, Rome.

Lazio's Great Start

Davide Ballardini has got his career with Lazio off to a flying start, following two wins in as many games. A 1-0 win over Atalanta was followed up with a 2-1 away victory against tricky Chievo Verona in week two and this has served as a statement of intent.
Don't Miss

Fiery president Claudio Lotito demanded a positive start to the campaign, and his coach and players have delivered. However, they now welcome in-form Juventus to the Olimpico for Saturday night's anticipo, and they will want to pass their biggest test of the season thus far.

The Biancocelesti boast a good record against the Bianconeri at home. In 65 games in Rome, Lazio have won 24, lost 24 and drawn 17. However, the Aquile have not beaten Juventus in almost six years. You have to go back to December 6, 2003 for their last win at home. It's a long time ago, Marcello Lippi was at the helm for Juve, while it was Bernado Corradi and former fans favourite Stefano Fiore who downed the opposition. Fiore now plays for Cosenza in the lower leagues. Last season, this fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, thanks to goals from Christian Ledesma and former Old Lady defender Olof Mellberg.

Ballardini has some concerns heading into the game though. Mauro Zarate's appearance is subject to a late fitness test prior to the game, while Italian hitman Tommaso Rocchi, who has a habit of scoring against Juventus, is unlikely to feature. It's good news for Lazio as Julio Cruz, who has scored nine goals against Juve in official Serie A matches, is likely to take his place. The Aquile are flying high this term, and they will be eager to keep their 100 percent record intact.


Forza Lazio: Curva Nord Ultras will roar their side on

Juventus' Deja Vu

Ciro Ferrara will be taking his squad to Rome for their second consecutive match there. The Old Lady beast Roma 3-1 in week two, just before the international break, to keep two points ahead of bitter Scudetto rivals Inter. With the Nerazzurri playing host to Parma, the heat will be on to perform in the same way they did here 13 days ago.

Although the players may feel a sense of deja vu when they walk out of the Olimpico tunnel, they will be well aware that Lazio are not in the same less-than-perfect form as Roma. Ferrara is keen to continue his good start, and will be relying on Brazilian ace Diego to pull the strings like he did against the Lupi. Furthermore, the coach is feeling a sense of relief as his ItalJuve stars are back from international duty without any major injury concerns.

Juventus' record against Lazio at the Olimpico is good in Serie A as they boast a six year unbeaten statistic there. Their league win ratio in Rome is 36.92 percent having won 24 of 65 games there. Interestingly, the Old Lady has scored 87 and conceded just as many on their travels against this week's opponents. Though they did lose here in last season's Coppa Italia semi-final. Mauro Zarate and Aleksandar Kolarov scored for their side, while Alessandro Del Piero replied. The Juventus captain is unlikely to feature for his side, however, as he is still carrying a knock.

Form guide

Lazio

30 August v Chievo Verona (A) - WON 1-2 (SERIE A)

27 August v Elfsborg (A) - LOST 1-0 (EUROPA LEAGUE)

23 August v Atalanta (H) - WON 1-0 (SERIE A)

20 August v Elfsborg (H) - WON 3-0 (EUROPA LEAGUE)

13 August v Osasuna (H) - WON 5-4 (SKY TROPHY)

Juventus

August 30 v Roma (A) - WON (SERIE A)

August 23 v Chievo Verona (H) - WON 1-0 (SERIE A)

August 17 v Milan (A) - WON 1-1 (BERLUSCONI TROPHY)

August 14 v Inter (A) - DREW 1-1 (TIM TROPHY)

August 14 v Milan (A)- WON 2-0 (TIM TROPHY)

Team News

Lazio

The race against time is on and the clock is ticking fast for Zarate who is in doubt for the game. A medical examination showed the injury to his right leg is not serious and there is hope he will be ready for selection. If Zarate fails to make it, Ballardini is likely to push left-winger Pasquale Foggia further forward to partner Julio Cruz. Simone Inzaghi, Stephen Makinwa, Sebastiano Siviglia and Cristian Brocchi are all injured, while Sanchez Cribari is suspended.

Probable Starting XI 4-3-1-2: Muslera; Lichsteiner, Diakite, Radu, Kolarov; Dabo, Baronio, Mauri; Matuzalem; Cruz, Zarate.

Juventus

Mohamed Sissoko has returned to training action after recovering from his foot surgery, but he will not travel to Rome. Felipe Melo and Martin Caceres trained aside from the team on Thursday, but both will be in contention for the Lazio clash. Jonathan Zebina is also available after recovering from a knock to his ankle. Del Piero is likely to miss the trip south, but there could be a debut for Fabio Grosso.

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

Players To Watch

Julio Cruz, Lazio

The Aquilotti hitman started and scored a double against Chievo in week two and with injuries affecting Rocchi and Zarate, he could start against Juve. The former Inter man likes scoring against the Old Lady, and he will be the dangerman for his side. Buffon is likely to be kept busy if Cruz is switched on.

Diego, Juventus

The Brazilian is beginning to pay back the €25million fee Juve paid for him, though many will argue he already has following two wonder goals against Roma last time out. All eyes will be on the number 28, and Lazio will need to be wide awake if they are to stop him from doing some damage.

Prediction

With both teams in such good form, it's hard to pick a winner. The quality in Juve's side is arguably higher, but Lazio have the home advantage. However, the Bianconeri will take maximum points this time, albeit via a narrow margin.

Lazio 1-2 Juventus.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com
Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
53 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Capello remains one of the greats of the game Capello remains one of the greats of the game

    After tasting success wherever he had gone previously, the coach will look upon his time at Wembley as an incomplete job rather than a complete failure

  2. Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback? Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback?

    The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra

  3. Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool

    The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions

  4. The importance of Champions League qualification The importance of Champions League qualification

    The Ruhr side's remarkable run in Europe's elite tournament saw their revenue unexpectedly soar last season, but some teams are structured to depend on such results to survive

  5. Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round

    Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...

 
Advertisement
Advertisement