Serie A Preview: Juventus - Udinese

Kick-Off: Sunday Novermber 22, 20:00CET Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Italy

Juventus On The Up

With the international break over, it’s back to business as usual for Juventus. Udinese come to Turin in Sunday night’s posticipo and they will be eager to do the double on the Old Lady having already beaten them this calendar year.

It will be tough though as Ciro Ferrara’s men are on the up. They have closed the gap on Inter at the top to just five points, and if Jose Mourinho’s men stumble in Bologna on Saturday, Juve will be on the path to haul back their opponents in time for December’s crucial derby d’Italia.

Confidence is high at Vinovo. Those who were present for Thursday’s training session were visibly in good stead. Alessandro Del Piero trained regularly with the squad. He should make a much anticipated return. The club Bandiera has played just 10 minutes all season following an injury-blighted start and will be itching to get back to action.

Having beat Atalanta 5-2 away from home in week 12, Juve will be feeling this is a match they can win. However, Udinese have been tough opposition for the Old Lady in recent years. You have to go back to Sunday September 14 2008 to see the last time Juve beat Pasquale Marino’s men at home. That game ended 1-0 and Amauri was the scorer. The Brazilian should be back in contention. He will have plenty to prove following the recent debate over whether he should play for Italy.

Udinese Continue To Struggle

Udinese may have Serie A’s top scorer in Antonio Di Natale, but that’s where it ends in terms of being ranked high in the standings. Their league position doesn’t reflect a team who boast the most prolific hitman.

The problem has come from the back. They have conceded more goals (16) than they have tucked away (15), not the right formula when aiming for the European places. In addition, they have not won on the road all season, so it doesn’t look good heading to Turin to play a team that have lost just twice.

The last time Udinese won in Turin was in 2007. Juve had just been promoted from Serie B and it was their third game into the campaign. It was Antonio Di Natale’s strike in the second half that settled the discourse.

In 35 matches here, Udinese have only ever won just five, losing 26 and drawing four times. During those games, they have conceded 82 times, scoring 34. Prior to their win in 2007, the last victory recorded in Turin by the Fruilani was in 2000. To put it into context Carlo Ancelotti was Juve coach.

Having lost to Fiorentina in week 12, the Bianconeri will be keen to turn it around here.

Form Guide

Juventus

November 7 v Atalanta (A) - WON 5-2 (Serie A)

November 3 v Maccabi Haifa (A) - WON 1-0 (Champions League)

October 31 v Napoli (H) - LOST 3-2 (Serie A)

October 28 v Sampdoria (H) - WON 5-1 (Serie A)

October 25 v Siena (A) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

Udinese

November 8 v Fiorentina (H) – LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

November 1 v Chievo Verona (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

October 28 v Roma (H) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 25 v Palermo (A) – LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

October 18 v Atalanta (H) – LOST 3-1 (Serie A)

Team News

Vincenzo Iaquinta, Hasan Salihamidzic and Jonathan Zebina are injured. There are no suspensions for Ferrara to deal with. Juve played the youth team in a special training match on Thursday and they won 5-0. Del Piero scored a double. Amauri, Sebastian Giovinco and David Trezeguet scored the rest. Diego missed the game with a minor problem and he trained in the gym. However, he should be ok for the game baring any last minute surprises. The big question is whether Ferrara gambles and plays him alongside Del Piero. Claudio Marchisio, Mohammed Sissoko and Martin Caceres are also back from minor problems.

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

Udinese

Marino tested his charges with a friendly against Slovenian side Bela Krajina on Thursday which they won 2-1. Marino also tried out different schemes and tactics in that game to ensure his side are will prepared for Sunday. There are a number of injuries though. Giovanni Pasquale has a muscular problem, Alexis Sanchez, Simone Pepe, Christian Obodo, Antonio Floro Flores and Damiano Ferronetti are all out injured. Di Natale is suspended following his fourth yellow card of the season against Fiorentina. He was cautioned for taking his protest against the referee too far.

Probable Starting XI 4-3-3: Handanovic; Basta, Zapata, Coda, Lukovic; Inler, D’Agostino, Asamoah; Lodi, Corradi, Romero.

Players To Watch

Camoranesi (Juventus)

The Italian international is beginning to rediscover his best form this term and has been outstanding for both club and country over the last month or so. Juve’s unsung hero, and definitely one to look out for.

D’Agostino (Udinese)

This match has plenty of significance for the midfielder. He was close to joining Juventus in the summer before they signed Felipe Melo instead. He will orchestrate moves from the middle and can hurt the Old Lady if given a window of opportunity.

Prediction

Having no Di Natale is a serious handicap for Udinese which is why Juventus will win the game with ease. Too many regular players are missing for the visitors and thus the game should play out into Juve hands. Ferrara has Bordeaux in the Champions League to think about next week, and will want his players to send out a clear message.

Juventus 2-0 Udinese

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com