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Serie A Preview: Juventus - Reggina

What: Serie A Round 14
Who: Juventus - Reggina
When: Saturday November 29 2008, 20:30CET
Where: Stadio Olimpico Grande, Torino, Italia

Nov 28, 2008 12:48:14 PM

Juventus celebrates - Chievo-Juventus - Serie A (Grazia Neri)

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Juventus celebrates - Chievo-Juventus - Serie A (Grazia Neri)

Teams

Juventus Slowing Down

The Old Lady has begun to show signs of frailty during the last two games. Following seven successive wins in both Europe and Serie A, Juve failed to make it a perfect eight when they crumbled at San Siro last week. The Bianconeri were no match for their cousins as Inter ran the show. Sulley Alley Muntari's second half winner saw Juventus lose for the first time since their 2-1 week seven loss to Napoli at San Paolo.

The defeat to Inter was followed by a drab 0-0 draw against Zenit in the Champions League. It was a dead rubber game for Juve having already qualified for the next phase of the competition.

Nevertheless Claudio Ranieri's men showed the world that they are beginning to slow down, getting back into old habits and having to rely on Giorgio Chiellini to save face.

A six point gap between them and the champions, the game against Reggina will provide the Turin-based side with the perfect chance to make up for lost ground. Nicola Legrottaglie summed it up best earlier in the week when he said that Juve would make up for the Inter loss against the lesser teams.

Talk is cheap in football and the Tifosi will become increasingly frustrated if Legro's prediction fails to stand up. The problem lies up front. There was no creativity or incisiveness against the Nerazzurri or the UEFA Cup holders midweek. Amauri looked too static rather than live at San Siro, while Del Piero stumbled, perhaps the lack of rest being afforded to the captain is starting to catch up.

Sebastian Giovinco is still rotting away on the bench and that is unlikely to change against Reggina. The Bianconeri are favourites heading into the game and they will be hoping the two game drought up front will change. Amauri has only scored six goals in 13 Serie A games and, for someone who cost €24million, that will be regarded as not good enough at Vinovo.

Goals mean points and points mean prizes. Juve will need to beat Reggina if they are to keep in touch at the top of the table. A draw or even a loss could signal the end of their Scudetto race.

Reggina On The Up

The Amaranto have been struggling for most of the season but the game against Juventus could have come at a better time for Nevio Orlandi's side. Unlike their opponents on Saturday afternoon, Reggina will be heading into the game full of confidence having notched up their third win of the season last week. They beat Atalanta 3-1 at home to move within a point from the safety zone.

The rest of this term is likely to be a relegation dog fight but, the Calabrians are well aware that a win against the stumbling Old Lady could get them back out of the mire and towards an easier run over the course of the season.

The problem for Reggina has been at the back. Their defence is by no means water tight with 24 goals being shipped in 13 games, meaning they have the worst defensive record in the league. That shouldn't matter too much though as Juve have drawn blanks in their last two matches.

Amaranto have been unlucky against the big teams. They did so brilliantly to fight Inter and only a last gasp winner from Ivan Cordoba saw them throw away a point. In the last two weeks the club have got back to winning ways, surprisingly too. A fine 1-0 away to Udinese, and then the crucial game against Atalanta, who were favourites to win but a brace from former Manchester City flop Bernado Corradi as well as a strike from captain Francesco Cozza saw the Calabrians move closer towards the fine line between survival and relegation.

Corradi has scored as many as Juve's Amauri this term but he didn't cost as much as the Brazilian as he joined on a free deal. Although confidence is high, Reggina will be hoping to avoid the chaos and confusion of last season's 4-0 loss at the Olimpico.

Form Guide

Juventus

22/11 (Serie A): Inter - Juventus 0-1

13/11 (Serie A): Juventus - Genoa 4-1

09/11 (Serie A): Chievo Verona - Juventus 0-2

05/11 (CL): Real Madrid - Juventus 0-2

01/11 (Serie A): Juventus - Roma 2-0

Reggina

23/11 (Serie A): Reggina - Atalanta 3-1

16/11 (Serie A): Udinese - Reggina 0-1

09/11 (Serie A): Genoa - Reggina 4-0

01/11 (Serie A): Reggina - Inter 2-3

29/10 (Serie A): Napoli - Reggina 3-0

Team News

Juventus

The good news at Vinovo this week has been the return to training for both Gianluigi Buffon and David Trezeguet. Both players worked on light running exercises as they try and find a way back to full fitness. Cristiano Zanetti, Hasan Salihamidzic and Christian Poulsen all worked in the gym. Jorge Andrade, Jonathan Zebina and Tiago Mendes are all on the long term injury list. Del Piero is likely to start alongside Amauri up front while Mauro Camoranesi will begin on the right. Alex Manninger keeps his place in goal.

Probable Starting XI 4-4-2: Manninger, Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro, Camoranesi, Sissoko, Marchisio, Nedved, Del Piero, Amauri.

Reggina

Nevio Orlandi will not be able to rely Lanzaro, Giosa, Vigiani, Puggiani, Cascione and Valdez. Corradi, who scored a double last week is relegated to the bench to make room for Cozza who will be the lone ranger up front. No-one is suspended for Reggina.

Probable Starting XI 4-4-1-1: Campagnolo, Alvarez, Cirillo, Santos, Costa, Di Gennaro, Carmona, Barilla , Barreto, Brienza, Cozza.

Players To Watch

Juventus: Keep and eye on Claudio Marchisio in midfield. The Italian youngster has been outstanding in every game he has played. He can pick out a pass and his vision is brilliant. He also has a powerful shot on him too.

Reggina: Francesco Cozza will lead the charge against the Bianconeri. The talented captain is making a habit of scoring. His goal against Inter was outstanding last month and he will be looking to do the same against Juventus.

Prediction

Juventus will be looking to make up for their two slip ups while the Calabrians are aiming to make it three wins in as many games. Orlandi knows how to set his team up to make life hard for Ranieri.

The Old Lady should win hands down but don't be surprised if you see Reggina frustrate. Three points for the home side should be the norm.

Juventus 3-1 Reggina

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

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