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Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus v Roma – Preview Apr 22, 2012 Juventus welcome Roma in Turin for an important match in both teams’ season. Juve are on top of the table and on course for the Scudetto, while Roma still have a chance to finish third and qualify for the Champions League. Team News Juventus Coach Antonio Conte is likely to play with a 4-3-3 formation, with Fabio Quagliarella likely to play in the center of the attack ahead of Alessandro Matri and Marco Borriello. The Bianconeri have no injuries or suspensions to contend with. Possible formation: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe, Quagliarella, Vucinic. Roma Daniele De Rossi is likely to play in central defence, with Gabriel Heinze alongside him and Simon Kjaer on the bench. Fernando Gago, Miralem Pjanic, and Marquinho will form the midfield, unless coach Luis Enrique decides to use De Rossi in his natural position. Defenders Nicolas Burdisso, Juan, and Marco Cassetti are all out injured, as well as goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont. Possible formation: Stekelenburg; Taddei, Heinze, De Rossi, Jose Angel; Pjanic, Gago, Marquinho; Totti; Bojan, Osvaldo. Team Analysis Juventus The Old Lady have been impressive throughout this season, and recently regained the top spot on the table after being overtaken by Milan for a while, with a strong run of results. They are also still unbeaten, and are currently on a run of five consecutive wins, which they obtained against the likes of Fiorentina, Inter, Napoli, Palermo and Lazio, with the 5-0 rout of the Viola away from home being the highlight. The Bianconeri hold a slim one-point advantage over Scudetto rivals Milan, although they also have the advantage of being ahead in the head-to-head, which would favour Juve if the teams finished level. The calendar would certainly seem to favour the Bianconeri as well, since they will be facing a number of teams on the lower end of the table, although they will certainly be hungry for points also. There are still six matches to go and it’s very much an open race for the Serie A title. Roma The Giallorossi have had a very rollercoaster-like season with many ups and downs, but they are still in contention for a Champions League spot. Coach Luis Enrique has had a turbulent first season at the club, and has always struggled to give the team consistency, even though they have often shown good football. Currently Roma are in fifth place, four points below third-placed Lazio, who seem to be the favourites to finish third at the moment. Inter and Napoli, both two points below Roma, are also still in contention for third place, although their chances seem a bit more slim. A good result here against a team that remains a fierce rival for the Giallorossi, would certainly give them a big boost ahead of the final part of the season as they continue their hunt for a Champions League place. Players to watch Mirko Vucinic (Juventus) The Montenegro striker moved from Roma to Juventus last summer, and has been something of a mixed bag. Although he has shown moments of genius, his inconsistency remains a problem, one he can’t seem to shake off. However, it’s likely a lot of eyes will be pointed at him in this match against his former side, so he’ll be motivated to do well. Francesco Totti (Roma) The legendary Roma captain has a good goalscoring record against Juventus, and usually delivers in these kinds of matches. This season has been a tough one for Totti, as he has sometimes been relegated to the bench by coach Luis Enrique, although that was mostly at the start of the season. Also, a total of five goals in Serie A is a disappointing return for ‘Er Pupone’. Prediction: Juventus-Roma 2-2 http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus v AS Roma: Preview Apr 22, 2012 Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has labelled tonight's game against European hopefuls Roma as the "most important" left in their season. The Turin giants go into the encounter in Turin unbeaten this campaign and riding a five-match winning streak. Their 2-1 triumph over Lazio last time out lifted Juventus to the top of the Serie A standings, one point clear of AC Milan with six games left to play. "We have to have the right approach to this game," Bonucci said. "We have to hand a similar performance to what we showed against Lazio. "This is like a final, it is the most important game out of the six we have left. "We must win at all costs. It depends on us." Juve, coached by Antonio Conte, are showing few signs of weakness. The Bianconeri have found the back of the net 14 times in their last five league games while they have given away just one goal in their last six. Rivals Roma have won just eight of their 48 league encounters at Juventus. The Eternal City giants travel north looking to climb further up in the Serie A table. The Giallorossi leapfrogged Napoli into fifth place with a 3-1 triumph over Udinese last time out. That result followed their 4-2 defeat at Lecce and allowed Roma to close the gap on third-placed city rivals Lazio to four points. The top three teams in Serie A qualify for Champions League football next season. "We want to finish third," Roma striker Fabio Borini said. "But our season will not depend on the game in Turin." Borini is set to play alongside Daniel Osvaldo in Roma's attack. Roma are hoping to recover goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who is doubtful with the flu. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi MATCH PREVIEW Apr 22, 2012 Juventus continue their Scudetto bid by welcoming in-form Roma to Turin, where Mirko Vucinic and Marco Borriello face their old teammates. The Bianconeri are just one point clear at the top of the table and know the title is ‘now in our hands’. With Milan breathing down their necks, a slip-up cannot be afforded, while the Giallorossi are also desperate for points in the race for Champions League qualification. Antonio Conte has a full squad to choose from and looks likely to pick former Roma star Vucinic with either Fabio Quagliarella or Alessandro Matri. The third point in the Juve trident is also familiar with the Giallorossi, as Simone Pepe grew up in their youth academy. Considering Conte’s usual approach, he should mirror Luis Enrique’s 4-3-3 system in his search for a sixth consecutive League win. Roma are a spectacularly inconsistent side, something their Spanish Coach has confessed to, as they can go from thrashing Novara and Udinese to falling 4-2 at relegation strugglers Lecce. Their away form is particularly poor, losing five of their last six games outside the Olimpico. Considering Juventus have only dropped Serie A points on five occasions in their new stadium, a strong bet would be on a home win. Francesco Totti has shaken off injury concerns, but Juan, Marco Cassetti, Bogdan Lobont and Nicolas Burdisso are still out of action. It is possible Daniele De Rossi will again be given a role in central defence, where he has shone of late, but another option is for Simon Kjaer to partner Gabriel Heinze. Marquinho is likely to get the nod in midfield after impressing recently. Keep an eye on: Mirko Vucinic (Juventus) – The Montenegrin will be particularly eager to prove a point against the club he fought so hard to leave last summer. The Roma fans never really liked Vucinic and he is finding a not too dissimilar situation in Turin, where his inconsistency can be incredibly frustrating. It must be impossible for him to lack motivation and drive in this match, though. Form Guide: Juventus (W W W W D) Roma (W L W L W) Last season: Juventus 1-1 Roma Stat fact: Juve have not won this Serie A fixture since a 2-0 result in November 2008, followed by a 2-1 defeat and last season’s 1-1 stalemate. They also met twice here in the Coppa Italia in January 2011 and 2012, picking up one victory each. The last time Roma kept a Serie A clean sheet here was in their 2-0 September 2001 win. Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe, Quagliarella, Vucinic Roma: Stekelenburg; Rosi, Kjaer, Heinze, Jose Angel; Pjanic, De Rossi, Marquinho; Lamela, Totti, Osvaldo http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Serie A Preview - Hosts aim to stay top of Serie A as club legends Del Piero and Totti meet again It may be the last time that the two World Cup winners meet as the Turin giants look to stay one step ahead of AC Milan and the visitors hope for Champions League qualification. Apr 22, 2012 PROBABLE LINE-UPS JUVENTUS Buffon Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio Pepe, Quagliarella, Vucinic ROMA Stekelenburg Rosi, Kjaer, De Rossi, Angel Pjanic, Gago, Marquinho Totti Osvaldo, Lamela Once again, Juventus coach Antonio Conte will have a full squad at his disposal with no suspensions or injuries to worry him. His main concern will be deciding between a 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 formation, with the latter looking more likely in order to more closely match up against the Giallorossi. The recent good form of centre-back Leonardo Bonucci could result in Giorgio Chiellini being pushed out to the left of the defence. Meanwhile, Fabio Quagliarella seems set to lead the line upfront, but Alessandro Matri and Marco Borriello are also in contention to start. Bianconeri talisman Alessandro Del Piero, set to leave the club at the end of the season, could face fellow Serie A icon Francesco Totti for the final time in his career. On the opposite side of the pitch, Roma boss Luis Enrique has been toying with the idea of using Daniele De Rossi in defence during recent training sessions, a tactic he utilised earlier in the season as injury-prone Nicolas Burdisso and Juan remain on the sidelines - meaning ex-Real Madrid man Fernando Gago would anchor the midfield. In-form Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is certain to start in attack as Erik Lamela and Fabio Borini, who could return from a leg muscle injury, vie for the remaining spot ahead of playmaker and captain Totti. DID YOU KNOW? • Juventus remain unbeaten in Serie A and have the best defence, conceding just 18 goals and only allowing one in their last six matches. • Conte's men are the team that has drawn the most times in the top flight this season, sharing the spoils a total of 14 times thus far. • Del Piero has bagged a total of 10 Serie A goals against the capital side in his career, his second-favourite target after Siena. • Roma have only been able to secure one victory in their last 13 Serie A encounters against Juventus. • Summer signing Osvaldo has four goals in his last five matches and a total of 11 in 23 appearances during the 2011-12 league campaign. • The Giallorossi have won just one of their last seven matches on the road in Serie A, a 1-0 victory against Palermo on March 10. Head to Head Coppa Italia ‎- Jan 24, 2012 - Juventus 3 - Roma 0 Serie A ‎- Dec 12, 2011 - Roma 1 - Juventus 1 Serie A ‎- Apr 3, 2011 - Roma 0 - Juventus 2 Coppa Italia ‎- Jan 27, 2011 - Juventus 0 - Roma 2 Serie A ‎- Nov 13, 2010 - Juventus 1 - Roma 1 Last Five Matches Juventus Apr 11, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Lazio 1 - Serie A Apr 7, 2012 - Palermo 0 - Juventus 2 - Serie A Apr 1, 2012 - Juventus 3 - SSC Napoli 0 - Serie A Mar 25, 2012 - Juventus 2 - FC Internazionale 0 - Serie A Mar 20, 2012 - Juventus 2 - AC Milan 2 - Coppa Italia Roma Apr 11, 2012 - Roma 3 - Udinese 1 - Serie A Apr 7, 2012 - Lecce 4 - Roma 2 - Serie A Apr 1, 2012 - Roma 5 - Novara 2 - Serie A Mar 24, 2012 - AC Milan 2 - Roma 1 - Serie A Mar 19, 2012 - Roma 1 - Genoa 0 - Serie A Players to Watch Fabio Quagliarella With his recent performances, the former Udinese and Napoli striker is reported to be back in contention for a spot in the Italy squad at Euro 2012 and will have a great chance to prove himself if chosen in the starting XI by coach Conte. Daniele De Rossi The Giallorossi's 'Captain Futuro' put in a man-of-the-match display last time these sides met in Serie A during a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico while playing at centre-back, Luis Enrique will be hoping for a performance of similar ilk from the 28-year-old in order to tame Andrea Pirlo and Co. Prediction Roma's away record (W5 D2 L9) leaves plenty to be desired and while they typically are fired up for clashes with Juventus and they arguably have the quality to challenge the hosts, they lack the organisation and discipline. Expect the Bianconeri to continue their good form as they attempt to win the Scudetto. Editor's Prediction Juventus 2 - 1 Roma http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Projects collide as Juventus meets Roma Apr 22, 2012 Change was in the air at both Vinovo and Trigoria last summer. Seeking a return to pre-Calciopoli heights, Juventus turned to former captain Antonio Conte, meanwhile some 500kms south and following years of financial uncertainty, American businessman Thomas Di Benedetto led the Roman revolution. As 2011-12 nears completion, two of Italian football’s most interesting constructions have straddled different paths but appear to be headed for brighter times. Their respective choices in playing stocks and on the bench were a careful consideration of philosophies and level of development. The Bianconeri – after beginning under Luigi Delneri - aimed for ready-made players capable of attaining their minimum goal of Champions League football, such as Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Mirko Vucinic. Starting from scratch, Roma’s hierarchy deliberately targeted the future with signings such as Erik Lamela, Jose Angel, Miralem Pjanic, Bojan Krkic and Fabio Borini. Also, if Juventus went for a familiar face in Conte, Roma went the opposite way by signing Barcelona B Coach Luis Enrique. The Lecce native built the team around the three-man midfield of Vidal, Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio. It shields a miserly defence - the best in Europe’s top five leagues, which concedes fewer than ten shots per match - whilst also contributing 13 goals. Juve’s average possession rate of 61.2 percent is Serie A’s highest and their 85 percent pass completion rate is equal-first alongside Roma. However, their 53 goals scored from a League high average of 19 shots per game is their weakest area. More than a system, Conte has instilled a winning mentality at Juventus, the same attitude he conveyed as a player, which to him is critical: “It’s while I was part of that Juventus (under Marcello Lippi) that I learned what it means to be a winner. Even now, the most important thing I do as a Coach is to transmit that knowledge to my players.” Gianluigi Buffon agrees, noting Juve’s secret this season has been Conte’s ambition. In Rome, the desire to duplicate the Spanish style initially manifested itself from two angles. Enrique’s favoured 4-3-3 formation differed from Luciano Spalletti’s fluent 4-2-3-1 and Claudio Ranieri’s 4-3-1-2. Its introduction, along with a number of new individuals, meant time was required to adjust. Their season start included four losses in the first ten matches. Enrique altered tactically, reverting to a recognisable 4-3-1-2 Roma could steadily grow from, whilst incorporating the Spaniard’s style. They only trail Juve in terms of possession, shots per match and short passes completed. Where last term only David Pizarro and Daniele De Rossi averaged over 50 passes a game and with John Arne Riise third on 42, eight players better Riise’s mark. It indicates a team comfortable in possession, akin to Spalletti’s Lupi. The second major alteration was the use of De Rossi. From the right of a midfield three he did not have a defined creative or defensive role. This has changed under Enrique as De Rossi is positioned ala Sergio Busquets at the midfield base. His primary job is to craft from deep and only fellow creators Pirlo (84) and Riccardo Montolivo (67) average more passes per match than De Rossi’s 66, plus he also assists by winning the ball back quickly – a key focus for Enrique – and sits in the top ten for interceptions in Serie A. Whilst Juve have remained undefeated and are first, erasing many of the issues which plagued their past two seasons, Roma have experienced a mixed campaign with 15 wins and 12 losses. That is one more than last term and doubles that of their Scudetto-pursuit in 2009-10. Defensively Roma look suspect considering their fifth place. They concede four more shots per match than Juve, complete the least amount of tackles in Serie A and their 42 goals conceded is the second highest of teams in the top half. Greater defensive cohesion is an area Roma must improve in order to challenge for honours. But as he stressed in August, “I don’t have a crystal ball and I’m not Harry Potter,” Enrique acknowledged it will take time to cultivate his ideas. Nonetheless, as he noted last week, Roma still can finish this campaign positively: “It’s true we’ve had some terrible results, but we must’ve done something right to stay up there fighting for the Champions League.” Conte meanwhile has almost steered Juve towards the Scudetto, but he too recognises they need strengthening in certain areas. And when Juventus and Roma meet at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday, it is another step along their exciting new paths. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Vucinic: 'Roma not like others' Apr 22, 2012 Mirko Vucinic admits tonight’s clash with his former Roma teammates is “not a game like any other” for the Juventus striker. The Montenegrin is expected to start in this evening’s Serie A match in Turin against the Giallorossi. “Time for Roma. Obviously, this is not a game like any other for me,” confessed Vucinic on his official Facebook page. “In order to continue dreaming, we cannot give up!” He left the Olimpico club in the summer and Juve are currently top of the table, while Roma are pushing for third place. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Conte: Scommessopoli allegations will not destabilise Juventus The Bianconeri boss reacted calmly to claims made by one of his former players that he was aware Siena's match with Novara last season was being influenced. Apr 21, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has remained tight-lipped over accusations made by former Siena midfielder Filippo Carobbio that he was once involved in Scommessopoli. The midfielder, who now plies his trade with Spezia, told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport on Saturday that the 43-year-old knew Siena's 2-2 draw with Novara last season was being rigged, a charge that, if proven, could carry a three-year prison sentence. However, at a press conference ahead of Juve's Serie A encounter with Roma on Sunday, Conte appeared to maintain his innocence in the betting scandal. "I have read the newspapers today, and in regards to the statements made by Carobbio, I have little to say. There is an ongoing investigation, but I am very calm," he said. To date I have not been called by anyone, but when they call me, I will have the pleasure of speaking to these people and answering their questions. "Will these attacks destabilise my team? Not a chance. If anything, they will have tripled our strength to achieve something monumental. It's part of the game, but they are things that can only increase our determination." Conte then turned his attention to the weekend clash with Roma and spoke of the responsibility he has of leading a winning team, but also had praise for his counterpart Luis Enrique. "It will be a tough game, and we will face a team in good shape," he continued. "Are we obliged to win? Always. Juve, Inter and AC Milan play only for victory. "Being only six matchdays away from the end of the season with the chance of achieving our dream [of lifting the Serie A title] is beautiful. It makes us proud and now it's time to give everything. "I hold great esteem and respect for Luis Enrique, he has always had the full support of his club and his fans. He has introduced a new mentality at Trigoria, and I'm sure it has been fully accepted by everyone." The former Italy midfielder also spoke about Alessandro Del Piero, who is set to leave Juve in the summer, and hinted he is still a useful asset to the club. "Alex is still looking great from a physical aspect, but he remains as concentrated as everyone else for the season finale and is hoping to take home a trophy," Conte concluded. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Round 34 (33): The Most Important Match of the Season? Apr 21, 2012 Everywhere you look, every paper you open, you see the storylines surrounding Sunday's match at Juventus Stadium. It is, of course, the first weekend of action since the calcio world lost Piermario Morosini. Might it be the last time we see two Legends, Totti and Del Piero, on the field together? It is the beginning of the final charge in the current campaign. That means, for our beloved Bianconeri, it is the beginning of the final push towards a third star accompanying those lovely Black and White stripes. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some football. Avanti! Out of the remaining six games, this is the one that would give Juventus the most trouble. It's at Juventus Stadium, sure. It's against a Roma team that has certainly had its share of ups and downs this season. But this is a Roma team that is fighting for the third and final Champions League spot. Take a look at Juventus' schedule after this game; the teams they play lie — as of this moment — 20th (Cesena), 19th (Novara), 18th (Lecce), 14th (Cagliari) and 10th (Atalanta). But forget the schedule, this is all a conspiracy because Max Allegri said so. Juve win this one and it's nothing but provincial sides from here on out. Sounds good to me. Le chiavi: Roma has had a Mirko Vucinic-ish kind of season. Sometimes they're very good, sometimes they're just kind of meh, and sometimes they're flat out bad. Their form is a clear reflection of that. They can play basically even with Milan one day and then get throttled by Lecce — yes, Lecce — just a few weeks later. That's just how its seemed to go for Roma as they continue to rebuild in a post-Sensi world. It's still a huge game regardless of what Roma shows up. We all know what the implications are and what happens win, lose, or draw. I'd love to see the so-so one show itself, but in this kind of game with both teams fighting for their own respective targets, sometimes form doesn't exactly matter. Good news: The unfortunate postponement of Round 33's games — which will be made up on next Tuesday/Wednesday — not only gave the team a well-deserved break, but also means no suspensions. Yes, everybody's available. I know I've said it for the past couple of weeks, but this time of year and to dealt with as few injuries as Juventus has, it's really amazing. Bad news: Look who's refereeing this one. My starting XI (4-3-3): San Gigi; Swiss Beats, Dre, Giorgione, Paolo De Kutcher; KIng Arthur, Jon Bon Pirlo, Principino; Pepinho, Mitra Matri, Vucinic Quagliabella There's a Vucinic missing. That's on purpose, people. I know we can't get away from him, but dammit I want to just for one game. It'd be nice not to yell at my television because of a Mirko turnover. But who knows. If the rumblings about Conte going with a 3-5-2 come out to be true, then I look completely stupid. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time — or last — that its happened. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Quagliarella in Juve-Roma squad Apr 21, 2012 Fabio Quagliarella is in the Juventus squad to face Roma on Sunday evening after Antonio Conte said he was in real doubt to feature. The striker had been widely tipped to start tomorrow evening, but Conte declared during the press conference that Quagliarella was suffering from an upper thigh problem. The former Napoli and Udinese forward is in the squad, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be fit to start or even for a place on the bench. Juventus squad: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Pepe, Marchisio, Del Piero, De Ceglie, Manninger, Vucinic, Barzagli, Quagliarella, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Vidal, Borriello, Giaccherini, Lichtsteiner, Estigarribia, Storari, Matri, Marrone. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Conte 'trebles' Juve-Roma efforts Apr 21, 2012 Antonio Conte trusts Sunday evening’s clash with Roma will be “tough and entertaining,” but reveals Fabio Quagliarella could miss out. Juventus need a victory to be sure of holding on to the Serie A leadership, as Milan welcome Bologna tomorrow afternoon. “It’s going to be a tough and entertaining game. We know we’re facing a side that is in good shape and can hurt anyone if in the right mood. We are ready to step on to the field, aware of our potential and good form,” said the Coach in his press conference. “If you work at Juve or Milan, then you are always obliged to win from the first game to the last. If you are at the end of the season with two teams so close in the table, it’s even more important not to slip up. We will certainly be highly motivated.” Quagliarella had been tipped to start the match, but Conte revealed he might not be able to feature at all. “He had a problem with his upper thigh and I’m not sure if he will even be there tomorrow. He could be left at home.” Roma are traditionally not a club with much patience, but they and the fans have stuck by Luis Enrique despite some very disappointing results. “He always had the total support of the club and the city. This is thanks to him, because he brought a new mentality that everyone at Roma married without hesitation. It is difficult to work at Roma, so the club did a great job protecting him in difficult moments. I really respect Luis Enrique.” Conte was in the headlines this week when reports emerged of his name being mentioned in the match-fixing investigation into his time at Siena. “I read about that, but there is an investigation and I have faith in the authorities. Nobody has called me to testify, but if that happens then I will be happy to respond to all questions. “Is it an attempt to destabilise Juve? If they try that, then they’ll find a brick wall. In fact, it would only increase our hunger and determination, trebling our desire to achieve something extraordinary. “It is a dream to be six rounds from the end of the season with the Scudetto and Coppa Italia within our grasp.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Borini ready for Juve-Roma Apr 21, 2012 Fabio Borini and Maarten Stekelenburg are in the Roma squad travelling to Turin, although it’s not clear if they are fit to face Juventus. Both players have missed training sessions this week and there are particular doubts over striker Borini’s ability to play tomorrow evening. Borini was not expected to be in the squad at all after interrupting Friday’s session with a left hip problem. Stekelenburg has now recovered from a bout of flu and is fit to start between the posts. Nicolas Burdisso, Juan, Bogdan Lobont and Marco Cassetti are all ruled out with injuries. Roma squad: Borini, Curci, De Rossi, Gago, Greco, Heinze, Kjaer, Bojan, Lamela, Marquinho, Osvaldo, Perrotta, Pigliacelli, Pjanic, Rosi, Simplicio, Stekelenburg, Taddei, Totti, Jose Angel http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus v AS Roma Preview: Del Piero v Totti, One Last Time? Juventus take on AS Roma in what will be one of the most crucial encounters as Serie A limps back to action after cancellation of all matches due to Piermario Morosini’s tragic death last week. Apr 21, 2012 Antonio Conte’s Juventus were in unstoppable form before the unexpected break in action and the Juventus gaffer will be hoping that his team keeps their focus intact. AS Roma’s form has not been in the same level although they have picked up some very important points in last two months. With Lazio, Udinese and Napoli being in suspect form right now, the Lupi have a more than decent chance of sneaking into UCL spots. Team News and Tactical Brief Juventus A wonderful run of form in past few rounds have seen Juventus overtake defending champions AC Milan in the table standings. With six games left to play, it is up to Conte’s men to maintain the lead till end of season. Juventus suffered a mini-crisis the last time their matches were re-scheduled and one of Conte’s biggest challenges will be to bring back the intensity and drive shown by Bianconeri players against Napoli or Palermo. The 3-5-2 has been overwhelmingly successful in last few matches for Juventus but Conte did change his formation back to a 4-3-3 at the very last moment against Lazio. His decision to change the formation was more down to Paolo De Ceglie’s last minute injury rather than a tactical one. However, Conte might stick to the 4-3-3 formation in order to counter Luis Enrque’s tactics in this match. Stefan Lichtsteiner played one of his best matches in the black and white shirt against AS Roma in first leg. The Swiss express is likely to wrestle the starting position away from Martin Caceres. A fit-again Paolo De Ceglie is likely to start on opposite wing with the reliable pairing of Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini starting in central defence. Juventus midfield triumvirate of Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal get picked on merit. Pirlo had another magical night against Lazio in last match as his beautiful floated assist to Simone Pepe opened the scoring for Juve. With 11 assists Pirlo is just one behind Fabrizio Miccoli in terms of most assists. However, no other player in Serie A comes close to his incredible record of completing 2252 passes out of attempted 2606 passes till now. Fabio Quagliarella has been enjoying a good run of form recently and could have easily score a goal against Lazio if not for Marchetti’s brilliant saves. The ex-Napoli striker is being rumoured to be on the verge of signing a new Juventus contract in coming weeks and should be looking to cap off his new contract with a few more goals. Simone Pepe is most likely to start on the right-wing with Montenegrin striker Mirko Vucinic. Ever since Alessandro Del Piero scored the all-important match winner against Lazio, news has been dominated by speculation about his Juventus contract. This will also be probably the last time when Del Piero squares off against Francesco Totti. Possible Starting XI(4-3-3): Buffon(GK); Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Marchisio, Vidal, Pirlo; Pepe, Quagliarella, Vucinic Possible lineups AS Roma Despite starting off with a stutter, Luis Enrique’s much-vaunted project at the Stadio Olimpico is looking towards a moderately successful finish. Roma has been pretty inconsistent in last two months but poorer form of other teams above them mean that the Giallorossi still have a good chance of clinching the third place. They are just four points behind third placed Lazio, though they have a daunting fixture list awaiting them. AS Roma’s last three matches have seen a lot of goals. They started with a 5-2 thrashing of basement boys Novara but surprisingly slumped to a 4-2 loss at relegation battlers Lecce. Roma bounced back in style and earned a 3-1 win over direct rivals Udinese with two late goals. The Romans are suffering from a defensive crisis which sees them desperately short of proper central defenders. Daniel De Rossi is likely to partner Kjaer in central defence. De Rossi is usually one of Roma’s best players whenever they face off against Juventus though his Scandinavian partner has had a largely forgettable season till date. The most intriguing battle will take place in midfield where the trio of Pjanic, Gago and Marquinho will clash against Juve’s M-V-P midfield. In terms of stats, Juventus and Roma are two of the best passing teams in the league and their respective midfields have a major role behind those stats. Like in many other matches, this match might very well be decided based on whoever takes control of center of the park. Francesco Totti missed a crucial penalty kick against Juventus in the first leg and will be looking to make amends for that costly miss. Totti’s return to the starting line-up has acted as a primary catalyst to Roma’s resurgence. The hero of eternal city scored a goal against Udinese and will be once against crucial to Enrique’s plans, playing as the trequartista behind strikers Fabio Borini and Osvaldo. Borini and Osvalo have notched up 20 goals together in Serie A with the Argentine making further contributions with 5 assists. It will be interesting to see how lethal the duo can be in front of the best defence in Serie A. Possible Starting XI(4-3-1-2): Stekelenburg(GK); Taddei, Kjaer, De Rossi, Jose Angel; Pjanic, Gago, Marquinho; Totti, Osvaldo, Borini. Key Match Facts Juventus (61.2%) and AS Roma (60%) are the top two teams in Serie A terms of average ball possession per match. The teams are tied at the top of Serie A with 85% pass completion rate. Roma has not drawn a match since 8th February, 2012 while Juventus have most drawn matches in Serie A TheHardTackle’s Players to Watch Out For Arturo Vidal (Juventus) Vidal’s costly error led to AS Roma taking an early lead in the first leg. Juventus never really recovered from that early set-back. The combative Chilean is in red hot form right now and will be looking to make up for that error. Francesco Totti (AS Roma) Totti’s career is filled with a number of stellar performances against Juventus. He would be looking to put his missed penalty in first half of the season and get back to scoring form against Juventus. This will probably be his last showdown with Del Piero, so he will have extra-motivation. TheHardTackle’s Prediction Juventus 1-0 AS Roma The tickets for this match were sold out in just 40 minutes, which shows how eager Juventus fans are for this match. This will be first time for AS Roma to play in the pressure cooker environment of Juventus Stadium. Roma will make life difficult for Juve but home advantage will be crucial in this match in the end. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Enrique 'surprised Juve unbeaten' Apr 21, 2012 Luis Enrique warns his Roma side that “you cannot make a mistake against Juventus,” but insists he won’t be content with a draw in Turin on Sunday night. The Giallorossi have a dismal away record and visit the unbeaten Serie A leaders tomorrow evening in a huge Serie A fixture. “The difference between the teams in the table is clear, but it will be an open game between two sides who know how to play football and know what they can do,” said the Spaniard. “I am surprised that Juventus are still unbeaten, as often big clubs have a drop in concentration levels against the smaller sides, but it hasn’t happened to them this season. “Antonio Conte is doing an extraordinary job. We will play our game, as we always do, trying to keep possession and score goals. It is exciting for us to play in Turin and try to end their run. “We are 100 per cent motivated and you cannot make a mistake against Juventus. Don’t forget we lost 3-0 in the Coppa Italia despite what I thought was a good performance. I doubt the Juventus Stadium will be a problem for us, as the word ‘fear’ must not exist in the football world. If anything, the atmosphere will give further motivation. “At the halfway stage of the season, I said Milan were the only team stronger than Roma, but today only Juve and Milan have done better than everyone else. We were inconsistent, which is why we’re far off the top of the table. We must work to get closer to their level.” It will probably be the final Serie A meeting between Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero, as the Juve captain’s contract expires this summer. “They are certainly two great champions and are still proving that,” continued Luis Enrique. “I praise both of them, although I am more interested in the group ethic to beat our opponents. If we make mistakes, then we will be punished.” Juan, Marco Cassetti, Bogdan Lobont and Nicolas Burdisso are injured, while Fabio Borini and Maarten Stekelenburg are at risk. It means Daniele De Rossi could again be used in central defence. “We have many games to play in quick succession to the end of the season and need a complete squad to get through them. De Rossi as defender is an option I could use. He remains in any case a midfielder, as that is his natural role.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Pjanic: 'Roma hope to end Juve record' Apr 21, 2012 Miralem Pjanic is looking forward to Sunday’s trip to Turin, as “Roma want to be the first to beat Juventus. It feels like a Champions League tie.” These two clubs have not really experienced Europe this season, as the Giallorossi went out in the Europa League preliminary round. “Roma want to be the first to beat Juventus this season,” smiled Pjanic on Sky Sport Italia. “As a kid I watched Juve because Zinedine Zidane played there and I’ve always liked this team. They’re having a great campaign and are difficult to face, as they are such a compact unit. They are back to the top level. “Third place is still possible for us, as there are six important games left and this with Juve is one of the best to play in. It feels like a Champions League tie. “They are fighting for the Scudetto, we are fighting for third, but we want to play a great game and hopefully end their unbeaten record. “I have learned more from Luis Enrique than any other Coach in my career. I am happy here and am concentrated on doing my best.” The media has also pointed out this will likely be the last time Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti get to face off in a Serie A match. “They are both great champions and won a World Cup together,” continued Pjanic. “It is a unique battle between two players who can always make the difference. It would be a shame not to see them together again, as all of world football would miss these two.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi "The Roma game will be an open affair" – Alessandro Matri The Juventus striker is eagerly awaiting what he believes will be a hotly-contested encounter at the Juventus Arena on Sunday. Apr 21, 2012 With only a handful of matches left to play in the Serie A this season Juventus have a one-point lead over second-placed AC Milan and are highly fancied to secure what would be a 28th Scudetto. La Vecchia Signora come into Sunday's mouthwatering fixture with Roma with five consecutive victories under their belt and will be hoping to make it six in a row to move within touching distance of the much sought after title. However, they must be on top of their game at all moments, because rivals Roma are hungrier than ever and on paper appear to have what it takes to end Juve's impressive 32-game unbeaten run. According to Alessandro Matri the clash with Roma will be a very difficult game, because both teams have much at stake. The 27-year-old, who believes that it will be an open game, stressed the importance for Juve to maintain total concentration throughout the entire ninety minutes to obtain the desired result. "The Roma game will be an open affair because both teams are fighting for an important target. We need to do well to make the most of the chances that come our way and play with maximum concentration, urged on by the great support our fans will certainly provide," affirmed Matri. Matri, whose ten goals for Juventus this season has made him the club's leading scorer, also expressed his joy for the moment which the Bianconeri are passing through. "At the start of the season it would have been difficult to imagine being top of the league with six games remaining and Coppa Italia finalists," he said. "As the months have gone by, we've become aware of our strength and desire to be where we are. We're currently at the decisive moment, we mustn't give up now, we want to aim to reach both targets and fulfill our dream." Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Roma at the Stadio Olimpico earlier on in the season, but they proved their superiority over the Romans with a crushing 3-0 victory in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals in January. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus looking to strip Milan of Serie A title and record Apr 21, 2012 Juventus are closing in on two prizes currently held by AC Milan as the Serie A race heads into a crucial and demanding period of the season. Following the postponement of last weekend’s games due to the death of Livorno’s Piermario Morosini, top flight teams now face a run of five games in two weeks. Not only are Juve defending a one-point lead at the top of the table over champions Milan but the Old Lady of Turin are also closing in on the rossoneri’s record unbeaten run. Back in the days of Fabio Capello, Milan went 42 games unbeaten over 11 months from April 1992 to March 1993. Juve’s current run stands at 37 games in league and cup, starting with the final match of last season. If they get through the next two weeks without a loss, they will match Milan’s marker while remaining unbeaten to the end of the league season would allow them to surpass their rivals. It has been a remarkable turnaround for a team that finished seventh in the previous two seasons and missed out on European competition in this campaign. More than the unbeaten record, Juve are aiming for a league and cup double and have a cup final to come against Napoli a week after the Serie A season ends. But the main prize is the scudetto and with six games left, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri says it will come down to a mental battle. “The team which keeps its nerve will win,” he said. Milan have a slight advantage in playing first this weekend, at home to lowly Bologna. Should they win, the pressure would be on Juve ahead of their meeting tomorrow against Roma. But while all teams have a difficult next two weeks coming up, Milan forward Maxi Lopez says the rest over the last seven days has done them the world of good. “We can’t let up at all, we managed to train well this week. Today’s match will be the first of six finals,” he said. A couple of weeks ago the general consensus was that Juve had the tougher run-in but they have won their two toughest assignments against Napoli and Lazio, meaning Milan now appear to face the greater pitfalls, including a derby with Inter Milan in their penultimate match. However, after the clash with Roma, Juve face the bottom three, which could be a difficult prospect against teams fighting for their lives, although both Cesena and Novara could be already relegated by the time they play the leaders. Cesena could go down this weekend if they lose at home to Palermo and Genoa get at least a point at home to Siena. If Novara lose at Napoli, they could also be relegated in midweek. That match is not just crucial to Novara’s future but also Napoli’s. They have lost their last three and failed to win in five leaving them six points behind Lazio in third, the final Champions League qualification position. That battle looks set to go down to the wire, in part because none of the teams in contention are in good form. Lazio have lost three of their last five while fourth-placed Udinese have lost three of their last six and have only one win in seven. Those two play next weekend in what could be a decisive encounter. This weekend Lazio host third-bottom Lecce while Udinese are at mid-table Chievo. The other two teams in with a chance are Inter, who travel to Fiorentina, and Roma, although like Napoli, both will need to string some wins together to overhaul Lazio. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Unbeaten run will count for nothing if we do not win Serie A, admits Marchisio After 32 rounds of action, the Bianconeri have yet to lose a game, but the title is the only thing that matters as far as the Italy international is concerned. Apr 20, 2012 Claudio Marchisio has admitted that Juventus will derive no joy out of going through the entire Serie A season undefeated if they do not win the Ser. With just six games to go, the Bianconeri are on the verge of becoming just the third Italian side to finish a league campaign unbeaten, after Perugia in 1978-79 and AC Milan in 1991-92. However, Marchisio admits that the only thing that matters as far as Antonio Conte's men are concerned is preserving their one-point lead over the current Rossoneri lineup. "It’s an even tussle with Milan," the midfielder mused during an interview with Sky Sport Italia "We’re unbeaten and this makes us proud, but maintaining that run is only nice if we have something to show for it at the end.” Marchisio is also aware that Juve's unblemished record could also be ruined by Champions League-chasing Roma this weekend. “Roma are an excellent team and they’re in a good run of form," the Italy international pointed out. "They have their ups and downs, but possess great champions and we’ll face them with total respect." The Old Lady's crunch clash with the Giallorossi kicks off at 20.45CET on Sunday. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Borini doubtful for Roma's trip to Juventus The Italy international picked up a minor knock in Friday's training session and his availability for this weekend's match in Turin is not certain. Apr 20, 2012 Roma striker Fabio Borini is a last-minute worry for coach Luis Enrique ahead of Sunday's Serie A game against Juventus, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. The 21-year-old left Friday's training session after just 15 minutes, complaining of pain in his lumbar region. He will undergo a series of tests on Saturday to determine whether he will be able to take part in the match against the Serie A leaders. Meanwhile, Maarten Stekelenburg has resumed full training after missing Thursday's session because of flu and is available for the encounter in Turin. Roma lie in fifth position in the Serie A table, 18 points behind Juventus. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

'Juventus will be like Real Madrid and Barcelona in two years' - Tacchinardi The retired midfielder stated that the Turin club will soon be on top of the football world and was full of praise for the work of the Bianconeri directors. Apr 20, 2012 Former Italy international Alessio Tacchinardi believes that Juventus will soon scale the same heights as Primera Division duo Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Bianconeri are currently one point clear at the top of the Serie A standings with six games remaining. They are also very close to securing a place in next season's Champions League after a two-year absence, and Tacchinardi says that the club will soon be back at the top. "General director Beppe Marotta and president Andrea Agnelli are making the difference, when compared to their predecessors," Tacchinardi, who played at Juve between 1994 and 2007, told Radio Mana Mana. "In two or three years, Juventus will be like Real Madrid and Barcelona. "Antonio Conte has managed the situation differently because he is now backed by everyone at the club." Juventus will host Roma on Sunday in their next Serie A fixture.

Padoin: We believe we can win the Scudetto The midfielder is confident that the Bianconeri have what it takes to stay ahead of rivals AC Milan for the remainder of the season and win the league title. Apr 20, 2012 Juventus midfielder Simone Padoin has stressed that the Old Lady are confident they can win the Serie A title this term. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri have a one-point lead over AC Milan in the league table, and Padoin has insisted that Juve want to win all their remaining games in order to secure their first Scudetto since 2002-03. "The Scudetto? We believe we can do it, there are six games left and we don’t want to put a foot wrong in the remainder of the season. We have the desire to win the title," Padoin stated to Juventus Channel. http://markting10.nl/ The 28-year-old Padoin joined Juventus from Atalanta in the winter transfer window and has since made four Serie A appearances for the league leaders.

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Borini a doubt for Juve Apr 20, 2012 Fabio Borini is a late fitness doubt to face Juventus this weekend, after picking up an injury in training for Roma. The 21-year-old forward was forced to pull out of Friday’s training session at Trigoria after just 15 minutes, complaining of a muscular problem with his right buttock. The injury will be assessed by doctors and a decision made soon as to whether he will be available or not to Luis Enrique for the journey north to Turin this weekend. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Marchisio: Unbeaten only good if… Apr 20, 2012 Claudio Marchisio admits that finishing the season unbeaten will mean nothing for Juventus if they don’t win the Scudetto. Currently a point ahead of title rivals Milan with six games to play, the Bianconeri face arguably their toughest remaining test this weekend with Roma’s visit to Turin. However, midfielder Marchisio is aware that more than the weekend matters for the club in a tight title race. “The Scudetto race is absolutely not over, we will remain focused until the end,” he told Sky Sport 24 on Friday. “Allegri says that whoever wins the title will be the team with the surest nerves, this is true, but it is not the only component. We must stay focused as we have proven to be up to this point. We’ll also need a little luck to get to the end. “We’ll need to be alert and show desire in every game, not just in Sunday’s clash. On paper we have easier games ahead of us after Roma, but we’re fully aware it’s not like that and we must always be at our maximum. It’s an even tussle with Milan. “We attach great importance to the unbeaten record, but it will mean nothing if we fail to win the Scudetto. At this point, we want it very strongly.” The midfielder was asked about the potential last meeting this weekend between Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero, and if he and Daniele De Rossi were ready to take their place as their team’s flag bearers. “The final showdown between Totti and Del Piero? They’ve gifted extraordinary moments to Italian football, both with the World Cup win in 2006 and throughout their careers as a whole. “They’ll have the desire to play a key role once again. “It is up to us to deserve this ‘handover’. Daniele has so much experience and is not only a great midfielder but also a good defender, as we see him playing that role recently. “He stopped me when I tried to break forward in the first meeting, fingers crossed he won’t be so successful come this Sunday evening.” Marchisio was also asked of comparisons between this Juventus side and previous versions of the team that have fought for the title. “Surely, the fact that in the past two seasons Juve have struggled and finished seventh twice and not played in the Champions League can have an impact on the perception of our great players. “However, Juve still retains its charm, has always had its appeal, more so now that we are getting such great results and it is easier to see these great players again at Juve. “This is an important team, whilst it is also clear that next year we will improve again when reinforced for future objectives.” The Italy international also had a word for former Under-21 teammate Piermario Morosini, who died last weekend. “I felt great sadness at the death of Piermario. I remember the two years I spent alongside him with the Under-21s, along with the youth team games against Atalanta, where he played alongside Marco Motta... “He was a wonderful guy, always relaxed and helpful.”

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Curci to face Juventus? Apr 20, 2012 Gianluca Curci is on stand-by ahead of the Juventus game after Marteen Stekelenburg was struck down by a virus. The goalkeeper missed training on Thursday and there are fears that he may not recover in time for Sunday’s showdown. The summer signing from Ajax has been a stable member of Luis Enrique’s side when fit so far this season. If the Dutch international doesn’t recover then the Spanish boss will have to turn to the former Italian Under-21 international. Back-up ‘keeper Bogdan Lobont is struggling with a knee injury, so the 26-year-old will be promoted from third-choice. Curci, a product of the club’s youth system, returned to the capital outfit in the summer after spells at Siena and Sampdoria. He hasn’t played a single minute of competitive football this season. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Borini: Del Piero is my idol Apr 20, 2012 Roma’s Fabio Borini has admitted a love for Alessandro Del Piero and Roberto Baggio ahead of Sunday’s game at Juventus. “Del Piero is my idol and I’m not saying that because we will be facing Juventus this weekend,” he told La Stampa. “I never remember Del Piero saying a word out of place, he’s the best you can get. Then there was also Baggio, Roberto Baggio.” Del Piero succeeded Baggio in the Juventus No 10 shirt in Turin. The 37-year-old, signed in 1993 from Padova, will leave the Turin giants in the summer. While leaders Juventus are going for the title, Roma are four points away from the last Champions League spot. “We want third, but our season won’t be decided in Turin,” continued the new Italian international. Borini, co-owned with Parma, has been a revelation in Serie A this term as the 21-year-old has scored nine goals in 19 League games. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 34 - 22-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juve-Roma almost a derby Apr 20, 2012 Juventus-Roma games are the closest thing you can get to a derby match between two teams from different cities, says Vincent Candela. “It’s not a derby, but it almost is,” the Frenchman, who spent eight years with the Giallorossi, told Radio Incontro ahead of Sunday's meeting. “It’s always been a really important game. And, at this point of the season, it’s a key tie for both clubs.” Leaders Juventus are aiming to keep their one point advantage over Milan, while the Giallorossi are targeting third and qualification for the Champions League. “Third will be hard for Roma,” the ex-full-back continued. “They might stand a chance if they beat Juve, but if they lose then I think it will be all over for them.” The inconsistent capital outfit are currently fifth in the standings, four points adrift of city rivals Lazio in the last European Cup spot. “Roma are just missing two or three champions to become a great side again,” added Candela. “They would complete that squad with such players.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/