Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.)
-
Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena
Referee: Marco Guida
Serie A Preview - Rampant Serie A leaders aim for seventh league
win in a row agaisnt relegation-bound hosts
The Seahorses could become the first club to drop out to the second tier in 2011-12,
as the Old Lady look to keep up their powerful march towards the Scudetto ahead of AC Milan.
Apr 24, 2012
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
CESENA
Antonioli
Comotto, Moras, Rodriguez, Lauro
Guana, Arrigoni, Parolo
Santana
Malonga, Mutu
JUVENTUS
Buffon
Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini
Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie
Matri, Vucinic
Cesena could finally be mathematically relegated to Serie B on Wednesday, a possibility the club have been facing for some time due to their poor form this season as they sit 14 points from safety with five matches left, going into this fixture against Juventus.
Coach Mario Beretta will have to do without the services of suspended centre-back Steve Von Bergen, who will be replaced by Guillermo Rodriguez. Midfielder Marco Paolo, one of their stars last season, is expected to start after featuring as a substitute during the 2-2 draw with Palermo. Playmakers Jorge Martinez and Martinho are sidelined through injury, as well as Czech defender Daniel Pudil.
Former Juventus player Adrian Mutu will once again provide the bulk of the firepower up front, but Vincenzo Iaquinta, currently on loan at Cesena from the Turin side, will have to settle for a place on the bench.
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte's men are in a rich vein of form and will be boosted by their 4-0 win over Roma on Sunday that saw them extend their lead at the top of Serie A to three points over rivals AC Milan.
They have relatively few worries, with Fabio Quagliarella the only absentee due to suspension. Alessandro Matri is expected to take his place in attack alongside Mirko Vucinic as the in-form trio of Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo, and Claudio Marchisio continue at the heart of midfield.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Cesena have not been able to defeat Juventus for 24 years - last earning a 2-0 victory in November 1987.
• The Seahorses could become the first team to be mathematically relegated to Serie B this term if they lose or draw, or even if they win depending on other results.
• The hosts have scored the fewest goals in the league this season (21).
• Juventus defeated Cesena 2-0 back in their last meeting on December 4, 2011.
• Conte's men now have a three-point lead over AC Milan at the top of the Serie A table with five games remaining after their 4-0 win over Roma on Sunday.
•The Bianconeri have conceded just one goal in their last seven top flight fixtures. That began with a 0-0 draw versus Genoa followed by six successive victories.
Head to Head
Serie A - Dec 4, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Cesena 0
Serie A - Mar 12, 2011 - Cesena 2 - Juventus 2
Serie A - Nov 7, 2010 - Juventus 3 - Cesena 1
Serie B - May 6, 2007 - Cesena 2 - Juventus 2
Serie B - Jan 16, 2007 - Juventus 2 - Cesena 1
Last Five Matches
Cesena
Apr 22, 2012 - Cesena 2 - Palermo 2 - Serie A
Apr 11, 2012 - Genoa 1 - Cesena 1 - Serie A
Apr 7, 2012 - Cesena 0 - Bologna 0 - Serie A
Apr 1, 2012 - Lecce 0 - Cesena 0 - Serie A
Mar 25, 2012 - Cesena 2 - Parma 2 - Serie A
Juventus
Apr 22, 2012 - Juventus 4 - Roma 0 - Serie A
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
Players to Watch
Mario Alberto Santana
The attacking midfielder was arguably his side's best player during the draw with Palermo on the weekend and scored a wonderful solo-goal - Cesena will need similar moments of inspiration to have any chance of beating goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and his defenders.
Arturo Vidal Pardo
The summer signing has struck an effective and spectacular understanding with Pirlo and Marchisio in the centre of the pitch and has also found his shooting boots of late, scoring four times in his last six appearances. His performances are a major reason the Bianconeri are on course for the Serie A title.
Prediction
Cesena have not won in Serie A since January and their slide shows no real signs of stopping and it's only a matter of time before their drop to Serie B is confirmed. Meanwhile, Juventus are on a brilliant run and the hosts simply will not be able to stand up to Conte's side. It should be a routine victory for the visitors.
Editor's Prediction
Cesena 0 - 2 Juventus
http://www.soccerway...regular-season/
