What: Italian Serie A
Who: Juventus (7th; 41 points) vs AC Milan (1st; 58 points)
When: 5th March, 2011, 19:45 UK time
Where: Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Turin, Italy
Fighting For His Job
Juventus boss Luigi Delneri has had a tough fortnight, with his team’s campaign in danger of flying off the rails. And Delneri has also faced suggestions that he has lost the support of the dressing room. All in all, it makes this meeting with AC Milan the biggest of the season for Juventus.
Gianluigi Buffon and company have been forced to revise their targets for this campaign, having slipped down the table to seventh. Initially setting their sights on the title back in September, qualifying for next season’s Champions League is now the more realistic objective.
The Bianconeri still have much talent within the ranks, however. Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero, Giorgio Chiellini and Felipe Melo are all proven internationals, yet the Old Lady’s performances have been underwhelming for much of the season. In the meantime, Juventus have been surpassed by the likes of Udinese, Lazio and Roma.
Time may be running out for Juventus but Delneri, who has seen Marcello Lippi and Gianluca Vialli linked with his job, has remained refreshingly honest, admitting: “This season has been a year of tension and suffering. We are sorry. But I go forward [with Juventus] absolutely.”
Building Momentum for the Final Stretch
After seemingly viewing Serie A as a lower priority than the Champions League for parts of the past decade, AC Milan look poised to win their first league title since 2004. However, every point is vital with Inter and Napoli breathing down their necks and a nervy stretch of games ahead.
The disappointment of losing the first leg of their Champions League tie to Tottenham Hotspur has been cast aside and two solid league victories have reinforced the belief that the Rossoneri can last the pace in the title race, especially with Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic impressing and leading the team, scoring for fun and adding a raft of assists too. Suggestions that former fan favourite Kaka might return to the San Siro only added to recent optimism.
Massimilano Allegri’s troops will be taking nothing for granted, though, and striker Alexandre Pato sounded a warning against complacency, saying “There are still many games to play and the road is still long. Now we have to think about Juventus.” A win in Turin would be the perfect boost ahead of the uphill battle in the second leg against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, but also another further step towards a Scudetto win after the comprehensive 3-0 drubbing of Napoli on Monday.
Recent form
Juventus:
Juventus 1-0 Inter (13/02; Serie A)
Lecce 2-0 Juventus (20/02; Serie A)
Juventus 0-2 Bologna (26/02; Serie A)
AC Milan:
AC Milan 0-1 Tottenham (15/02; Champions League)
Chievo 1-2 AC Milan (20/02; Serie A)
AC Milan 3-0 Napoli (28/02; Serie A)
Key absences
Juventus: Mohamed Sissoko, Fabio Grosso, Simone Pepe, Alberto Aquilani, Hasan Salihamidzic
AC Milan: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (doubt), Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini
Players to Watch
Juventus – Felipe Melo: The Brazilian is an underrated performer in midfield for Juventus and will be vital in breaking up Milan’s attacks. Felipe Melo has had some difficult moments in the past 12 months, but his energy and knack for ball-winning could tip the game in Juventus’ favour. Gianluigi Buffon too will be worth watching as he attempts to keep out a Milan attack that has scored 49 goals thus far this season.
AC Milan – Alexandre Pato: With Zlatan Ibrahimovic doubtful due to a back injury, the stage is set for Alexandre Pato to spearhead the Milan attack. The Brazilian has seen a drop in playing time lately but continues to earn rave reviews throughout Serie A. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the 21-year-old should create chances against an underperforming Juventus backline. As always, Gennaro Gattuso’s combative spirit in midfield will be an extra spark for the Rossoneri, who are still missing the playmaking expertise of Andrea Pirlo.
Match Prediction
This game has major implications for both teams but for different reasons. Juventus need the points to turn around their recent woes and strengthen Delneri’s position at the helm while AC Milan will be well aware that the title race is far from over. However, while both sides would like a victory, neither want defeat and, with Juventus dealing with a growing injury list, a score draw looks the likeliest outcome when these two giants collide.
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