Serie A Preview: Juventus Seek Revenge Against SS Lazio

It’s time for the final round in the Italian top flight, as Juventus entertain SS Lazio. The Bianconeri have had difficulties plucking points of the Biancocelesti this season and have their final crack at a victory this Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

Last week, both teams broke their poor runs by recording long-awaited wins. While the capital club doesn’t have anything to play for, the Old Lady of Turin can finish the season in second place with a victory.

Juventus

After going seven consecutive games without recording a single win, the club shockingly sacked Claudio Ranieri with only two games remaining in the season.

As Ranieri stepped aside, former Juventus player Ciro Ferrara—who was previously in charge of the youth academy—was brought in as a temporary replacement.

Although Ferrara didn’t change the system, he managed to do what Ranieri had been failing to do for so long—motivate the players.

The new coach had a direct effect on the team that went on to thump Siena 3-0 as Alessandro Del Piero was reinstated back into the starting XI.

The captain thanked his former teammate by bagging a brace—one of which was a wonderful trademark free kick—and creating the third for Claudio Marchisio. After the game, Del Piero confessed that he and Ranieri hadn’t really seen eye to eye.

As a result of the win, Juventus moved level on points with AC Milan and bumped the Rossoneri down to third place because of their superior head to head record against Carlo Ancelotti’s men. A win against Lazio on Sunday would secure second place while also strengthening Ferrara’s bid to take over as manager next season.

Ranieri’s dismissal isn’t the only thing that has been stealing headlines lately. Werder Bremen’s Diego finalized his move to Turin in the past couple of days after lengthy negotiations. On top of that, the club has confirmed that Fabio Cannavaro is indeed returning to his former club in July.

On Sunday, Ferrara will have to make do without the services of the injured Albin Ekdal, Cristian Molinaro, and Zdenek Grygera. Although Mohamed Sissoko participated in training after his recovery, he’s set for place on the bench at best.

Probable starting XI (according to the Gazzetta): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Camoranesi, Zanetti, Marchisio, Nedved; Iaquinta, Del Piero.

SS Lazio

After the Coppa Italia triumph against Sampdoria, things have spiraled downwards for Delio Rossi’s men. The Biancocelesti went on a losing streak and were defeated in four consecutive games before they managed to buck the trend last week.

Just like their opponents, Lazio managed to put an end to their poor streak as they sent basement boys Reggina tumbling back down to Serie B. Mauro Zarate scored the only goal in the game, which proved enough to finally record a victory for Delio Rossi’s men in a match that was brought forward by Uefa due to the Champions League final.

Lazio are currently occupying 10th spot in the standings and have, through their Coppa Italia, win already secured a place in next season’s Europa League.

Although the Biancocelesti don’t have anything to play for in their final game, they have had an excellent record against Juventus this season, winning twice and drawing once in three encounters.

Another win could see them end the season on a high note—and provide a reason for president Claudio Lotito to keep the much pressured Rossi on the bench next season.

Mauro Zarate has been granted an early holiday and is unlikely to feature in Sunday’s high profile clash. On top of that, Emilson Cribari, Christian Manfredini, Simone Inzaghi, and Tomaso Rocchi are out with injuries, while Goran Pandev is set to sit out through suspension.

With so many players injured, Rossi may be forced to call up some Primavera players to fill the empty slots.

Probable starting XI (according to the Gazzetta): Carrizo; De Silvestri, Diakite, Rozenhal, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Foggia; Kozak, Mendicino