Parma vs. Juventus: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream and TV Info
In recent weeks, Juventus have taken some significant steps towards achieving the goals set for them in 2014-15, progressing in the Champions League and reaching the final of the Coppa Italia, but still maintaining their impressive 14-point lead over the rest of Serie A.
That cushion should allow them to rest some key players ahead of next week’s huge European encounter with AS Monaco, with the Bianconeri firmly believing they can overcome the Ligue 1 side to advance further still in the continent’s elite competition.
With that in mind, it is difficult to envisage what their mindset will be as they take to the field against relegation-threatened Parma on Saturday, a club whose major focus is currently solvency, rather than the glory of their mid-90s heyday. Indeed, with many of their players unpaid in over a year, it seems almost certain that Serie B football will return to the Stadio Tardini next season as they are currently rooted to the foot of the table.
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Yet, despite being eight points adrift from 19th place, Roberto Donadoni’s men have somehow embarked on an impressive mini-run of results, holding Inter to a stalemate last weekend before beating Udinese on Wednesday.
It remains to be seen if they can hold up that form against the reigning champions, however, as Juventus have already recorded two comfortable victories over the Ducali this term, handing them a 7-0 thrashing in Turin back in November.
Date: Saturday April 11, 2015
Time: 6 p.m. CET (5 p.m. BST / 12 p.m. EDT)
Venue: Stadio Tardini, Parma
TV Info: beINSports (U.S.)
Live Stream: beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.)
Form Lines
Last five domestic results:
Predicted Lineups
Parma (4-2-3-1): Mirante; Cassani, Mendes, Costa, Gobbi; Nocerino, Jorquera; Mauri, Varela, Belfodil; Coda
Key Battle
Given Parma’s lack of resources, perhaps the most intriguing battle here will come on the sidelines, as Roberto Donadoni and Massimiliano Allegri go head-to-head. The two coaches face very different tasks, though it could come down to who simply motivates their players better for this Serie A clash.
For Donadoni, he will be urging his men to show the same pride they displayed in taking four points from Inter and Udinese, with the Bianconeri a major scalp to aim for. Even if they would likely still be relegated at the end of the campaign, an unlikely win over Juventus would be a major accomplishment.
On the other side of that coin, Allegri’s challenge is to ensure his players are focused on this encounter rather than looking ahead to Tuesday and AS Monaco. A healthy amount of rotation should help him in that task, with a number of places in the XI to run out in the Champions League perhaps still to be decided.
Player to Watch
As sad as it is to admit, the key man here is likely to be Antonio Mirante against the Juventus attack. The 31-year-old goalkeeper—himself a product of the Turin club’s youth sector—is likely to be extremely busy no matter who lines up for the Bianconeri, as his defence has struggled all season long.
The Ducali have conceded 54 goals this term—the second worst record in the league behind Cagliari—yet Mirante remains a solid and reliable presence between the posts. He has kept just five clean sheets in 2014-15, although statistics from Fox Soccer surprisingly show that only eight players have made more saves.
Mirante will need to be at his best against the league’s most prolific attack, and with Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Morata, Fernando Llorente and Alessandro Matri all hungry for goals, his ability is likely to be severely tested.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Home win: 133/20
Away win: 10/27
Draw: 102/25
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