Serie A Preview: Juventus – Messina
10/15/2005 9:59:00 AM
With the World Cup qualifiers over, attention once again returns to Serie A as Juventus prepare to host Messina. After some solid displays last season, Messina have struggled this season and now languish 3rd from bottom in the league.
BACKGROUND
With the exception of Chelsea, no team in Europe looks as untouchable as Juventus right now. The ‘Old Lady’ has a 100% record in both domestic and European competitions, notching 6 wins in Serie A and 2 in the Champions league. Much has been made of Juve striker Del Piero’s lack of playing time under Fabio Capello, prompting critics to right him off yet again. However Del Piero was decisive once again in Italy’s midweek qualifier making a huge impact former Juve boss decided to start the enigmatic striker. Critics have been suggesting the striker was past his best for some time now but Del Piero continues to prove them wrong. Juventus’ summer acquisitions have slotted into the squad perfectly and have helped the Bianconeri become a much stronger unit. Robert Kovac’s arrival at centre back gives Capello a viable alternative to Thuram and Cannavaro making the Juve squad even more formidable. With the squad at his disposal there is no reason why Capello’s Juventus cannot dominate domestic and European competitions this term.
Its seems hard to believe that Messina finished seventh last season as the Sicilian side now languish in the bottom three in Serie A. After a summer of turmoil Messina have failed to recover from the shock of nearly losing their Serie A status. After appeals and protests the club was reinstated into Italy’s top flight. With all thoughts of financial irregularities aside, the Sicilian side have not managed to push on from their impressive return to top flight football last season. Messina’s fortunes are a stark contrast room those of the other Sicilian side in Serie A, as Palermo continue their fairytale under Del Neri. Messina will need to rediscover the winning habit from last season if they are to remain in Serie A.
FORM GUIDE
Juventus: WWWWWW
The Turin side are currently on an impressive run that has seen them comfortably work their way up to the top of Serie A. There is currently no better side in the league and the ‘Old Lady’ will be in confident mood against Messina.
Messina: DDDLL
The Sicilian side need to start picking up victories if they are to move out of the relegation places. The Stadio Delle Alpi is not the ideal place to start looking for three points at the moment.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
Trezeguet does not make the starting line-up after an injury with the France national side. The striker is rated as fit enough to make the bench and will be replaced by the rejuvenated Del Piero. Buffon is still not fit and Abbiati keeps his place. Vieira misses out through injury and will be replaced by Giannichedda in midfield.
Messina
The Sicilian side are at full strength with former Juve owned striker Sculli leading the line against his old side. Another Juve old boy Zanchi makes the side after shaking off a dead leg in training.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Juventus
Del Piero showed that he is firing on all cylinders in mid week with a stunning performance for the Italian national side. When Del Piero finds this rich vein of form there are few players as graceful or deadly as him. Expect Alex to cause havoc in the Messina defence.
Messina
Sculli is a powerful centre forward that many feel has yet to reach his potential. It is clear that the striker has the ability to succeed in Serie A and now is the best time for the former Juve player to make his mark.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Juventus (4-4-2):
Abiatti - Blasi, Thuram, F.Cannavaro, Zambrotta - Camoranesi, Emerson, Giannichedda, Nedved - Del Piero, Ibrahimovic
Messina (4-4-2):
Storari - Zoro, Rezaei, Zanchi, Aronica - Coppola, Donati, Giampa, D’Agostino - Sculli, Zampagna.
PREDICTION
Juventus should easily cope with Messina despite injuries to Vieira and Trezeguet.
Juventus 3-0 Messina
Jamie Obertelli
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