Serie A: AS Roma vs. Juventus FC – Preview
AS Roma left out of the top runners
The Giallorossi were the runner-ups in the Serie A last season. The capital club accumulated a mighty 80 points, just 2 points adrift the eventual Champions Inter Milan. Roma also lost the Coppa Italia final last season to the same opposition. La Maggica
ended the season with hopes to re-live the ongoing form in the upcoming season.
The 2010/11 season, after a rather shrewd transfer campaign, started with high hopes, but Roma have failed to keep pace with the top runners in Serie A. I Lupi are placed sixth in the league and run the risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League entirely.
The wolves have accumulated 50 points, 4 points adrift the 5th placed SS Lazio. Roma have been a consistent performer at home turf, winning 9 of the 14 games played at home.
The Giallorossi are the hosts for the upcoming fixture against a struggling Juventus FC. Roma are a stern opposition at Stadio Olimpico and they will to looking forward to a win at home against the Old Lady.
Juventus FC hunting a Europa League berth
Juventus finished 7th at the end of 2009/10 season with 55 points, 4 points adrift the emerging Italian outfit, SSC Napoli. A side so rich in history and tradition had to stay content with yet another disappointing campaign. La Vecchia Signora
entered the ongoing season in hope that UEFA Champions League would return to Turin.
The ongoing season portrays a carbon copy of last season’ struggles. Juve are stuck in the 7th spot, tracking AS Roma who themselves are desperately looking for victories. Juve have been average performers on both home and away venues.
Where the first half of the season was a relative success, Juve have completely los the plot in the second half of the season. The Bianconeri have lost 7 of 13 matches following the winter break, winning 5 encounters while the remaining 2 games failed to
produce a winner. In the last 5 away games, the Lady Killers have registered a solitary triumph, while lost and equalized two games each.
Juventus visit the fortress that is Stadio Olimpico this Saturday. The clash is expected to be an open affair with chances coming in numbers to both sides. Juventus’ big game caliber will be severely tested as Roma have been outstanding at home this season.
Team News
AS Roma
Julio Sergio will miss the clash due to injury, while Marco Cassetti is unlikely to play for the outfit.
Marco Borriello (10 goals) and Francesco Totti (9 goals, 6 assists) will be the players to watch out for the home team.
Juventus FC
The Old Lady will have to make it without the services of Giorgio Chiellini, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Mohamed Sissoko, Fabio Quagliarella, Paolo De Ceglie and Leandro Rinaudo, as the aforementioned players are out injured. Alessandro Del Piero, Armand Traore and
Jorge Martinez are also unlikely to be available for this clash, while Frederik Sorensen, Felipe Melo and Manuel Giandonato are expected to return to the outfit.
Milos Krasic (5 goals, 6 assists), Alessandro Matri (5 goals) and Claudio Marchisio (4 goals, 4 assists) will play a vital role for the Old Lady.
Prediction
Both the outfits are looking forward for a Europa League berth and will try to put up a good show. Roma are a strong side when played at home but Juve’s big game pedigree will come to their rescue. The game will end in a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes of enthralling
action.