Lecce vs Juventus

[snakies]

Fabio Cannavaro expects Juventus to get back to winning ways against Lecce on Sunday afternoon.

The leaders lost their first game of the season to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, but the defender insists they’ll hit back at the Stadio Via Del Mare.

"We didn’t have the aggressiveness which we usually play with against Bayern," the stopper stated. "We just didn’t react to what was happening.

"However, I wouldn’t mind losing a game after winning nine in a row again. Losing now and again helps to recharge our competitiveness."

However, Juventus were not the only Italian club to struggle in the competition this week. Inter lost at Porto, while Milan and Udinese were held to home draws.

"We are playing a lot of games right now," defended Cannavaro. "Take next week for example, there is no international tie but a midweek League round instead."

The Old Lady will have the chance to equal their best ever start to a season by winning at the weekend, thus matching the eight triumphs from the 1985-86 campaign.

Cannavaro expects a difficult contest though, even if the southern minnows have been struggling.

"The Salentini have a new stimulus following their change in Coach," continued the former Parma and Inter man. "Yet we have no weaknesses and have cover in all positions."

[snakies]

Lecce - Juventus
Stadio Via Del Mare

Lecce will have to be at their best to overcome a Juventus side who are looking to make history. The Bianconeri, with a 100 per cent record in Serie A, are looking to equal their best ever start to a season when in 1985-86, Giovanni Trapattoni’s side won their first eight matches on their way to winning the Scudetto.

The Giallorossi currently sit just one point away from the relegation zone after losing five of their seven games so far. They will be hoping for a repeat of their performance in their last home tie, which saw them beat Cagliari 3-0 to record their only win of the season. They will also take heart from the fact that they have kept a clean sheet in two of their three home matches, but it will take another excellent performance from ‘keeper Vincenzo Sicignano to keep out the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Trezeguet and Alex Del Piero.

Juventus are sure to go into this game full of confidence despite their Champions League defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich on Tuesday. With seven wins out of seven, they have already built up a five point lead over second placed Milan.

The Bianconeri have won five of their seven games by a single goal, but have always looked comfortable while doing so. With such an abundance of talent up-front, the Old Lady are certainly capable of scoring more goals and Lecce will fear a huge backlash from the Turin giants after they suffered their first defeat since August in Germany.

But Juventus will once again have to do this without the injured Gianluigi Buffon, Jonathan Zebina and Alessandro Birindelli. Patrick Vieira will miss out as well and will be sorely missed after his great start to life in Serie A. Lecce will be missing a star player through long-term injury as Guillermo Giacomazzi is still out. While Gennaro Del Vecchio returns from suspension Alex Pinardi will take his place in the stands following his sending off against Reggina.

Lecce (probable): Sicignano; Cassetti, Diamoutene, Stovini, Abruzzese; Marianini, Ledesma; Konan, Valdes, Camorani; Vucinic

Juventus (probable): Abbiati; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Giannichedda, Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet

Ref: To folllow

[snakies]

Juventus may have lost their unbeaten record, but Fabio Capello is confident they’ll make it eight Serie A wins on the trot at Lecce and looks to Alex Del Piero.

“Our opponents have realised we’re not unbeatable, but to be honest we were always aware of that and kept our feet firmly on the ground,” noted the Coach after their 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich. “We have always analysed our defeats and must now boil it down so that we can learn from it and get back to winning ways.”

The Bianconeri had won their opening nine games between the domestic and European challenges, but are still on track to match the club record of winning the first eight Serie A fixtures. It’s a feat not achieved since Giovanni Trapattoni’s side in 1985-86.

However, with a midweek round coming up, he could be tempted to rotate the squad and give Zlatan Ibrahimovic a rest in favour of Del Piero.

“In these last few days I saw Del Piero on fine form and there could be space for him tomorrow, but we’ll only decide in the morning,” said a cagey Capello. The Juve captain was surprisingly left on the bench for Wednesday’s defeat in Germany and many claim it was an unwise decision.

“We only lost that game due to two unlucky incidents. Those who say we struggled because we didn’t start with Del Piero, or that Patrick Vieira was missing, are making pointless statements. We’ve done well without these players before.”

The Bianconeri are undoubtedly the favourites to earn victory at the Stadio Via del Mare on Sunday afternoon, as Lecce are finding it tough after the departure of Zdenek Zeman.

“This is a strong team and they have done well in recent games,” insisted the Juve boss. “This match will not be a foregone conclusion by any means.”

The injury crisis has been intensified by international duty and another row is brewing for France’s planned friendly tie with Martinique. As they are already qualified for the World Cup, the players have the option to reject a call-up.

“We also join in the protest of other club Coaches. This time we have the upper hand, as the rules speak clearly in our favour. It’s pointless talking about this now and we’ll avoid a battle, as we just want to find a reasonable solution for everyone.”


Juventus squad: 3 Chiellini, 6 Kovac, 7 Pessotto, 8 Emerson, 9 Ibrahimovic, 10 Del Piero, 11 Nedved, 12 Chimenti, 14 Balzaretti, 15 Criscito, 16 Camoranesi, 17 Trezeguet, 18 Mutu, 19 Zambrotta, 20 Blasi, 22 Bonnefoi, 23 Giannichedda, 25 Zalayeta, 26 Gladstone, 28 Cannavaro, 32 Abbiati

[snakies]

Lecce could lose Marco Cassetti for their clash with Juventus, but Vincenzo Sicignano assures he doesn’t fear facing the champions.

Italian international Cassetti (pictured) picked up a muscular problem during yesterday’s training session and remains a real doubt to take on the Bianconeri on Sunday afternoon. Alex Pinardi is also suspended, while Suleymane Diamoutene can start after recovering from a bruised left foot.

“If we start talking about Juve’s individual talents, then we could be here all day,” said goalkeeper Sicignano. “Then there’s the strength of the team as a collective and they are a real football tank. Even in that situation, and aware of the huge gap between us, you can never say never and Lecce can achieve something with the right approach.”

The shot-stopper, who received an international call-up for the World Cup qualifier with Moldova, has already experienced beating the Bianconeri.

“With Lecce I managed to earn a victory in Turin, so that was an extraordinary feeling,” he told the official club website. “In our other two meetings it was Juve who took the points. We have to face them with an attacking mentality, as you never step on to the field looking for a draw, I don’t care who it’s against. We respect Juventus, but we don’t fear them.”

The Salentini have struggled since Zdenek Zeman’s departure in the summer and have already fired Angelo Gregucci, bringing in replacement Silvio Baldini.

Juventus also hit problems this week, as their nine-match winning streak in all competitions came to an abrupt halt with a 2-1 Champions League loss away to Bayern Munich. Patrick Vieira missed that game due to injury and will also be absent at the Stadio Via del Mare.

[ASG]

thanx snakies what will we do without you

[snakies]

lol, i dunno. just tryin my best to keep the juve forums alive and all the juve fans happy

[SUPERAJAX]

KEEP YOUR ***KING HANDS OFF OUR PLAYERS!!!