Coppa Italia final preview: Juventus vs Napoli

May 18, 2012
By: Matthew Clarke

Juventus are hoping to clinch domestic double after winning the Serie A in style, while Napoli are hoping to spoil the party and make amends for what was a pretty disappointing season.

The Bianconeri enter the game at Olimpico without any pressure, having already produced a major coup by beating Milan to Scudetto.

Antonio Conte’s side ended the league campaign without a single defeat and with a run of 9 wins in last 10 games, so they can be forgiven for feeling optimistic ahead of the clash with Napoli.

The Bianconeri will give their best to finish the season unbeaten and win another major trophy, and they are 2.10 (11/10) with Ladbrokes to win in regular time.

The hosts will be without Giorgio Chiellini and Paolo De Ceglie, while Marco Storari and Alessandro Del Piero are expected to start.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Storari – Bonucci, Barzagli, Caceres – Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giaccherini – Vucinic, Del Piero.

This is a must-win game for Napoli if they are to get something from this season and such a situation is likely to put an extra pressure on Walter Mazzarri’s side.

Having missed out on Champions League qualification, the Azzurri have got to try and make amends by winning the Coppa Italia title, but that is easier said than done with mighty Juventus on the other side.

Napoli have been far from impressive of late, especially on the travels and the game at Olimpico will feel like an away clash, with so many Juventus fans expected to arrive from all corners of the country.

Taking everything into consideration, the odds are stack firmly against them, but Napoli are 2.62 (13/8) with Paddy Power to produce an upset and lift the Coppa Italia trophy.

Walter Mazzarri is preparing a special plan to stop Juventus’ midfield trio, which is why he will use Marek Hamsik in centre midfield and Goran Pandev just behind lone striker Edinson Cavani.

The good news is Paolo Cannavaro has recovered from injury, but Walter Gargano misses out through suspension.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-1-1): De Sanctis – Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica – Maggio, Hamsik, Inler, Dzemaili, Dossena – Pandev – Cavani.

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