Roma vs Juventus preview

January 20, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Juventus vs RomaSerie A title rivals Roma and Juventus will battle it out for a place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, with the Giallorossi desperate to get revenge on the 3-0 league defeat in Turin.

Meanwhile, the Bianconeri aim to continue the amazing run of results that saw them win last 14 matches on domestic stage.

Having largely struggled over the last few years, Roma have done much better than anyone could predict this season, but Rudi Garcia and his men are all too aware they cannot afford to relax just yet.

Even if not too many people believe the Giallorossi can mount a serious title challenge, they are determined to put an extra pressure on Juventus, while making sure they achieve a top 3 finish and clinch Champions League qualification.

Successive triumphs over Sampdoria, Genoa and Livorno, achieved without conceding a single goal, have seriously improved the atmosphere in the squad since the aforementioned 3-0 defeat to Juventus.

And Roma are now keen to prove they can match arguably the strongest side in the league, with Rudi Garcia’s side 2.00 (1/1) to qualify for the semi-finals.

The French coach will not be making wholesale changes to the playing squad, but the likes of Totti, Maicon, Florenzi and Nainggolan are set to be recalled.

Federico Balzaretti remains on the sidelines, whereas Daniele De Rossi is doubtful through a toe injury and fever.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): De Sanctis – Maicon, Benatia, Castan, Dodo – Pjanic, Nainggolan, Strootman – Florenzi, Totti, Gervinho.

While they were pretty unfortunate to be eliminated from this year’s Champions League, Juventus have been absolutely brilliant on domestic stage and they are cruising towards third successive Serie A trophy.

Twelve straight league victories helped the Bianconeri create an eight-point cushion at the top of the standings, with 3-0 triumphs over title rivals Napoli and Roma proving they remain the team to beat.

And while Antonio Conte has used Coppa Italia to give some fringe players a chance to shine, his side hammered minnows Avelino in the last 16 stage to earn a clash with AS Roma.

The talented manager is again set to rotate his squad, but Juventus, nonetheless, remain 1.80 (4/5) favourites to make it to the semi-finals.

The Old Lady showed severe defensive weaknesses in the weekend’s triumph over Sampdoria, so they will certainly be looking to improve at the back, while staying ruthless up front.

Andrea Pirlo and Leandro Bonucci are set to return after they were rested at the weekend, whereas Fabio Quagliarella and Sebastian Giovinco are expected to start.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Storari – Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini – Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah – Quagliarella, Giovinco.

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