Old Lady With A Broken Hip

Yep, I know that is a horrible joke, because I am not a funny man. But Juventus are looking liked a wounded dog right now, with Alessio pointing out that they had no more then 13 first team players fully fit for the Napoli match that they lost 2-1. They have a huge list of injuries, which makes this preview so much easier for me, and they are in poor form at the moment. Not that it will matter, as this is a really big game and we need to be on our toes because Juve are looking for a big win.

Marca has made alot out of the fact that one of the more recent visits to turin we visited Turin was in the 02/03 season, and the loss knocked us out of the CL. It also signaled the end of the Del Bosque era (as well as loosing Hierro and Makelele and marginalizing Morientes, all mistakes), which effectively meant the Galatico plan was doomed for failure, as the carousel of coaches and new players destabilized the club. Now we return to the Delle Alpi a different club, and it is time to right the wrongs that the previous game set off. Come on Madridistas, we have alot at stake here!

Pep talk aside, Juventus should be respected. They are one of the greatest teams on to continent, and they still are a competitive squad even with the injuries. As of right now, 13 first team players a fit enough to take on Real. Wow, that is a pretty bad injury problem. Buffon, Camoranesi, Zanetti, Zebina, Legrottaglie, Iaquinta, Trezeguet, Melberg, Andrade and Poulsen are all injured for the match, although Poulsen may recover in time. Which means they are way short defensively and lacking any strikers on the bench. It just does not look good for them. Melberg, Iaquinta and Legrottaglie all face late fitness tests to see if they are available for the match.

Of course they do still posess some good players. There back-up keeper is Alex Manninger, who was an Arsenal man for years before he had some excellent seasons with Siena. Definately one of the better back-up keepers in Serie A, he is a big fellow and we will need to keep the shots hard and low so that he has to really stretch for them, because anything in the air he can get to. He did have a horrid time in Spain though, where he was released 7 weeks into the season. Giorgio Chiellini is still fit of course, so it is not like our strikers will slip through the defence untouched. The other center back is a bit of a mystery for me, Dario Knezevic. He is a Croatian international who was playing for bottom feeders Livorno last year, and he was signed on loan I believe.

Chiellini has looked a little off-form as of late, while I have never seen Knezevic play. It does not look like the most formidable tandem to go up against, but there is the possibility that Legrottaglie will be fit, dropping the Croat to the bencg. Legrottaglie is a much better center back in my opinion, so we will see. At left back they have a major weakness in Christian Molinaro, who is crap. Utter crap. And it isnt like they can replace him with anyone better, as they have the inexperienced Paolo De Ciglie as his backup. Left back is where they are weakest, so my hope is that Sergio Ramos is back to his barn-storming best after an indifferent display against Atletico.

Right back sees them improve, with the under-rated Zdenek Grygera filling in what is usually his spot, although he does face competition from Zebina from time to time. He will get forward on occassion and be effective, but he is a solid defender, and its to bad Robben cant put him through his paces, because that would be an interesting duel. Higuain or Raul will work hard to escape his shackles. Defensively I would say they are weaker then usual, but dont count out an Italian teams ability to keep it tight in the back. Molinaro will need to be exploited as a key to victory.

In midfield, they do not have as many injuries, but they are missing Poulsen now with a thigh strain, but Momo Sissoko will be in his place after serving a suspension over the weekend. Sissoko of course spent time with Auxerre, Valencia and Liverpool before moving to Juve at 22! He has played for 3 big European teams already, so you really cant say that he is a slouch. He will be roaving around, tackling and being a menace, while his midfield partner Claudio Marchisio will do more of the same, as he is not much of an offensive threat either. There is the option of Giovinco playing centrally and causing us a whole lot of trouble, while Nedved and Salizhamidzic have played centrally in their career before. Tiago is another option, but I dont see that happening.

The center of the park is a bit of a mystery, but I do think Ranieri will go with two DMs. Nedved and Salizhamidzic will probably be out wide then, with Marchioni and Giovinco on the bench. Also on the bench will be a few youth team players. Albin Ekdal, Sweedish prodigy made his first appearance for Juve over the weekend and he may feature again given all the injuries. Lorenzo Ariuado, a youth team center back, and Luca Castiglia, a youth team midfielder. Those three are more of a just in case of injury and also because there already have been so many, but they are decent players.

Striking options are also limited, so expect Amauri and Del Piero up front to start, with very little in terms of reinforcement of the bench. Del Piero we all know is a good player, but he is looking for form. Amauri is a big, over rated goon, but then again he has scored a few goals for Juve so far so maybe he was worth the hype…doubt it. Amauri wont give Pepe to much of a problem, while Canna should handle Del Piero pretty well, but I do expect one of them to score a goal, there is to much class there. If not one of them, then probably Nedved.

Real Madrid News:

Goalkeepers
Casillas, Dudek
Defenders
Pepe, Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo, Metzelder, Heinze
Midfielders
Gago, Sneijder, Drenthe, Robben, De la Red, Van der Vaart, Javi García
Forwards
Higuaín, Raúl, Van Nistelrooy

Guti and Diarra are out, but we managed without them against Atleti. So that means the same midfield will be used, atleast that is my hope. I dont like VdV without having Diarra behind him, it just scares me to think of Nedved running free from Gago because VdV is not gonna help out like Sneijder will. but then again, with the double DM Juve will play, stationing VdV behind the two DMs will definately help with the linking of midfield to attack. A tough tactical decision for Schuster.

Also, is Robben really fit? I have to believe no, so we may see the three striker system again, which is not the worst thing in the world. In order to get this out in a timely matter, thats all I have for Real. We should see an identical lineup to the Atletico game, and I think that we will win 2-1, with Higuain and Ruben scoring. Game is a 2:45 eastern time kick off as it is the Champions League, I dont think Steve will be able to do a live blog but we will see. I will handle the review on Thursday. HALA MADRID!

Canna Interview:
You played two seasons at Juventus (2004-06)…
This match will be different for me. I spent the best years of my career in Turin. I won two league titles there, although they eventually were taken away from us. I have an excellent relationship with the players and the fans, but I think the latter will boo me on Tuesday because I left the team when it was relegated. Nobody liked that, but I took the once in a lifetime chance of joining Real Madrid.

Will it be different to play a match like this with Real Madrid’s shirt?
No. You always feel the same tension and excitement in games like this.

Do you think Juventus’ fans were hurt by the relegation to the Second Division?
They’ve lived through two difficult years because it is very tough to play in the Second Division. They are proud of playing tomorrow’s match. I’m very happy because I’ll have the chance to see people with whom I spent two fantastic years.

Have you spoken to any of them?
I spoke with Chiellini, who hoped I’d be tired after the match with Atletico. I’ve also spoken with Buffon –who is injured- and Alessandro del Piero.

The match will take place at Comunale, not at Delle Alpi…
That’s right. The pitch at Stadio Comunale has improved a lot; it used to be awful. I think we will at least take one point, despite the fact that people will be more focused on booing me (laughs).

Real Madrid recently ended the streak of not winning away from home in the Champions League in a very long time…
We played spectacularly well in Saint Petersburg. We did well in the first half and showed we know how to suffer in the last 45 minutes. We showcased drive and passion, which are essential in this sport. I think we set the foundations to have a good performance in Turin tomorrow.

You have a two-point cushion over Juventus…
They can’t afford to make any more mistakes and we must end the match with at least one point. We are very motivated because Turin is a special place. We don’t travel to lose.

Would you like to experience this clash in future years as a Real Madrid player?
I feel great in Madrid. I have a great relationship with the fans and my team-mates, but it’s still too soon to think about that. I hope to speak with the Club at the end of the season.

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News

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