Juventus-Cagliari

By: Jeremy | January 30th, 2009

A quick turnaround after the midweeks ugly win against Siena will bring us to Turin to face a good but not overewhelming Juve side who stubbed their toe against Udinese in midweek allowing Inter to open up a six point gap at the top of Serie A.

This game has the chance to be a real entertaining match as it will be a night game with Juve feeling the pressure and Cagliari feeling like they can beat anyone anywhere. With Ranieri assuring supporters they will not let Inter out of their sights and Cagliari coming in as the on form team in Serie A, it will not be the automatic three points for Juve that most would expect.

Cagliari has gotten points in Turin recently but has not won a game there in 40 years. Could this be the game they end this streak? The good news is in the USA we can watch and find out on FSC on Saturday afternoon. Does Juves loss to Udinese midweek make them play better as it was a wake up call or was it the sign of a team ready to go through a rough patch after doing well recently to move toward the top.

I cant say I know much about Juve as I dont like to look at teams I hate. They have more talent then we do for sure and have players that I like. I like Del Piero, and Buffon, but beyond that it seems like they have they standard big names and talented youngsters who are always complaining about something whether its lack of recognition or playing time. Camorenesi is a great player but should miss this weekend which can only help us. If Trezeguet can return for more then a few minutes as a sub, then he should make a difference. I liked this team better when Platini was around.

Amauri, one of the more talented players in Serie A, scored the game winner in week three in what was a tough match, but a loss for us none the less. I still cant see Amauri in anything other then a Palermo uniform so seeing him is just another reason to hate Juve. There is no denying his talent and he is one of many players they have who on any given day can do things to win games singlehandedly.

Cagliari does not have Juves talent, but the momentum and recent performance by the club will make them think they can take points this weekend. Getting Marchetti back from suspension will help and he will certainly want to impress Buffon as he could easily be his replacement in the national squad in few years.Acquafresca has been tired but should start and play until we are out of the match or until he is spent. His presence always gives us a chance.

While he wont be involved in this weekends match, Cagliari quietly added Bellorussian midfielder Mikhail Sivakov in a transfer from Bellorussian Champ FC Bate. This guy just turned 21 and is supposed to be an up and coming midfielder in the mold of Pasquale Foggia. He even has Champions League experience from this year. Hes young but gives us some depth for the future. Dont rule him out for future games this year.

This is a tough game for Juve in the way Siena was for us midweek. They are expected to win, but too many factors could allow for a draw and maybe even an upset. While Cagliari has been great, with Juve at home, it would be too much to ask to get a win on the road against this team, especially with all of the big guns except Camorenesi available. The good news is that we can field our top lineup as well.

What Allegri has to do to mentally prepare the players is to remind them that all their hardwork and results against lesser clubs give you a chance to play and win meaningful games that put them in a position to be in Europe. This is that game so they must go all out and show Serie A that they are more then a mid table team on a bit of a good streak. With more attention that comes with a Saturday night game, and the fact we are actually playing for something besides survival, this is the teams chance.

While I think a draw would be a great result, objectively I am not ready to predict that, especially after such a midweek performance at home against Siena.
With Juves home record and their talent, they should eek out a win in a close but exciting game.

Prediction

Juventus 2-1 Cagliari