Monday 12th December 2011, 7.45pm GMT (live on ESPN)
Roma’s struggles so far this season have been well documented. They were at a disadvantage ahead of last week’s game against Fiorentina thanks to the stupidity of striker Pablo Osvaldo, and the Giallorossi have shot themselves in the foot once again ahead of this one.
Midfielder Fernando Gago, defender Juan and striker Bojan Kirkic, who were all sent off at Fiorentina, will be unavailable for this game due to suspension. Pablo Osvaldo returns up front, but defenders Simon Kjaer and Nicolas Burdisso are also expected to miss out through injury. Juventus have no suspension worries, and Andrea Pirlo – who missed Juve’s last game against Cesena – will return to strengthen the visitors’ midfield. Former Roma striker Marco Vucinic is likely to miss this clash with his old club however, as he suffered a thigh injury in the Cesena game.
Time may be running out for Roma coach Luis Enrique. A sizeable section of the travelling Roma support last Sunday demanded that Enrique be removed from his duties after the game. In a press conference after the same match, the coach himself indicated that he will walk away if he feels that he has lost the support of his players. The Spaniard’s puzzling decision not to field fit-again captain Francesco Totti (despite the absence of Osvaldo) certainly won’t have won him any friends in the Curva Sud. There are also rumours that out-of-work Carlo Ancelotti has held talks with the club, in a week when midfielder Danielle De Rossi has said it would be “a miracle” if Roma finished in the top three and qualified for next season’s Champions League.
 |
| Conte: attempting to bring the glory days back at Juventus |
Antonio Conte’s fortunes so far in his first season as Juventus coach have been in contrast to those of Enrique at Roma. Conte’s men top the table on 29 points, and they have yet to be beaten after 13 games. New signings Pirlo, Stefan Lichtsteiner and Arturo Vidal have added much-needed steel to the Bianconeri, while Claudio Marchisio and Alessandro Matri have been finding the back of the net frequently.
Juventus were deserving winners over Lazio at this same stadium two weeks ago, and this weakened Roma side won’t provide as strong a test for the Old Lady. Considering the fragile nature of Enrique’s position, and the players he will be missing, I expect the visitors’ aggressive attacking style to overpower Roma on Monday evening.
Prediction – Juventus to win – 6pts
Match odds: Roma 11/4
Draw 23/10
Juventus 19/20
