What: Italian Serie A
Who: Juventus vs Sampdoria
When: Sunday 12th September, 2010, at 14:00 UK Time
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Turin, Italy
Searching for Identity Under Luigi Delneri
Juventus finished unacceptably low in the Serie A standings last season, ending the campaign in seventh, enough only for qualification into the Europa League. Having qualified for the Champions League the season prior, the Old Lady will be aiming to set their disappointment aside and return to the type of form that has made the club one of the most prestigious in the world of football. Key to this revival will be new manager Luigi Delneri, who replaced the ineffective Alberto Zaccheroni in May.
With the experienced 60-year-old at the helm, Juventus are expected to work towards rediscovering the club’s identity, a process that the Old Lady’s management feels will help bring back the glory days, when winning the Champions League rather than just qualifying for it, was the team’s goal. To this end there were several impressive arrivals, including Serbian winger Milos Krasic, Italian midfield live-wire Simone Pepe, while Alberto Aquilani pitched up from Liverpool on loan.
Putting One Over the Past
Despite a magnificent 2009/10 season, which saw Sampdoria qualify for the Champions League – although they later suffered the heartbreak of elimiation from the playoff round by Werder Bremen – the club was left reeling in May, after it was confirmed that their talismanic manager Luigi Delneri would be moving to Juventus for the next campaign. And with the wounds still fresh, the overachieving club is set to lock horns with the man that took the team from a struggling mid-table side, to a legitimate top four contender.
Having won their opening match against Lazio, Sampdoria will be confident when they make the trip to the Stadio Olimpico. Although they are without their influential manager from last season, new boss Domenico Di Carlo will be determined to prove there is still plenty to be optimistic about by getting one over the man he replaced.
Recent form
Juventus:
AC Milan 0-0 Juventus (22/08; Friendly)
Juventus 5-1 Sturm Graz (26/08; Europa League Qualifier)
AS Bari 0-0 Juventus (29/08; Serie A)
Sampdoria:
Werder Bremen 3-1 Sampdoria (18/08; Champions League Qualifier)
Sampdoria 3-2 Werder Bremen (24/08; Champions League Qualifier)
Sampdoria 2-0 Lazio (29/08; Serie A)
Key absences
Juventus: Claudio Marchisio; Gianluigi Buffon; Carvalho Amauri; Vincenzo Iaquinta
Sampdoria: Fernando Tissone; Andrea Poli; Pietro Accardi
Players to watch
Juventus – Milos Krasic: The Serbian winger has got his first game at Juventus out of the way, and with his club looking to change things around after suffering a disappointing defeat in the opening day, the former CSKA Moscow player will be eager to provide the creativity that the team is lacking. Much is placed on Krasic’s shoulders, with some members of the Old Lady faithful comparing him to the legendary Pavel Nedved.
Sampdoria – Antonio Cassano: The controversial striker may have missed out on playing for Italy in the recent World Cup, but Cassano remains Sampdoria’s most dangerous threat in attack. A strong performance from him will be key for the team’s chances and he forms a lethal partnership up front with Giampaolo Pazzini, a double act the Azzurri are counting on too.
Match prediction
After a disappointing start to the season, Juventus will be looking to turn things around against Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico. With some key players out though, and a lack of decisiveness apparent from their last match, the Serie A giants will find it difficult once more against a buoyant Sampdoria side. A win is likely to remain elusive for the Old Lady, with a 1-1 draw expected.
