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Both of these teams have one target in mind and that is to challenge A.C Milan for the scudetto title. Neither side would be happy with the draw as it would do them no good here.

Juventus were not too bothered about being eliminated from the Europa League as they can now concentrate fully on Serie A. They beat Catania 3-1 in their last match and showed no signs of mourning from the exit from Europe. It has also been almost two months since they last tasted defeat.

Simone Pepe would be back for this clash after recovering froma flu bug. Up front Vincenzo Iaquinta will partner the inspired Fabio Quagliarella for the home side.

For Lazio their problem reveolves around the left back position. Stefan Radu has undergone an operation on his right meniscus and will be out until January. Luis Cavanda is expected to start in that position instead.

In central midfielder, coach Edy Reja must consider three names for two spots. It seems very likely that Cristian Ledesma will be on the bench in favour of the greater experience of Cristian Brocchi and Francelino Matuzalem. (continue reading…)

Clash of the heavyweights as Juventus welcomes Roma to the Stadio Olimpico clash. It will be several interesting reunions as Claudio Ranieri, Gigi Del Neri and Alberto Aquilani face their former clubs here.

Both sides started the season in poor form but have did remarkably well and are only a point apart going into the Stadio Olimpico tonight. Juventus have the upper hand in fifth place despite an extraordinary injury crisis that has ruled out Gianluigi Buffon, Milos Krasic, Nicola Legrottaglie, Leandro Rinaudo, Zdenek Grygera, Paolo De Ceglie, Jorge Martinez and Alex Manninger out of this clash.

Meanwhile former Roma defender Marco Motta is also suspended, but Amauri and Felipe Melo are fit again after missing the midweek 1-1 draw with Brescia. In defence Del Neri has had to rely on Hasan Salihamidzic and Fabio Grosso, who were frozen out while they awaited a January sale, but had to be used as they are short of players.

In the new look Juventus side, there is still a lot of Roma in it. That also includes youth academy products Aquilani and Simone Pepe. Coach Del Neri had a brief spell on the Giallorossi bench in 2004-05, stepping in for Rudi Voller in September only to resign after 24 games in charge. (continue reading…)

The Turin giants have courted Benitez since sacking Ciro Ferrera in January, with current chief Alberto Zaccheroni in charge only until the end of the season.

Insiders continue to insist Juve have met Benitez’ representatives and want a definite commitment by the end of next week, despite denials from the Kop chief’s camp.

But Juve’s chances of landing him would be severely compromised if they fail to reach Europe’s premier competition with the financial jackpot that brings.

Juve, sixth in Serie A, last summer used a hefty slice of NEXT season’s budget to bring in Brazilian duo Felipe Melo and Diego for a combined near £50million.

But that backfired as they failed to have the desired impact and there is growing turmoil at the club.

Bringing in Benitez, plus a couple of his backroom team and top stars, would cost around £100m, stretching Juve to breaking point.

That means a place in the Champions League is essential if they are to finance a rebuilding campaign.

Failure to do so would mean the Agnelli family, which owns the club, having to pump in a fortune. (continue reading…)

French striker David Trezeguet is out of Friday’s crucial Serie A clash away to Inter Milan, his club Juventus said on Wednesday.

The veteran former France international has a thigh strain and according to news agency Ansa will be out for a week, although Juve did not specify the length of his absence.

Juve said that Czech full-back Zdenek Grygera will also miss the tie as he faces three weeks on the sidelines with a pulled thigh muscle.

However, Uruguayan full-back Martin Caceres and Brazilian playmaker Diego both look likely to be fit for the match. (continue reading…)

The Italian media had claimed there was already a verbal agreement between the Spaniard and his would-be new employers and a meeting had taken place today with Benitez’s lawyers to finalise details of the contract.

There were even reports Benitez would make Liverpool trio Dirk Kuyt, Martin Skrtel and, somewhat oddly considering their fractious relationship, Ryan Babel his first signings.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez last night released a statement claiming he has no agreement with Juventus and will not be meeting the Italian club or their representatives, or any other club.

However, similar sources had suggested on Thursday a Juve delegation was in Liverpool only for that to prove to be false.

When asked about the manager’s future Kuyt said he did not believe there would be any change at the top.

‘As far as I know there is no doubt,’ said the Holland international.

‘I’ve not heard there is any trouble or indication the manager could leave so if that is not happening we just want to play football.’

Benitez did not help all the conjecture about his future on Friday when he said he was proud to be linked with one of Europe’s top clubs.

But he did also say he had a job to do an Anfield and was committed to that. Co-owner Tom Hicks’ surprise visit to watch yesterday’s 2-0 victory over Bolton also posed a few questions as to why he had attended a relatively low-key fixture when there was a Merseyside derby next weekend.

He was not, however, bringing a last-minute transfer window war chest for the Spaniard to spend to help Liverpool secure the Champions League football which is so vital to their future. (continue reading…)

Benitez said he was “proud” to be linked as they are a “top side in Europe” but added: “I’m happy here and want to do a job as best I can.”

The Spaniard has come under-fire for a spluttering season and doubts over his future intensified on Friday with Ciro Ferrara’s sacking at the Serie A club.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has rejected talk of an imminent move to become the new Juventus coach.

Alberto Zaccheroni has been handed the role until the end of the season.

The Reds manager signed a new deal in March 2009 to keep him at the Merseyside club until 2014, but an early exit in the Champions League and FA Cup, along with poor Premier League form, has not helped to quash reports of a premature departure.

Benitez’s agent Manuel Garcia Quilon revealed on 26 January there was “no truth” in the media speculation linking his client to a move to the Turin club.

And although some reports in Italy suggested a Juventus delegation had flown to Merseyside this week attempting to secure a new long-term manager, Benitez was not prepared to discuss his future.

“I am not here to talk about speculation because people talk too much,” said the 50-year-old.

“I am focused on preparing my team for the game against Bolton (on Saturday). I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don’t want to lose my focus.” (continue reading…)

The Juventus coach tried to relieve the tension by creating as normal an atmosphere as possible: “At this time, I don’t need to be any braver than usual, I just need to appreciate the difficult nature of the situation and I am not ashamed to discuss it. After all, taking criticism and handling controversy is part of this job. Rather than shunning it, you have to take it on the chin, at both the good times and the bad. I’ll say it again with absolutely no embarassment as I have nothing to be embarassed about. Results are not coming my way, but I have always acted professionally, honestly and with principle, doing everything I can to make things better. And I will keep on doing this until the club tells me that it has decided differently.”

Respect — “If that should happen” Ferrara continued, “I will accept the club’s decision with total respect, reassured that I gave a lot and received a lot from the club, first as a player then as a manager, and now also the chance to steer the team from the bench. For my part, I have always behaved seriously and professionally, which is why I am not ashamed at the moment and have never thought of resigning. I haven’t even asked to talk it over, because I know what I have to do, which is to keep on doing it, i.e. try to turn things around and get some important results.” (continue reading…)

Juventus coach, Ciro Ferrara, very satisfied and relieved after his team beat Torino 3-0 in round 16 of the Coppa Italia. This result make he still maintained at least until the end of the season.

Napili opponent’s game is crucial position. If Juve lose, then it is likely he will be fired immediately. So, he’s very grateful to the players who want to follow instructions and play with great enthusiasm.

“Very clearly this game is very, very important for anyone, not just for me. I think the players are dealing with the situation the best way to focus, attention, and the perfect spirit,” said Ferrara.

“Napoli has a good chance from Marek Hamsik who kick hit the goalpost. But, overall Juventus won the game prove worthy,” he added.

Mentioned about the issue of firring, Ferrara said, “We have developed a lot of rumors.”

He even explains his team plan to spend on players this January transfer window. “We’ll be working to buy the players needed to replace several players who left. We also must get the injured players recover quickly. We have little choice when in this game,” he explained. (continue reading…)

Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara describes himself like a Hollywood movie characters, Rocky Balboa, which is a boxer who often bloody but will never give up.

“My friend recently told me, ‘You’re like Rocky.” I had already received so many blows and has been covered with blood, but I would say to my opponent, ‘You cannot hurt me. And I will be stronger when you’re hurting me. ” Nothing could make me give up, “said the former Juve defender.

Ferrara is currently being buffeted by a storm after his team had poor results since December. After eliminated from the Champions League, Juve are also often lost in the Serie-A. Last Del Piero and his colleagues are bent Milan 0-3 at home.

He also began to push to retired by a supporter. Guus Hiddink’s name was widely mentioned as a potential replacement of Ferrara. Of course this makes a Ferrara was getting depressed.

Game against Napoli in the Coppa Italy, Wednesday (13 / 1), maybe will be his last game with Juve.