GENOA VS JUVE

Derby of 31st round is a very important match for both rivals, though Juventus dropped on nine points behind Inter after drawing with Chievo and hardly anyone believes that bianconeri can challenge the title. They gambled away the chances, lost many points against weaker teams and it is clear now that Juve don’t have the quality to compete with Inter. They travel to Genoa to fight inspired hosts that held on to the fourth place after a minimum triumph in Calabria. Genoa have the historical opportunity to get hold of the Champions league, but it won’t be easy as Fiorentina and even Roma are lurking from behind. We believe, judging from what Gasperini’s team showed this season that they deserve to achieve the biggest success in club history. Juve will host Inter next week, and the will try to win at Marassi in order to keep at least some hope, but the situation in the club is not so good after the clash between del Piero and Ranieri. We are yet to see if legendary captain will be in the starting line-up after staying in the locker room after the break against Chievo.


Genoa ended the negative spell away

This autumn they had problems away, as they couldn't show full potential outside of Marassi. However things changed in 2009, they won even four away matches and they haven't conceded a single goal. Since “Il Principe” Milito is injured, another South American, Tiago Motta will be in charge, Brazilian arrived from Spain as a worn-out player at least that's how the press welcomed him. Now the same press call him “professor". And he is really teaching lessons week after week. In spite of his injury he played an excellent second half in Reggio Calabria and managed to score a winner. If Genoa make it to the Champions league, Motta will be the most responsible. Gasperini still can't get over the convincing defeat to Juventus in the first part of the season and he will do anything to get back at the former club. Milito is out but even four former bianconeri players will be in the squad, Olivera, Sculli, Palladino and Criscito. Some of them are expected to get back in Juve after the season is over.

Ranieri’s post is shaky

The clashes with best players compromised his position in the squad. First he argued with Trezeguet and then with Del Piero who didn't even appear on the first meeting coach asked for after the draw with Chievo. Another proof of the situation in Juventus is Camoranesi's statement that this is not real Juve. Brutally honest Argentinean said that Chievo used to come to Torino hoping not to concede too many goals, today they come to win. Juventus conceded three goals against Veronesi and even though Pellissier scored the third goals in the final seconds of the match, Juve didn’t deserve to win. Buffon and defense are out of form, they miss injured Sissoko, the coach himself is confused and inconsistent with the line-up and formations. Juventus are waiting for the returning leg against Lazio in Cup semifinals but it is hard to believe that the fans will settle for a title in the cup. For club such as Juventus it is an insignificant trophy. Ranieri won’t be making any major changed, Grygera and Salihamidzic are injured, Nedved is rested and he will be back in the team. It remains to be seen if Del Piero will start the game.