After National Team duties gave Juventus the week off except for the little friendly with Standard Liege which Juve lost 3-2, I decided to take the week off as well as it was a slow news week. But now the Bianconeri are back, and so am I. Back into action tomorrow away against Pescara at the Stadio Adriatico we will see if the team can mesh back into form where we left off. 2nd to last placed Pescara have only won 3 games at home and dont look for that number to change tomorrow.
Pescara
Polito; Zoppetti, Gonnella, Delli Carri, Mora; La Vista, Luci, Rigoni, Antonelli; Martini, Vantaggiato
Juventus
Buffon;Zebina, Boumsong, Chiellini, Balzaretti; Marchionni, Zanetti, Giannichedda, Nedved; Del Piero,Zalayeta
Player Watch- For Juve, Coach Deschamps after speaking with Camoranesi is giving him the day off to rest, so Marco Marchionni should make the start. With Palladino still not 100% Zalayeta will pair up with Del Piero up front and Bojinov will ride the bench unfortunately. As much as I value Zalayeta, Bojinov should get the start even though there wont be height with him and Del Piero, they can still perform. Look for the same we've seen the past few weeks in defense, even though Chiellini proved his true position is the flank at Wembley we dont have anyone to play in the center so Giorgio will stay there instead of the flank.
As for Pescara their main star is young striker Daniele Vantaggiato to compliment the rest of the well aged squad. Most Serie B teams have a nice mix of youth and veterans, but Pescara I feel had too little on the youth this year and not enough in those aged legs to keep them from relegation danger. Vantaggiato who leads the team with 6 goals could trouble Boumsong who had issues against Standard this week, if the striker can get any decent balls from the midfield.
Outlook- Look for Juventus to dominate, Del Piero is the key here this week. After being subbed on at the San Nicola for the Azzurri wednesday, our captain wants to shove it to Donadoni and show why he wants a bigger role. Look for Marchionni and Del Piero to have big games, and hopefully Bojinov can get a nice chunk of action to shine a little. Also one of my favorite up and comers Sebastian Giovinco has been called on by Deschamps (he also played up front with Trez against Standard) maybe he will be on the bench if that is the case I'd love to see him get in the 2nd half a bit. Giovinco set up a Trezeguet goal against standard, and then also scored against Inter's Primavera squad this week in the Primavera Italian Super Cup Final. My Prediction : 3-0 Juventus easily