Juventus in Crunch Game
Saturday 9th December 2000
Juventus play Parma on Sunday in a game that could go a long way to decide
the Turin team's season after they went out of the Champions' League.
Parma are playing extremely well at the moment and the Juventus v Parma
fixture has often had a large saying on the outcome of the title race.
Last year, Juventus won a highly controversial game after referee De Santis
had disallowed a seemingly legitimate Fabio Cannavaro goal to deny Parma an
equaliser.
Juve, of course, then threw the Scudetto away against Perugia the following
week and now need a win to keep up with Roma et al the top of Serie A.
Carlo Ancelotti is likely to play Alessandro Del Piero, who is returning to
top form, with David Trezeguet up front and leave Pippo Inzaghi on the
bench.
The Italian international is clearly not happy to be left out but is not
venting is anger just yet. He has discussed the situation with his agent on
is likely to wait until January before taking any action.
Defender Iualiano is injured but still wants to play, captain Paolo Montero
is suspended after lashing out at Luigi Di Biagio in Sunday's game against
Inter.
Gianluca Zambrotta is still out while Parma manager Alberto Malesani fears
that his team might pay the praise for playing against 1860 Munich in
midweek.
"But to win is always the best cure for any tiredness," he said.
Juventus: Van der Sar, Birindelli, Ferrara, Iuliano, Conte, Tacchinardi,
Davids, Pessotto; Zidane; Del Piero, Trezeguet.
Subs: Rampolla, Tudor, Paramatti, Zambrotta, Bachini, Indaghi, Kovacevic
Manager Ancelotti.
Parma: Buffon; Cannavaro, Thuram, Torrisi, Falsino; Fuser, Boghossian,
Almeyda, Lamouchi; Conceicao, Amoroso.
Subs: Guardalben, Sartor, Benarrivo, Sensini, Appiah, Micoud, Mboma. Manager
Malsani.
Referee: Collina from Viareggio
