Juve Driven By Fear Of Failure
Friday 29th March 2002
Juventus go for a win to stay in touch with the Serie A leaders while Lazio need points in their quest for a European place in Saturday evening's crucial encounter at the Stadio delle Alpi.
Recent history favours the Rome side, who boast an unbeaten run against the Bianconeri stretching back two-and-a-half years.
And following their shock defeat to Parma last week, Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi is aware that his side risks bowing out of the championship race altogether.
"We can't make any more mistakes," he said. "Lazio are a prestigious team and could make us suffer. We must believe in ourselves. There are only six matches left and, although it will be hard, we know that surprises happen in football."
Juve manager Marcello Lippi must do without Alessio Tacchinardi, who has a calf strain, and flu victim Pavel Nedved. Paolo Montero is expected to start on the bench.
Alberto Zaccheroni's Lazio miss the injured Jaap Stam, while Claudio Lopez is set to play as a lone striker.
Juventus (probable): Buffon, Zenoni, Ferrara, Iuliano, Pessotto, Zambrotta, Conte, Davids, Maresca, Del Piero, Trezeguet
Lazio (probable): Peruzzi, Pancaro, Nesta, Mihajlovic, Favalli, Poborsky, Giannichedda, Liverani, Fiore, Stankovic, Lopez
