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Giovinco scored his fisrt goal for Juve vs Lecce.

Juventus is preparing for the match against Lecce, a match in which the bianconeri must give a clear sign of improvement as compared to the last few matches and above all win the three points. It will not be an easy match, however: the Pugliesi are in a full struggle not to be relegated and need to move the table. Besides, in the first round they showed they definitely are not an easy team to beat, managing to create some difficulties for the bianconeri in the first half and going close to the equaliser at the end of the match. The match winner was scored by Amauri with a great header but before the Brazilian it was Sebastian Giovinco who showed his abilities. The Juventus young talent, who was in the starting line-up, not only left the Lecce defence mesmerized on a number of occasions thanks to his dribbling and feints, but also scored the opener by means of a magnificent free-kick which marked his first goal in the Serie A wearing the Juventus jersey – a great feeling, which he has since put behind him.

Giovinco sees Sunday as an occasion to get back up and get over the difficult moment:

We must try to make-up after the last matches – he said on Juventus Channel – It will not be easy but we must do all we can. There will not be the public but this should not be an alibi. We must pretend that our supporters are close by. It is a particular moment but we will try to overcome it with a beautiful victory.

In case you’ve forgot Giovinco’s free-kick, here’s the video, which can also be found in Giovinco Fansite download section.

Giovinco failed to impress against Lazio

Lazio have booked their place in the Coppa Italia final with a fine performance against a Juventus side who were not at the races in Turin. Mauro Zarate’s first half wonder goal got the Romans on their way before Aleksandar Kolarov doubled their money in the second half, while Alessandro Del Piero came off the bench to pull one back for his side in delightful fashion, but it was not enough.

First Half

Lazio kicked off in the Olimpico and they showed Juventus that they were in no mood to sit on their 2-1 advantage from the first leg. Good work by Pasquale Foggia created the first chance of the game. The winger drew a foul from Olof Mellberg and the referee awarded a free kick from outside of the box. Ledesma swung the ball on for Mauro Zarate, but the Argentine was late arriving at the back post as Gianluigi Buffon watched the ball spin wide.

Claudio Ranieri made some wholesale changes to the team which played against Inter and you could tell as Juve struggled to get forward. Lazio enjoyed the lions share of the possession in the opening minutes and they were unlucky not to have taken the lead when some slack Bianconeri defending saw Tommaso Rocchi through. Marco Marchionni failed to clear properly and the ball feel kindly to the Italian hitman. However, his left-foot shot on the turn was wide of Buffon’s post.

The home side struggled to create any chances worthy of mention. Lazio’s midfield quartet of Francelino Matuzalem, Ledesma, Christian Brocchi and Pasquale Foggia ensured all spaces were covered. The Bianconeri were forced to play long ball football which played into the Biancocelesti hands.

The Roman outfit were in control as Juventus continued to waste possession. Mauro Zarate should have given his side the lead when a clever pass in behind Lorenzo Ariaudo by Foggia allowed the hitman to run in on goal, but he snapped at the ball and his powerful effort went wide as Buffon looked on. Down the other end, Ranieri’s men showed themselves occasionally, but when they did it was with intent. Quick feet by Sebastian Giovinco, who started in place of Pavel Nedved, saw him blitz past Lichtsteiner to cross a pinpoint ball for Vincenzo Iaquinta. The Italian striker dived to head the ball, but it was just wide.

Juve started to settle down and find their rhythm after 30 minutes of trying. A quick break involving Marco Marchionni and Iaquinta on the right allowed Trezeguet to find some space on the edge of the box as the Lazio defence tracked back. Iaquinta fed the ball to the Frenchman who controlled and unleashed a powerful drive on the turn, but Nelson Muslera got down well to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.

Down the other end, Zarate opened the door to the Olimpico final next month a little further, and finally gave his side the lead with a wonder goal. Kolarov slid a nice pass to the hitman who controlled, looked up, and fired a magnificent right-foot curler into the top corner. The sheer quality of the strike made Buffon look average as he struggled to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.

Second Half

Claudio Ranieri knew his side were up against it and he introduced Pavel Nedved and Camoranesi for Marco Marchionni and Sebastian Giovinco respectively. The changes seemed to have the desired effect as the Bianconeri came out with all guns blazing. Trezeguet should have done better when Camoranesi guided the ball to his head, but the Frenchman hesitated which allowed Muslera to punch clear.

Juve’s hopes of reaching the final were laid to rest when Kolarov, just like he did for Zarate’s goal, waltzed towards goal unchallenged, this time he didn’t pass though. The defender saw Buffon off his line and smashed a powerful effort towards goal. The ball took a wicked deflection off Zdenek Grygera as the ball beat the goalkeeper to double the Roman side’s advantage on the night.

The Bianconeri reacted with aggression and pride and they were unlucky not to score twice in as many minutes. A super cross from Marchisio found Trezeguet who rose above everyone to head towards goal, but Muslera made a miracle save to prevent the ball from going in down this his left. Iaquinta should have pulled one back with a free header, but he placed it wide of the far post. Muslera was beaten, only the finish lacked accuracy.

Lazio finally succumbed to the Bianconeri pressure when Camoranesi found Alessandro Del Piero, who had just replaced Iaquinta, with another fine pass. The number 10 controlled brilliantly on his chest and smashed a volley from close range into the top corner. Muslera had no chance as the Italian struck coldly and sharply to halve his side’s deficit. The goal boosted Juve and Nedved was unlucky not to have drawn his side level when he headed Camoranesi’s cross onto the post from close range.

Lazio will meet either Inter or Sampdoria in the final next month.

Teams

Juventus 4-4-2: Buffon, Grygera, Mellberg, Ariaudo, De Ceglie, Marchionni(Camoranesi), Tiago, Marchisio, Giovinco(Nedved), Iaquinta(Del Piero), Trezeguet.

Lazio 4-4-2: Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozenhal, Kolarov, Brocchi(De Silvestri), Ledesma, Matuzalem(Dabo), Foggia(Mauri), Rocchi, Zarate.

Goals: Zarate 38′, Kolarov 52′, Del Piero 64′

Cards: Marchisio, Matuzalem

Red: Camoranesi (Dissent)

Ref: Nicola Rizzoli

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Kick-Off: Wednesday, April 22, 20:45 CET. Stadio Olimpico, Turin.

Last Chance For Silverware

Juventus come into this match behind on aggregate and completely out of form, as they have failed to win in the last month of football. Their last victory came back on March 22, when they put four goals past Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Since then though, the Bianconeri have been extremely disappointing, as they have failed to pick up a win in three league matches, against Chievo, Genoa and Inter most recently. These results have all but ended any hope of attaining this season’s Scudetto, as they find themselves ten points adrift of the league leaders with just six matches remaining

The Old Lady commenced their Coppa Italia campaign in the last 16 stage, in which they convincingly overcame Catania thanks to goals from Marco Marchionni, Sebastian Giovinco and the captain, Alessandro Del Piero.

Their next match, against Napoli, proved to be tougher and had to be decided on penalties following 120 goalless minutes. Juve held on to live another day, winning the shootout 4-3.

Heading into the first leg against Lazio, Claudio Ranieri’s men were certainly affected by the distraction of their Champions League tie against Chelsea, which they ended up losing 3-2 on aggregate.

This time around though, there are no external concerns or pressures for them to deal with, allowing the players to put all of their focus into claiming the club’s first Italian Cup since 1995.

European Hopes Rest On Coppa Result

Lazio currently find themselves in ninth place in the Serie A, with six matches remaining in the season. They are currently five points adrift of their bitter rivals Roma, who occupy the sixth and final European qualifying position.

With this in mind, the Biancocelesti will be aware of the fact that success in the Coppa Italia will be enough to pave the way for them into the Europa League next term, as continental football is the bonus for the eventual winners of this competition.

To this point, they have done extremely well in the cup, as they have managed to ease past Atalanta and, more significantly, Milan, who they managed to overcome 2-1 in extra time, along the way. Their most recent progression in the competition came against Torino, as they ran away with a 3-1 victory.

Delio Rossi’s men come into this match on the back of two impressive victories over a pair of European hopefuls in Genoa and their neighbouring rivals Roma. This will give them plenty of confidence heading into this second leg, as will the fact that they are yet to be defeated by the Bianconeri in two attempts this term.

For Lazio, the Coppa Italia represents a real opportunity for success this season, as if they do manage to avoid defeat against Juve this week, they could find themselves up against Sampdoria in the final. If this is to be the case, the Biancocelesti will certainly be confident of winning their fifth Italian Cup in their history.

First Leg In Rome

Lazio stunned Juventus in the first leg with an impressive come-from-behind 2-1 victory. Marchionni opened the scoring for the visitors, to ensure the Old Lady grabbed at least one crucial away goal. A dominant second half by the Biancocelesti, however, ensured that they would take the lead into the second leg, thanks to goals by Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi.

The Bianconeri opted to rest Del Piero, whilst Gianluigi Buffon missed through injury on that night. The home side started with Pandev and Rocchi up front in the absence of Mauro Zarate, a man who is in great form at present.

FORM GUIDE

Juventus

April 17 v Inter (H)                     DREW 1-1

April 11 v Genoa (A)                   LOST 2-3

April 5 v Chievo (H)                    DREW 2-2

March 22 v Roma (A)                 WON 4-1

March 15 v Bologna (H)              WON 4-1

Lazio

April 17 v Genoa (A)                  WON 1-0

April 11 v Roma (H)                   WON 4-2

April 5 v Siena (A)                      LOST 0-2

March 21 v Catania (A)               LOST 0-1

March 15 v Chievo (H)                LOST 0-3

TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Unfortunately for the Bianconeri, the news on the injury front has failed to improve over the past few days, as they are still without the likes of Momo Sissoko and Hasan Salihamidzic. Amauri should be fit in time for the match; however, he will almost certainly have to make do with a spot on the bench, as Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta are tipped to head the attack yet again.

Thankfully for Ranieri though, he will be able to recall both Mauro Camoranesi and Claudio Marchisio, both of whom missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Inter through suspension. The pair will both be pushing for a spot in the starting lineup, against the likes of Christian Poulsen, Tiago and Pavel Nedved in the midfield.

Possible Starting XI – (4-4-2): Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Poulsen, Tiago, Giovinco; Iaquinta, Del Piero.

Lazio

Having decided to rest some players at the weekend, Delio Rossi’s men are in good shape heading into this clash. Unfortunately for their sake though, they were dealt a harsh blow against Genoa, as their star man Pandev suffered a thigh strain which will keep him out of action for the next month. The Macedonian hitman was replaced by Rocchi after just 41 minutes of play, meaning the club captain will play from the start alongside Zarate in this second leg.

Better news for the capital outfit surrounds the availability of both Cristian Brocchi and Francelino Matuzalem, two players that missed the victory over Genoa through suspension. They will almost certainly earn a start in the midfield, most likely replacing Ousmane Dabo and Stefano Mauri.

Possible Starting XI – (4-4-2): Muslera; De Silvestri, Siviglia, Rozenhal, Kolarov; Lichtsteiner, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Brocchi; Zarate, Rocchi.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Juventus – Vincenzo Iaquinta: The former Udinese man has had a fairly inconsistent season to date; nevertheless, he has managed to find the back of the net on eight occasions thus far. His impact against Inter at the weekend was extremely minimal, mainly due to the dominance of Walter Samuel, so with this in mind, the world champion will be desperate to bounce back with a strong showing against Lazio.

Lazio – Mauro Zarate: The in-form hitman has rediscovered his very best touch in recent times, with some inspiring performances against Roma and Genoa in particular. After bursting on to the scene with eight goals in quick succession to get his maiden Serie A season underway, the Argentine is back to his best and will need to be on top of his game once again if Lazio are to progress to the final.

PREDICTION

It certainly will be a fascinating second leg in Turin, as Juventus have to win in order to advance to the final of the competition. It should be interesting to see how the Biancocelesti approach the contest, as they will be aware of the fact that a draw will see them go through. Both clubs have conceded more often than not in recent times, so I am expecting an entertaining, high-scoring match, with the Bianconeri doing enough to progress to the final.

Juventus 3-1 Lazio (4-3 aggregate)