Arch rivals Juventus and Fiorentina desperately need a win to kick-start their stuttering Serie A campaigns. Tonight’s game to be telecast LIVE on Joy Sports and Adom-TV on Multi-TV will provide a perfect opportunity for both teams to get a positive result.
The home side, despite being unbeaten this term, have started to drop points, while Viola boss Sinisa Mihajlovic could be playing for his future as the discontent in Florence is becoming worryingly more vociferous.
Juventus began the campaign brightly and their 2-0 win over Milan seemed to underline their pedigree as Scudetto contenders. Yet that dominant display against the Rossoneri was their only victory in their last five games.
On Saturday, the Old Lady took the lead twice but were punished for their mistakes as Genoa hit back to collect a 2-2 draw. Few were talking about the title after that result and questions are starting to be asked of new boss Antonio Conte.
It’s again unclear what formation he will use after experimenting with a 4-4-2 and a 4-1-4-1. After Alessandro Matri’s two goals, there are even suggestions that the Coach could field a 4-3-3 if Arturo Vidal is thrown back into the line-up after recovering from injury.
Gigi Buffon and Emanuele Giaccherini are still out with fitness issues. Milos Krasic may again start on the bench, but Giorgio Chiellini is set to be confirmed in the starting XI despite his form problems.
Fiorentina, like Juve, come into this tie after a 0-0 and a 2-2. However, they haven’t won since beating Parma in Week 3. Their away form is also horrible as they have collected just two points from a possible nine so far – and they have yet to score on the road.
Mihajlovic, who insists that he doesn’t fear the axe, is without the injured Mattia Cassani and Per Kroldrup, while Riccardo Montolivo is suspended.
He’ll also have to decide whether to reintegrate Juan Manuel Vargas back into the side against a club who were linked with him over the summer.
Alberto Gilardino is back for the Viola though in a clash that is as fiercely contested as a local derby.
Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has been given the full backing of club owner Andrea Della Valle ahead of tomorrow's Serie A trip to Juventus.
Last weekend's 2-2 home draw against Catania extended Fiorentina's winless run to four games and dropped the Viola to 10th in the standings.
Defeats at Juve and against Genoa on Sunday could prove costly for Mihajlovic, according to reports in Italy.
However, on suggestions Mihajlovic's job could be in jeopardy, Della Valle told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Absolutely not.
"I have full confidence in Sinisa and he is not under threat.
It could be a heated game so referee Daniele Orsato may have a key role to play in this one. The man in black won’t bring back happy memories for La Signora. Juventus have only won one of the eight Leagues games which he has officiated – and that was the first back in December 2007. Orsato also took charge of the last meeting between these two sides – a 0-0 last April in Tuscany.
Fiorentina will welcome back striker Alberto Gilardino into their starting XI.The Italy international, who played the final six minutes of Saturday's game after being out for five weeks with a knee injury, will partner Stevan Jovetic in Fiorentina's attack.
The hosts are hoping to recover goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who missed the game against Genoa with a shoulder injury.Should the Italy international fail in his bid to be fit, Marco Storari will take his place between the posts.
The visitors will be without midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, who serves a one-match ban.
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