Serie A 17ª Giornata - 20/12/09
Juventus - Catania 
Stadio Olimpico Torino

Stadio Olimpico Torino
Juventus have no option but to win against Catania after two dreadful defeats to Bayern Munich and Bari. But the Sicilians are desperate for points too…
The Bianconeri are going through a period of crisis following their Champions League elimination and their shock 3-1 defeat in Puglia. Ex-director Roberto Bettega is set to return to Turin in order to help Ciro Ferrara, but the Coach’s time is running out as Guus Hiddink and Roberto Mancini have been linked with the Old Lady.
“We can still win the Scudetto,” claimed Diego. But the fans are concerned neither him nor his Brazilians teammates, Felipe Melo and Amauri, are doing enough on and off the pitch.
“I think in terms of quality there isn’t much difference between us and Inter. Our squads are on the same level. Against Bari we played well but we were just unlucky,” added the former Werder Bremen ace.
Catania are bottom of the table and in desperate shape. Gianluca Atzori was fired last week but Sinisa Mihajlovic has been unable to change their luck so far. Last Sunday they lost by a goal to relegation rivals Livorno. “It’s sad to lose this way,” noted the Serbian. “I don’t think we deserved to lose because the Amaranto only had one shot on target.”
Ferrara will be forced to make several changes starting from Gigi Buffon, out for 40 days, and Mauro Camoranesi, whose injury may compromise his World Cup hopes.
Alexander Manninger will play in goal while Melo returns in midfield as Christian Poulsen is suspended. Amauri is not at his best so David Trezeguet and Alex Del Piero will start.
Catania will be without their best man Giuseppe Mascara, who is suspended. The Etnei should stick to a 4-2-3-1 strategy with Adrian Ricchiuti stepping in for Mascara behind Taka Morimoto, but their approach is set to be incredibly defensive.
Last year they managed to win a point at the Olimpico and will be looking to repeat the same kind of display this time around.
Keep an eye on: Diego (Juventus) – After missing a penalty against Bari, the Brazilian must prove he is worth his hefty transfer fee. Juve have been waiting long enough so it is time to show his true potential.
Last five in Serie A: Juventus (W W L W L) Catania (D D L L L)
Last season: Juventus 1-1 Catania
Juventus (probable): Manninger; Caceres, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Grosso; Melo, Tiago, Marchisio; Diego; Trezeguet, Del Piero
Catania (probable): Andujar; Alvarez, Silvestre, Terlizzi, Capuano; Carboni, Biagianti; Martinez, Ledesma, Ricchiuti; Morimoto
Ref: To follow...
