Juventus are back in business with Ciro Ferrara’s job safe for the moment, but all that could change at the Bentegodi.

The Coach faced the strong possibility of dismissal this week after a series of poor results that culminated in a 3-0 home defeat to Milan. That effectively ruled them out of the Scudetto race and saw Napoli catch them in joint third position.

Guus Hiddink was warming up to take over, but a 3-0 Coppa Italia triumph over Napoli on Wednesday night proved just the tonic Juve needed. Alessandro Del Piero bagged a brace in a rare start and Diego also hit the net to crown a strong performance.

The same forwards should be reunited for this game, simply because they are the only available alternatives. In fact, it’s likely that they’ll be pushed into a 4-4-2 formation, as Amauri is suspended, joining the injured David Trezeguet, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Sebastian Giovinco, Christian Poulsen, Mauro Camoranesi and Martin Caceres.

Momo Sissoko is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, leaving very few options for Ferrara. At least Gianluigi Buffon should make his first appearance of 2010 after recovering from knee surgery.

Chievo had a less impressive Coppa Italia test, as on Thursday they were leading 2-1 away to Fiorentina before conceding twice in two minutes to go out 3-2. That proved their fourth consecutive defeat in all competition.

Coach Mimmo Di Carlo made sweeping changes to his line-up, so the men taking to the field this weekend should be fairly fresh. Sergio Pellissier returns in a huge boost, as the top scorer missed the last game after taking a nasty knock to the head from Inter defender Cristian Chivu. He had head trauma, but came off better than Chivu, who required surgery for a fractured skull.

Elvis Abbruscato should partner Pellissier with support from Giampiero Pinzi, although Pablo Granoche and Erjon Bogdani bring different characteristics to the role. Fabio Moro and Francesco Scardina are out of action, but other than that Di Carlo has a full squad to choose from. It’s a particularly special fixture for former Torino youth product Pellissier and product of the Juventus academy Felice Piccolo.

Juve have a splendid record at the Bentegodi, winning six of their total seven visits and drawing one in 2005-06. Last season Del Piero scored in a 2-0 victory that marked his 34th birthday.

Keep an eye on: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) – He is yet to play an entire match this season and has been cruelly ignored by former teammate Ferrara, but the captain showed just what he can bring to the Bianconeri cause with his Coppa Italia double midweek. Considering the injury crisis, Juventus will more than ever be looking to Del Piero for inspiration.

Last five in Serie A: Chievo (W W L L L) Juventus (W L L W L)

Last season: Chievo 0-2 Juventus

Chievo (probable): Sorrentino; Frey, Mandelli, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Abbruscato, Pellissier

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Salihamidzic, Felipe Melo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Diego, Del Piero

Ref: To follow...

Del Piero surely won't be used on his own up front, that would be disastrous. They can back Ferrara all they want, but any more dropped points here and it's a fucking disaster.

Chievo (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Sardo, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Abbruscato, Bogdani

A disposizione: Squizzi, Mandelli, Frey, Ariatti, Bentivoglio, Granoche, De Paula


Juventus (4-4-1-1): Buffon; Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Salihamidzic, F. Melo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Diego; Del Piero

A disposizione: Manninger, Zebina, Legrottaglie, Giandonato, Esposito, Paolucci, Immobile


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Del Piero on his own up front.

Three kids in there as well, no space for Yago or Rossi though Giandonato is a stronger kind of midfielder, I guess we needed someone in there as we let Tiago go

1 Buffon
3 Chiellini
4 Felipe Melo
5 Cannavaro
6 Grosso
7 Salihamidzic
8 Marchisio
10 Del Piero
12 Chimenti
13 Manninger
15 Zebina
21 Grygera
27 Paolucci
28 Diego
29 De Ceglie
32 Yago
33 Legrottaglie
35 Esposito
36 Giandonato
37 Rossi
40 Immobile

I should know never to trust TuttoJuve, a few kids in and Paolucci also. Hopefully Gazzetta had their squad right:

So weak our midfield is...

Hope that our young players will deliver a good performance...

This match will not be broadcast live in my country... Is there a livestream on the internet Jay?

Yeah there should be, I'll post one up around kickoff (in 1 hour 15 minutes) which is when they are best.

http://www.atdhe.net/11892/watch-chievo-verona-vs-juventus

Should be others soon.

This is the official lineup.

Chievo (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Sardo, Mandelli, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Abbrusciato, Granoche.
Subs: Squizzi, Frey, Morero, Ariatti, Bentivoglio, Bogdani, De Paula.

Juventus (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Marchisio, Melo, De Ceglie; Diego; Del Piero, Paolucci.
Subs: Manninger, Zebina, Legrottaglie, Salihamidzic, Giandonato, Rossi, Immobile

Rossi on the bench

http://www.justin.tv/gfmania69_02#r=qauaKmw

Chievo have a glorious chance but he looked fucking miles offside, Buffon saved a poor shot though.

Juve playing a very high line.

The whole ground sings 'se saltelli, muore Balotelli'

Bogdani hit Grygera in the face with him arm, his nose is a mess.

Grygera is off for now.

Sardo wants a penalty, certainly had a shout for a clumsy challenge from Grosso.

Chievo are killing our defence at times

Paolucci just fouled from a good dribble. Chievo throwing lots of arms in the air as if they are being punished.

Grygera is back on, not sure how long for.

Del Piero freekick blocked, corner.

We can't hold the ball well up front so far.

To summarise so far we have no attacking threat and look shaky in defence, sound familiar?

The ref is shit, not giving clear fouls to both teams.

Good defending from Canna.

Melo does well to stop a great chance for Chievo.

Chiellini scores an own goal, but it is annulled because he was pulled back. That was very generous, it must be our turn this week.

No I'm wrong, it was the right call, his shirt was clearly pulled and he fell backwards and the ball went in off him.

Zebina is on now, Grygera looks in poor shape. Add another to the injury list

Melo passes to the stand lol.

Sardo scores a great goal from distance into the corner, Chievo 1-0 Juventus. We are so going to lose this, terrible performance. It's really tiring now, Ferrara needs to go, injuries or not.

We haven't even made one attack, no shot or anything.

There is nothing on the bench to change it either, unless a youth team player pulls something out of the bag

Their pitch is also a total disgrace for this level of football.

This is one fight 'Rocky' isn't going to see out.

Zebina Useless shite.

Marchisio was in a glorious position there but couldn't get a shot off, right on half time too.

Juve playing well for the injury time anyway

wow... perhaps another poor performance I guess from Jay's comments...

Btw, I hate Ferrara comparing himself to "Rocky"... he seems stubborn not to step down, he's fighting for himself... not that he's brave to continue fighting for Juve... he should resign for the good of Juve...

Well at least we put together a couple of attacks between the 45-48 minutes lol, otherwise there was nothing. Really, it is abject garbage though.

Del Piero is doing nothing, Paolucci is trying hard with no support. Diego is the only bit of quality but is trying to do too much. The same as the last few weeks in Serie A basically, doesn't look like any improvement is ever made.

He should, but he won't. He's too stubborn, you can see it in his tactics. It's not getting any better. The flattering win over Napoli in the Coppa just masked how mediocre we are right now, as I thought.

Have you not got a stream?

0 shots on goal or on target first half, impressive.

Bring Rossi on for De Ceglie and Immobile for Del Piero, there is nothing to lose at this point, we haven't created anything and look like conceding on most plays.

Fabio Grosso has been dreadful for the last few months.

Thanks Jay for the streams... I have not tried them for the first half and may not try any of them for the 2nd half though... It's disappointing to watch... Better go to sleep for a good start for next week...

Sleep sounds a better idea right now

Well we haven't conceded in the second half yet anyway.

Guess I must go to sleep really as the stream don't work for me... Good luck to Juve... I will read your comments tomorrow morning then Jay...

Diego is trying his best, surrounded by obscurity right now.

Salihamidzic in, Grosso out. Finally.

De Ceglie to left back, Brazzo over to Marchisio's side and Marchisio left of the three.

Zebina has a massive cut on his head now, pissing with blood. This is unbelievable!!!

It doesn't rain here, it's a fucking monsoon.

Hopefully Zebina will be able to continue, we don't have anyone on the bench, he'll need a bandage but was very bloody.

Juve more on top, getting the ball around the area at least.