Title contenders Juventus travel to the Stadio Sant'Elia to face Cagliari, as Week 14 of Serie A resumes on Sunday.
The hosts are in scintillating form. The tale of Cagliari’s campaign is strikingly similar to last season, a poor start followed by a spectacular revival. The Isolani’s first win didn’t come until Week 5 and yet last weekend’s loss away to Milan stopped a four match winning streak.
A 4-3 defeat at San Siro is clearly no disgrace, especially given the Sardinians approach and amazing attacking display. Massimiliano Allegri’s outfit appear particularly strong in attacking midfield and up front.
Meanwhile, Inter’s 1-1 draw with Roma in Week 12 allowed Juve to move within five points of the Nerazzurri just when it appeared Jose Mourinho’s men had begun their annual Scudetto procession even earlier than usual.
The Bianconeri have won their two League games since and that form must be maintained as they can’t rely on Inter slipping up. Coach Ciro Ferrara has to find a way to replicate the Beneamata’s consistency if they are to stay in the hunt. The resurgence of Milan, who lie just two points behind in third, complicates matters further. As does the midweek defeat at Bordeaux.
Cagliari defenders Francesco Pisano and Lino Marzoratti remain injured, whilst Juve’s long list contains Vincenzo Iaquinta, Jonathan Zebina, Tiago, Claudio Marchisio and David Trezeguet.
Ferrara’s biggest dilemma is whether to select the returning Alessandro Del Piero and Momo Sissoko from the start at the expense of Christian Poulsen and Sebastian Giovinco.
The history books suggest this will be a very tight encounter as the Old Lady has prevailed on both visits to the Stadio Sant’Elia since returning from Serie B, but by narrow margins, 3-2 in 2007 and 1-0 last year.
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