Maccabi Haifa FC side welcome Juventus in UEFA Champions League Group A on Tuesday, with the Israeli club obliged to win to preserve any hopes of progressing in the competition.
The Bianconeri go into the game on the back of Saturday's surprise 3-2 loss, which saw them drop seven points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan. The result marked Juve's first league defeat at home in nine months.
Juventus know they wont be able to afford slip ups as they are just one point ahead of Bayern Munich and two points behind leaders Bordeaux of Group A.
The Bianconeri will be without the injured Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Jonathan Zebina and Mohammed Sissoko. However, winger Mauro Camoranesi has travelled with the team despite needing four stitches in a head wound he sustained against Napoli.
Maccabi will be hoping to break their duck having failed to claim a point or even score a goal so far in the group. Elisha Levi's side made life difficult for the Turin giants last month, with Giorgio Chiellini's goal proving the only difference between the two sides.
The Israeli champions go into the encounter in buoyant mood after continuing their perfect start to the Ligat Ha'Al by beating Maccabi Netanya 2-0 on Saturday. The result marked their eighth successive league victory.
The Israeli hosts are without midfielders Baram Kayal and Dutra, who are both serving one-match bans. Midfielder Eyal Golasa is still sidelined with a hip injury while Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Boccoli is battling to recover from an ankle problem.
This could be a turning point in Group A if Juventus are to take those vital 3 points at Haifa and wait for Bordeaux to slip up against the Bavarians. Group A is evenly poised for a climax!
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