adminROME. — Juventus’ new-found lead of Italy’s Serie A faces its first test when the champions host Udinese tomorrow four days after a morale-boosting Champions League soccer win. Juventus took the league lead for the first time last week after Roma, who had set a new Serie A record of 10 opening wins, slumped to a third consecutive draw.
After securing a 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday to relaunch their bid for a place in the last 16 in Europe, Juve seem to have finally turned the corner following a less than spectacular start to the season.
Udinese sit in mid-table having won only five of their 13 games, but veteran striker Antonio di Natale believes that after positive performances in a 1-0 defeat to Catania and, notably, last week’s 1-0 home win over Fiorentina, they can force a result in Turin.
“Our game is improving and we showed that against Fiorentina and Catania,” said Di Natale.
“It’s not going to be easy in Turin, but we’ll stick to our game-plan and see how we go.”
Udinese forward Thomas Heurtaux, who scored the winner against Fiorentina last week, is fit to start but the Zebrette — who like Juve also play in black and white — will be without Colombian Luis Muriel, still sidelined with injury. Juventus, meanwhile, could decide to give
Fabio Quagliarella a start after the striker, who was an unused substitute in Wednesday’s win, scored a hat-trick in an 8-1 friendly win over Serie D side Derthona on Thursday. Conte, however, will have to do without Ghanaian midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, who is suspended, and is still without injured Swiss winger Stephan Lichsteiner.
An upset for Udinese would boost Roma’s hopes of regaining top spot after a surprising scoreless draw at home to Cagliari last week.
Roma would go top, at least for a few hours, with a win away at Atalanta tomorrow afternoon. — AFP.
Online Reporter