adminROME. — Italian Cup winners Lazio will be the underdog when they face two-time reigning Italian Serie A soccer champions Juventus in the Supercup tomorrow, but coach Vladimir Petkovic believes his side has nothing to fear. Juventus have won the Supercup five times and need one more victory to draw level with AC Milan as the team that has lifted the trophy most often. Lazio have won it three times, beating Juventus in 1998.
“Juventus will be the No 1 favourite in the league this year too, they have more quality and important players,” Petkovic said. “But in one-off games we don’t fear anyone, we can compete against everyone.
“We have made progress, we have worked a lot on that,” he said. “The squad has been improved, we can give a good display.”
Lazio’s preseason have included victories over Crystal Palace and Nice, and a draw against Panathinaikos. Juventus will be hoping their offseason results aren’t an indicator of what the season has in store.
The Italian champions were stunned 3-1 by the Los Angeles Galaxy in a preseason tournament and also lost on penalties to Everton, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
“What will happen in the first games is always an unknown, especially when you’re playing for a trophy,” Lazio’s Petkovic said. “You go into the match with so many doubts, but also with a few certainties, like the fact that we’ll do everything to win.”
“We’re already mentally prepared and motivated. The only unknown factor is these first official games where you don’t yet know what level we’re at. It’s the same for Juve, seeing how their games have gone. I’m optimistic.” Lazio beat Juventus 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico last season to progress to the Italian Cup final, where they beat bitter rivals Roma. The teams drew the first leg in Turin, where their Serie A match last season also ended all square. Juventus won their league encounter in Rome.
If Antonio Conte’s team wins tomorrow, it will be the second successive Supercup triumph for Juventus after last season’s 4-2 victory over Napoli. — AFP.
Online Reporter