Serie A:Genoa face 'ultimate test' against Juve

godtabh

Preview

Genoa, this season's Serie A surprise, can all but end the Italian title race if they beat Juventus at home on Saturday.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side only arrived back in the top flight last term but shrewd signings such as striker Diego Milito and Brazilian Thiago Motta have propelled them to the fourth Champions League qualifying spot with eight games left.

Second-placed Juve were held 3-3 at home by a resurgent Chievo last weekend, dropping them nine points behind leaders Inter Milan, and need a win to keep their slim hopes alive.

"It's a fundamental game for us," Gasperini told Sky TV.

"If we manage to do well against (Juve) it would be like passing the ultimate test. If it's our day, on our home turf we can manage the right result."

Genoa have lost just once at home this season but Argentine Milito, the team's top scorer with 16 league goals, looks likely to miss out with a leg injury.

Juve will be without winger Hasan Salihamidzic after he suffered a knee problem which is threatening to end his season.

Apart from bottom side Reggina hosting Udinese on Sunday (1400), this weekend's games are on Saturday because of Easter.

All matches will hold a minute's silence before kickoff for the victims of the earthquake which struck central Italy earlier this week and the players will wear black armbands.

Serie B games due to be played on Friday have been postponed because a mass state funeral is expected to take place that day.

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, whose sixth-placed side face faltering Lazio in the city derby (1300), believes Serie A games should also have been put back, sentiments echoed by team mate Francesco Totti.

"I think right now football should be put to one side," Totti said. "We must stay close to people who now have nothing. I think it's a moment to think about other things than soccer."

Inter, still without striker Adriano as he sorts out personal problems in Brazil, host Palermo (1300) with goalkeeper Julio Cesar hoping to shake off a groin injury.

AC Milan, four above Genoa in third, visit Chievo in Verona (1300) and fifth-placed Fiorentina, two behind Gasperini's side, entertain Cagliari (1300).

Saturday, April 11, 2009
Time Home Away VENUE
14:00 UK Napoli v Atalanta San Paolo
14:00 UK Fiorentina v Cagliari Artemio Franchi
14:00 UK Torino v Catania Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino
14:00 UK Chievo Verona v AC Milan Stadio Marc`Antonio Bentegodi
14:00 UK Internazionale v Palermo Giuseppe Meazza
14:00 UK Lazio v AS Roma Olimpico
14:00 UK Lecce v Sampdoria Stadio Via del Mare
14:00 UK Bologna v Siena Renato Dall'Ara
19:30 UK Genoa v Juventus Comunale Luigi Ferraris
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Time Home Away VENUE
15:00 UK Reggina v Udinese Stadio Oreste Granillo

I agree with some of what is being said in the press about the games been called off. Have been away for awhile so havent seen much about the earthquae but it seems like a good reason to cancel the games this week.

having said that the games are going ahead. Inter are still struggling along the Championship. Juve dont want to win it. AC have never been good enough to win it. By next week it could be all over with.

Juve could come undone against Genoa. I reckon Genoa could get a draw out of it

Lecce v Sampdoria could be interesting. Lecce win and the relegation battle really hots up. They lose and its probably good by to them. Nice to see Bologna doing a bit better.

Seaneh

Watching the Milan match and Seedorf just scored a really well worked team goal, great break by Janku followed by a brilliant layoff by Pippo teeing the ball up perfectly for Seedorf who just had to hit the target.

Great goal.

Seaneh

O! M! G!

How did he miss that?

Milan got off lucky there, Cheivo player free at the back post from a corner and managed to hit a volley over the bar with NO PRESSURE!

godtabh

Inter draw 2-2.

There was some amount of sendings off this week.

It seems to happen alot in Serie A. Red cards come all at once. I think there was about 7 this week end