With a best possible return to the dugout, Juventus manager Antonio Conte is feeling positive about the Old Lady’s quest to win the league and a possible double. After sitting out of the game for 4 months, the Bianconeri players gave him a perfect come back to the big stage with a 1-0 win over Palermo last week.
Juventus host Cagliari later tonight in the Coppa Italia for a chance to reach the Quarter finals of the tournament. It is expected that the manager will line-up a mixed team after resting some of his key players including Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo. And in the attacking front Giovinco and Fabio Quagliarella could start in place of Matri and Vucinic.
Possible line-ups:
Juventus:
Storari, Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres, Padoin, G’ini, Pogba, Marchisio, De Ceglie, Giovinco, Quagliarella
Cagliari:
Avramov, Perico, Rossettini, Ariaudo, Avelar, Ekdal, Nainggolan, Dessena Ceppellini, Ibarbo, Pinilla
Cagliari on the other hand will have nothing to lose, currently at 14th in the league table, they will want to go one further in the cup competition and will try to make life difficult for the Bianconeri. As far as the team news in concerned Andrea Cossu is likely to be rested, meaning former Penarol youngster and Uruguay Under-20 international Pablo Cepellini may get the chance to shine in Juventus Stadium.
Antonio Conte’s Interview:
Returning from suspension, Conte gave his first interview after last week’s match against Palermo where he said he is thrilled to be back with his team.
“The thing I missed most over these four months was the physical contact with the players during the 95 minutes of play and it was great the other day when everyone came to me and hugged me,” Conte said.
“That was an extraordinary feeling, that’s what I don’t want to renounce to it, I need the physical contact with my players.”
Conte also thanked the Juventus faithful for their unwavering support during the ban. “In Palermo I didn’t mention my thanks to the supporters because I wanted to give a special thanks to them in our home game, for everything they did and proved me over these four months,” he said.
“I want to thank them all officially, because together with my family, the club and the players, their importance was essential for me, in particular when I was very angry and sad.”