Fulham vs Juventus Match Preview
Fulham will host Juventus at the Craven Cottage this week. Juventus are leading 3-1 on aggregate and hope to end the English curse that has plagued them for over twenty five years in Europe. Fulham have a strong European record at home, unbeaten in their last 13 fixtures.
Fulham come into this match after to a disappointing loss to Manchester United league leaders in the English Premiership. However, they were able to take positives away from the game. Clint Dempsey made his first start in two months. Simon Davies and Damien Duff were restricted to 45 minutes of play due to risk of injury and being rested for this fixture. The Cottagers do have an impressive home record, gaining monumental wins over Liverpool and Manchester United. Roy Hodgson will call on his team to put forth a strong effort at home this week. They will need to win by at least two goals to secure a spot in the quarter finals of the Europa League. Cottagers need an inspired offensive performance from two of their leading scorers Zamora and Dempsey. Hopefully the home field advantage can see the Cottagers through to the next round.
Juventus are looking to bounce back from a lapse in concentration after a 3-3 draw with Siena over the weekend. Turin\'s tyrants looked to have the match sealed up in the 10th minute already leading 3-0. However, lackadaisical play in the second half costed them 2 points and a chance at 4th place in Serie A. Juventus will be without their 1st and 2nd options between the sticks. Gianluigi Buffon has already been ruled out and Alex Manninger picked up a thigh injury on Sunday. This means either Carlo Pinsogilo or Antonio Chimenti could make their UEFA debut at Fulham\'s fortress. Juventus midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic weighed in on the challenge that awaits in England. \"It\'ll be very hard over there because it\'s a small ground. They play with a great tempo at home and we\'ll have to be very careful. But if we put them under pressure, the sort of pressure we did in the first leg, it will be really hard for them to play well.\" Del Piero reached impressive heights over the weekend getting his 300th career goal. Look for him to pose a serious threat to Fulham\'s defense. A little bit of space and confidence is all he needs to inflict serious damage in a match.
