AS Bari vs Juventus Match Preview
Juventus have overhauled their team after a disappointing season. Diego, arguably the only creative force in the team, has been sold to Wolfsburg despite coach Gigi Del Neri's wishes. The Juventus hierarchy have not been the ones for sentiment, but Diego's departure perhaps signals a hasty decision. Del Piero, who is now well into his thirties, is not the player that can provide the direction in attack.
Juventus were also close to landing Fabio Quagliarella and perhaps even Antonio Di Natale at the time of writing, but even they are skilled forwards, not attacking midfielders. Alberto Acquilani fits the bill, but he is perennially injured. New coach Del Neri will probably play a 4-4-2 with Del Piero and Amauri forming the attack. Krasic and Pepe will provide the width in midfield while Chiellini will marshal the back four. Storari will deputize for the injured goalkeeper Buffon.
Bari will look to build on their excellent showing last season, where they even managed a draw against mighty Inter. Against Juventus, they will be thrown right into the fray. Kutuzov and Barreto will start in attack while Alvarez and Almiron will call the shots in midfield.
Though with all the new faces Juve may take a while to find their feet this season, Bari should be beaten 1-0.
AS Bari vs Juventus Match Report
Bari stunned a toothless Juventus side 1-0. The Old Lady of Italian football barely registered on the game, and Bari took advantage of Juve's lethargy through Massimo Donati's magical goal from the edge of the area. The former Celtic man beat Claudio Marchisio before firing a superb shot in the top corner of the goal.
That goal, which came shortly before half time, proved Juve's undoing, and they rarely looked like restoring parity. It proved to be the winner, but Juve's listlessness was shocking. Fabio Quagriella was introduced into the starting line-up despite having just arrived from Napoli. Yet even he failed to inspire and in the end a 1-0 Bari win was a fair result.
- Hasan Saiyid
