Preview: Juventus hoping to extend lead at the top
The Old Lady has taken advantage of Roma’s dip in form to extend their lead at the top to three points. Rudi Garcia’s men have drawn all of their last four matches, in contrast to Juventus who have recorded victories in all of their last four.
In their last outing against Udinese, the Turin club notched all three points courtesy of a goal in injury time from Spanish hit-man Fernando Llorente who has seemed to find his feet in Italy. The 28 year old found it difficult to break into the first team initially but goals in his last three Serie A outings have made him an integral member of the first team.
Juventus have had a near to perfect start to the season having lost just once in the 14 matches they have played so far, but Conte was dealt with a serious blow with star playmaker Andrea Pirlo ruled out for an indefinite period due to an ankle injury.
His teammate Andrea Barzagli hailed the veteran midfielder as one of the best in the world, but insisted that the team could get the results without the inspirational midfielder.
"Andrea is important to us," the 32-year-old told reporters.
"He is one of the best players in the world and gives us a lot of experience. Fortunately, we have other players who are strong in midfield, though admittedly there is no one else quite like him.”
"But we are still a great team and we will try to impose our game on the opposition without him.”
Paul Pogba who recently won the Golden Boy award for the year 2013 is expected to take Pirlo’s place in the middle of the park after being benched in the last match against Udinese. The French midfielder has grown in leaps and bounds since making his move to the Turin club and after winning the World Cup with the U-20 side, the former Manchester United man has established himself as an important first team member in both his club as well as the national side.
Bologna on the other hand have made a disastrous start to the new campaign having managed just two victories in the 14 matches they have played so far, their antics earning them the17th place in the league table.
Only newly promoted side Sassuolo have conceded more goals than Rossoblù, who have conceded 26 goals in just 14 games. Stefano Pioli’s men are winless in their last four league outings and to further add to their misery the Red Blues have not recorded a win over their Friday’s opponents in the last nine home games, a streak which is very likely to extend on Friday.
The home side will be without defender Frederik Sorensen who earned his marching orders during Bologna’s 1-1 draw against Parma at the weekend and will thus be suspended for the match against the Old Lady.
For Juve Mirko Vucinic could feature in attack having not started in any of the Old Lady’s last five matches meanwhile Angelo Ogbonna and Martin Caceres are both expected to start Friday’s encounter on the bench.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, Live scores
Watch Bologna vs Juventus live on Friday, December 6, 2013:
In Canada at 14:45 ET on beIN Sport Play Canada, RAI Internazionale
In UK at 19:45 BST on BT Sport 2
In USA at 14:45 ET on RAI Internazionale, beIN Sport Play, beIN Sport USA
The match can also be internationally viewed on bwin Live.
For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Bologna vs Juventus match page.
