After the international break, Lazio resume their domestic campaign as they welcome Juventus to the Stadio Olimpico. Stefano Pioli’s men have performed well thus are just two points behind third-placed Napoli who occupies that all-important Champions League berth. Although the Biancocelesti last tasted victory over La Vecchia Signora in December 2003, that has not prevented Fabrizio Ravanelli, who featured for both sides prior to hanging up his boots from offering his support to the capital club.
While conceding that “Juventus are the strongest team in Italy”, he nonetheless has faith in Lazio’s abilities to potentially cause an upset. After all, in last season's edition of this match, the Bianconeri were fortunate to depart Rome with a point after Fernando Llorente's goal. Pioli, though will be concerned about the fitness of several defenders, including Michael Ciani and Edson Braafheid who had to quit training earlier this week after suffering injuries and hence might have to tinker around with his line-up.
Meanwhile, Massimiliano Allegri will be pleased by the return of Andrea Pirlo after the veteran midfielder's injury lay-off. The former Milan coach also will definitely modify his line-up as he looks to move from the established 3-5-2 under Antonio Conte to a more traditional four-man defense, which will be a prudent decision given the strength of some of Lazio's attackers.
Filip Djordjevic and Antonio Candreva are two that Juventus will have to track closely, as both have been in good form for their club, and in the case of Candreva, for country as well. The Rome-born attacker scored his first international goal in the 1-1 draw between the Azzurri and Croatia and can cause the Bianconeri's defense a bit of trouble with his pace and trickery. As for Djordjevic, the Serbian has been in top form and is currently his side's top scorer with six goals.
With the Champions League ahead though, Allegri could use this as a chance to rotate his squad as he will definitely want to earn all three points against a Malmo side that they dispatched earlier this season courtesy of a Carlos Tevez double. And with Roma breathing down their necks, ironically, the Giallorossi will be hoping that their cross-town rivals can do them a favor and halt the reigning Scudetto champions from moving further ahead in the title race. Certainly, these two aspects are something that Allegri will have to consider as his team prepare to battle the Biancocelesti in the nation's capital.
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