40. That is the number of points that separate the two sides--Parma and Juventus--prior to this evening's quarter-final Coppa Italia clash. Last season, Roberto Donadoni's men finished in 6th place. This time, though, they have just earned nine points from 20 matches and sit dead last in the table, with a measly three wins, one sole stalemate, and a disappointing 16 losses so far, including a 2-1 reversal to fellow bottom-dwelling side Cesena.
At this rate, should things not improve drastically over the next few months, the team which once enjoyed a golden era from 1992 to 2002 when they won eight trophies, including two Europa League titles, will have to battle it out in Serie B next season.
However, for now, the Crociati will not be able to do anything about their precarious league situation as coming up is a meeting with Juventus in the quarter-finals of this season's Coppa Italia. This could not come at a worse time for the hosts. The Bianconeri, who have just lost once this season, have been in ruthless form as of late. Seven points now separate them from Roma, who continue to lose ground in the Scudetto race. And they have been no slouches in the Coppa Italia either, having thrashed Hellas Verona whilst fielding a largely second-string squad.
Massimiliano Allegri is expected to give youngster Kingsley Coman, who netted his first goal during the 6-1 win over Hellas Verona another start, and Fernando Llorente, who has not featured as much will be another likely given a starting berth. Meanwhile, he will certainly hope that Andrea Pirlo, who was out with the flu will have recovered to return to the fold, and Marco Storari will as usual deputize between the posts in lieu of Gianluigi Buffon.
The Coppa Italia is not a tournament held in really the highest regard by many of the country's biggest sides, but despite the fact that Juventus have not won it in 20 years, the hosts will have plenty to worry about concerning their upcoming opponents. The last time the two sides met back in November, it resulted in a 7-0 humiliation in Turin. And just this past Monday, due to an ongoing dispute surrounding his unpaid wages, Antonio Cassano opted to terminate his contract by mutual consent, with rumors that other players could possibly follow suit.
But, for the present, with Donadoni's job reportedly on the line, the team's battle-weary fans will have to hope that their struggling side can pull off a sort of miracle against the reigning Scudetto champions, who simply appear to be unstoppable right now.
Parma vs Juventus team sheets
Parma's lineup: Mirante, Mendes, Lucatelli, Galloppa, Palladino, Gobbi, Nocerino, Rodriguez, Paletta, Mariga, Rispoli.
Juventus' lineup: Storari, Lichtsteiner, Ogbonna, Chiellini, Padoin, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Pepe, Llorente, Coman.
Parma's bench: TBA
Juventus' bench: Buffon, Rubinho, Caceres, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra, Pogba, Pereyra, Morata, Giovinco.
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