Team Talk

Ranieri’s ready for Roma
Friday 15 February, 2008

Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri doesn’t expect Roma to be distracted by European engagements when they arrive in Turin tomorrow night.

The Giallorossi have to entertain Spanish champions Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, but they first face a crunch match against third-placed Juventus.

While the Old Lady have the advantage of focusing solely on the League, Roman native Ranieri doesn’t expect that to be a factor.

“There’s no chance of Roma being distracted,” the former Chelsea boss claimed.

“If the game were after the Champions League clash then it would be possible they would have lost something, but not this way.

“Any side that takes on Juventus gives its best and this will be a classic fixture that is worth so much, even if it is just the fourth game of the second half of the season.”

The first meeting between the two sides finished 2-2 in Week 4 and Juve stole an equaliser at the death through Vincenzo Iaquinta.

“We were curious to know what we could do,” Ranieri recalled. “Everyone knew all about Roma, but all anyone knew of Juve was that we were fighting for something important.

“It was an important game where we grabbed a draw at the end.”

The wily Roman tactician was reluctant to discuss team selection, but revealed that he has no new selection problems.

“I’m not ruling anything out,” he said. “It’s not always best to make tactical changes, but I’m not ruling it out.

“David Trezeguet has recovered from the ‘flu’ and Mauro Camoranesi’s back problem is over, so we have options. We are in the same position as we were in Udine.”

Despite the hype and hysteria in Turin, Ranieri was keen to stress that his side are treating this game like any other.

“We have prepared for this game in the same way we have for all the others,” he explained.

“But Roma are Roma and they are a great side – it will be a good game.

“Our Scudetto is to give the best in every game. Roma are above us, so obviously we will try and catch them just as they are aiming for Inter.

“The important thing is that we are up the top. We are like explorers trying to go as far as possible.”

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Nocerino, Zanetti, Nedved; Trezeguet, Del Piero

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