Ranieri gets behind Parma

Ranieri gets behind Parma
Friday 16 May, 2008

Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri is looking for a positive conclusion to a successful season and hopes Parma can avoid the drop this Sunday.

The Old Lady have accomplished their mission this term by securing a place in next season’s Champions League.

Only pride is at stake for Ranieri’s men as they travel to Sampdoria on Saturday evening as they are guaranteed to finish third.

“I want us to put in a good performance at Marassi tomorrow against a team that were battling for a Champions League place for a long time,” Ranieri insisted.

“I haven’t chosen my formation yet, but I can confirm that Gigi Buffon will be rested and Cristiano Zanetti hasn’t recovered from his injury yet, so I doubt I will have him at my disposal.”

Buffon has been suffering from a back problem and will hand the gloves to understudy Emanuele Belardi in order to gain some extra rest ahead of Euro 2008.

While Ranieri doesn’t have any allegiances in the title race, he will be watching Inter travel to his former side Parma with interest.

“I’m not interested in the Scudetto battle – let the better side win – but I support Parma,” he stressed.

“I was happy at the Stadio Tardini where I found a healthy club with hard-working people. I would be happy if they managed to survive.”

Young starlet Sebastian Giovinco will be playing in a relegation battle against Livorno on Sunday as he is on loan for Empoli and many feel he is due a call back to Turin.

“He will finish the season and then we will make a decision,” Ranieri explained.

“We will quietly weigh up the situation as a mark of respect towards every side. He has had an excellent campaign, but I don’t want to discuss that yet.

“The summer transfer campaign will be crucial for the side to grow and year after year we have to improve.”

Juventus (probable): Belardi; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko, Tiago, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet

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