Del Piero back against Roma

Del Piero back against Roma
Thursday 30 October, 2008

Alessandro Del Piero will be back to lead Juventus’ attack in Saturday’s big clash against Roma.

The Bianconeri captain was rested in the midweek round and according to Dr Riccardo Agricola he will be 100 per cent fit to face the Giallorossi.

Claudio Ranieri is also planning to have two other key players back in Zdenek Grygera and Nicola Legrottaglie.

Juventus’ injury list has grown incredibly long in recent weeks with more than 11 players unavailable, but now the situation is improving rapidly for the Old Lady.

Hasan Salihamidzic, Christian Poulsen and Paolo De Ceglie should be back against Chievo in Week 11. Dario Knezevic and Jonathan Zebina will not be called upon against Roma but will return to train with the team on Monday.

Cristiano Zanetti has fully recovered from his long-term injury but Ranieri wants to avoid any risks and will take his return slowly.

Juventus claimed three points from Bologna’s historically hostile Stadio Dall’Ara last night. Man of the match Pavel Nedved netted a brace while former Bianconero Marco Di Vaio scored Bologna’s consolation goal.

“It was a good result because there are players who I am using more than others at the moment and eventually they will have to rest,” said Ranieri.

Tiago Mendes made a positive return in midfield after a long while out and the Portuguese performance was surprisingly above expectations.

“I was impressed, he was excellent for more than 60 minutes,” noted Ranieri. “Perhaps this year he doesn’t feel the pressure so much and this may help him.”

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