Pirlo-less Juve ready for crucial week

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has called for focus as the champions prepare for life without key midfielder Andrea Pirlo ahead of crucial trips to Bologna and Galatasaray.

Juventus pulled clear of the Serie A pack for the first time this season last week when a 1-0 win over Udinese, coupled with Roma's fourth consecutive draw, gave Conte's men a three-point cushion over the Giallorossi.

However that win came at a cost – experienced international Pirlo limping out with knee ligament damage after 15 minutes and now expected to be sidelined at least until January.

Pirlo's absence will perhaps most be felt next Tuesday when Juve face Galatasaray in Istanbul, where a draw would secure the Serie A champions' ticket to the last 16 of the Champions League.

But Conte is not too concerned.

"I've got three eclectic players who could step in and play his position – (Arturo) Vidal, (Paul) Pogba and (Claudio) Marchisio," said Conte.

"Paul can easily slip in because he's a natural in that central role. But depending on the circumstances, I've yet to decide who will play in front of the defence."

Before their trip to Turkey, Juve will be looking for an easy three points which, if Roma concede defeat at Fiorentina, could give the Bianconeri a morale-boosting six-point lead at the top of the table.

With Bologna having won only once at home this season, Conte is expected to ring the changes and rest key players ahead of next week's European challenge.

But he said that didn't mean his side could take their eye off the ball.

"We need to keep focus," added Conte. "I will send out the team that I believe is required."

A win at Bologna could send Juve six points clear if Fiorentina claim all three points against Roma, who started the season with a record-setting 10 opening wins but have since stuttered in the absence of injured captain Francesco Totti.

Fiorentina sit in fifth spot and, having suffered three defeats to Roma last season – twice in the league and once in the Cup – atonement could be on the cards, says Serbian defender Nenad Tomovic.

Only three days after a thrilling 4-3 win over Verona, Tomovic said beating Roma would boost their Champions League hopes.

"It's time to make amends. It's not a decisive game for us, the championship still has a long way to go, but if we take another positive result on Sunday it will give a boost to our objective this season," he said.

Napoli, who sit third three points behind Roma, claimed a precious 4-2 away win over Lazio on Monday when Gonzalo Higuain got back to scoring ways with a brace for the Partenopei.

Rafael Benitez's men host Udinese on Saturday looking to avoid an upset that would threaten their four-point lead on Inter, who host Parma on Sunday with on-form striker Antonio Cassano returning to the San Siro for the first time since his departure last season.

Milan's 3-1 win over Catania last week was their first in six games and, thanks to results elsewhere, helped pushed the struggling Serie A giants up to eighth.

The Rossoneri, however, are still 20 points adrift of Juventus and 14 shy of Napoli in the first Champions League qualifying position.

Massimiliano Allegri's side face their second successive away trip, to struggling Livorno on Saturday, when Kaka has the chance to score his 100th goal for the club.

Catania, meanwhile, travel north to a resurgent Sampdoria with the sounds of angry fans probably still fresh.

The Sicilian side sit bottom of the table and their recent slump has prompted the ire of fans, 1000 or so of whom turned up to and interrupted training on Thursday after launching insults at the squad.

Fixtures

Friday
Bologna v Juventus

Saturday
Livorno v Milan
Napoli v Udinese

Sunday
Roma v Fiorentina
Cagliari v Genoa
Verona v Atalanta
Sampdoria v Catania
Sassuolo v Chievo
Torino v Lazio
Inter v Parma