Claudio Ranieri fears Juventus will be a little too relaxed in their last game before Christmas in Bergamo. “There are too many distractions.”
There has been a celebratory atmosphere for the last week with victory over Milan, the club’s Christmas party and the Champions League draw.
“There have been too many distractions this week, I don’t want the team to get influenced by that,” noted the Coach.
“We cannot ruin the last two wonderful months by ending the year on a low point. This is why we need the best Juventus in Bergamo.”
It is a tough test for the side that is six points off leaders Inter, as Atalanta have one of the strongest home records in Serie A.
“The statistics are like X-Rays for a team. This means Atalanta are a good side who express themselves at a high level on their own turf, are tactically organised and close down spaces effectively. I know full well what Gigi Del Neri can do.
“In any case, we need to focus only on ourselves and not the name of the team in front of us, whether it is Atalanta, Inter or Chelsea.
“When you step on to that field, you just have to give your best and adapt to the opponents’ characteristics to face them effectively.”
Mauro Camoranesi, Pavel Nedved and Vincenzo Iaquinta are on the long list of absentees, but Nicola Legrottaglie returns after his ban expired.
Alessandro Del Piero will start after he was voted Italian Sports Personality of the Year.
“We are pleased he is receiving this personal recognition, but his success is as a result of what he does with the team,” added Ranieri.
“It is a pleasure to have him with us and to see him train every day.”
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