Claudio Ranieri warns Juventus that the Milan derby is “irrelevant” and they need to focus on getting all three points against Sampdoria.
If Milan win the derby, then they will get back into the title race and above all allow Juve to close in on leaders Inter.
“I’m not going to watch the derby, what they do is irrelevant,” said the Coach of Sunday night’s showdown.
“I am a positive person and will turn the result in my favour, whatever it turns out to be. All we must be focused on is getting three important points against Sampdoria.
“We need to continue playing with enthusiasm and the hunger to do well. We cannot take this test lightly, especially as we are facing [Antonio] Cassano and [Giampaolo] Pazzini.
“We all know Cassano, he is having a great season and is capable of putting very dangerous balls into the box for Pazzini. The ex-Fiorentina striker is in good shape and excellent in the air. He’ll want to prove himself after finding little space at his old club.”
As for the Bianconeri, Giorgio Chiellini is back in the side, but David Trezeguet has been left out after straining a muscle during training.
“Trezeguet had this little problem after the friendly test with Chisola, so with the medical staff we decided to rest him, as we don’t want to go looking for more trouble.
“[Nicola] Legrottaglie has back pain and came back from international duty not 100 per cent fit, so I’ll have to talk it over with him before deciding if he starts or not.
“The friendly with Brazil was very useful for [Mauro] Camoranesi, as he needed to get that match fitness back.”
Momo Sissoko joins the injury list with Hasan Salihamidzic, Cristiano Zanetti, Paolo De Ceglie, Jonathan Zebina, Dario Knezevic and the suspended Vincenzo Iaquinta.
Juventus squad: 1 Buffon, 3 Chiellini, 4 Mellberg, 8 Amauri, 10 Del Piero, 11 Nedved, 13 Manninger, 16 Camoranesi, 18 Poulsen, 19 Marchisio, 20 Giovinco, 21 Grygera, 27 Ekdal, 28 Molinaro, 30 Tiago, 32 Marchionni, 33 Legrottaglie, 41 Ariaudo
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