Claudio Ranieri claims he’ll only pick his line-up against Lazio overnight after losing half the Juventus defence.
Giorgio Chiellini has been ruled out, joining Jonathan Zebina, Hasan Salihamidzic, Dario Knezevic, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet on the treatment table, while Zdenek Grygera is suspended.
“I feel the same way I have done for a while now, although usually I had these problems in midfield, but I have splendid players at my disposal who can adapt to any situation,” said the Coach.
“Of course we will need the best Juve to face off against a Lazio side in good form. It’s going to be a difficult game and we are finding our rhythm.
“At the start of the season I tipped Lazio to impress and last year they paid the price for injuries, but are back to the level they were at when they qualified for the Champions League.
“Now they are in great shape and can count on a trident of quality and pace. We have to keep tight and double up on marking.”
The 19-year-old youth team defender Lorenzo Ariaudo could play in defence, as he did in the Coppa Italia against Catania midweek, while Christian Poulsen and Olof Mellberg are other options, moving Paolo De Ceglie to right-back.
“We will not go back on to the transfer market and I am convinced that in the next two weeks we’ll have everyone back at our disposal.”
Last weekend the Bianconeri closed the gap from Serie A leaders Inter to four points, although the Coach deflects questions on the title race.
“I am not looking at the table, as I will only do that in the last six weeks. For now all I’m interested in is improving. We’ve got to focus on staying in the hunt and working hard.”
Ranieri has experience of bottomless club coffers thanks to his time at Chelsea, so he has a particular insight into Manchester City’s £108m bid for Kaka.
“We must always welcome people who invest in football. The important thing is that they don’t create holes.
“As a sportsman it would disappoint me to see him leave, because he is a great champion. Milan would certainly be different without Kaka, but we’d have to see who they brought in if the Brazilian left.
“I hope City do not tempt any of our players, seeing as they appear to be focusing on others and I hope never to have the problems Carlo Ancelotti is dealing with right now.”
City had been interested in Gianluigi Buffon, but the Juventus goalkeeper laughed off the reports of a swoop.
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