Ex-players hold key to Juve’s pursuit of Milan

Playing today Parma    vs    Milan    19:00 Fiorentina    vs Juventus    21:45

Friday, March 16, 2012

Playing todayParma    vs    Milan    19:00 Fiorentina    vs Juventus    21:45    Playing on SundayCagliari    vs    Cesena     13:30 Inter     vs    Atalanta     16:00 Bologna     vs    ChievoCatania    vs    LazioSiena    vs    NovaraLecce    vs    PalermoUdinese    vs    Napoli     21:45Playing on Monday AS Roma    vs    Genoa     21:45    ROME Juventus hope former forward Amauri does not suddenly find his form this weekend and further curtail their Serie A title bid while another ex could boost their chances if Sebastian Giovinco downs leaders AC Milan.Brazil-born Amauri signed for Juventus for 22 million euros ($28.66 million) from Palermo in 2008 but after a promising start his career nosedived and he now plays for struggling Fiorentina, who host Juve on Saturday.Italy coach Cesare Prandelli gave Amauri his international debut in 2010 but it turned out to be his only cap and the 31-year-old’s last goal was on loan at Parma last April."Amauri has promised me his first goal for Fiorentina this Saturday,” the Florence club’s chief executive Sandro Mencucci told reporters.Juve, who have slipped four points behind champions Milan after drawing three straight matches, will think it is just their recent luck if Amauri breaks his drought against them.Still, to many Juve fans the fact they are in a title race after several seasons of woe following their 2006 match-fixing demotion is progress enough.While hoping Amauri does not score on Saturday, Juve will be urging on fellow former forward Sebastian Giovinco when his stuttering Parma side entertain Milan.Robinho is a slight doubt for Milan after injuring his calf in training while Philippe Mexes is banned but Clarence Seedorf and Maxi Lopez may be fit enough to return on the bench.