Juve hope to win for absent stars

ROME – Juventus host Genoa hoping the possible absence of key players has the same effect as it did last week when the champions hit four past Udinese to open up a five-point gap at the top of Serie A.

Friday, January 25, 2013

SaturdayLazio     vs Chievo     18:00 Juventus     vs     Genoa     20:45SundayBologna     vs     Roma     12:30 Atalanta     vs     Milan    15:00Cagliari     vs     Palermo, Catania     vs     Fiorentina, Parma     vs     Napoli, Sampdoria     vs     Pescara, Udinese     vs     Siena Inter     vs     Torino     20:45    ROME – Juventus host Genoa hoping the possible absence of key players has the same effect as it did last week when the champions hit four past Udinese to open up a five-point gap at the top of Serie A.Juve were without several key players, including midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio, last week but ran out 4-0 winners after French teenager Paul Pogba hit two superb goals.With title rivals Napoli and Lazio both being held, Juve stretched their lead and are favourites to do so again against a Genoa side which has just replaced sacked coach Gigi Del Neri with Davide Ballardini.Del Neri was axed late on Sunday as the north-west coast side returned to the relegation zone following a 2-0 home defeat to minnows Catania.Juventus on Thursday confirmed the signing of Spain international striker Fernando Llorente, who will arrive at the club on July 1 on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao."He’s a great player and he’ll strengthen our team but we shouldn’t forget about our current strikers who are just as good,” said Juve midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini.Although Pirlo is set to watch from the sidelines, alongside injured striker Mirko Vucinic, midfielder Pogba is in scintillating form, meaning Ballardini could face a baptism of fire on what is his his second spell with Genoa.