Palermo vs Juventus preview - Matri can give Del Neri lift

Posted Wednesday, February 02, 2011 by PA

Juventus boss Luigi Del Neri is glad to see the back of January after his side suffered a miserable first month of the year.

Juve won just one of their five Serie A games last month, drawing one and losing the rest, including a 4-1 thrashing at home to Parma and a 3-0 loss at Napoli.

Their last game of January also ended in defeat at home to Udinese, leaving the club seventh in the table, just one point and one place above opponents Palermo.

"In this month of January we've suffered greatly, now we'll try to roll our sleeves up, making an effort from now until May," Del Neri said.

Del Neri finally had some good news with the signing of striker Alessandro Matri from Cagliari on loan for the rest of the season.

It remains to be seen whether Matri will figure against Palermo - "I'm ready, our manager will make his decision," Matri said - but the 26-year-old has spoken of his delight at moving to Turin.

"Now I'm in high spirits, I hope that my great enthusiasm can influence the whole group," he said on the club's official website.

"I'm very happy to be here in Torino, joining an important team was my target. Therefore, I thank the club for the efforts done but Cagliari as well, because they gave me this chance."

Matri will provide cover for a Juve forward line that has been hit hard by injuries, with Fabio Quagliarella out for the rest of the season and Luca Toni also currently sidelined.

The Bianconeri have paid 2.5million euros for the six-month deal which gives them the option of signing the 26-year-old for a fee of 15.5million euros, to be paid over three years, in the summer.

Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci is ruled out through suspension after being sent off against Udinese, while Palermo also have two banned players, defensive duo Ezequiel Munoz and Morris Carrozzieri.

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