Juventus vs Brescia Prevew - Juventus bid to keep Euro hopes alive

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Posted Sunday, March 20, 2011 by PA

Juventus host Brescia knowing their hopes of playing European football next season remain in the balance.

The Turin giants lie seventh in Serie A - seven points behind Roma, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

Last weekend's 2-2 draw at Cesena extended Juve's winless run to four games.

With just two wins in their last nine league games, Luigi Del Neri's men know they have to stand up and be counted.

"We are angry and disappointed," said Juventus midfielder Simone Pepe.

"Results are not coming our way and it is frustrating.

"I understand that the fans are unhappy just as we are, but we are all eager to return to victory as soon as possible.

"We know in football anything is possible and aims can change from one month to the next.

"We just have to get a good run of results to get back on track."

Juve suffered a blow ahead of Sunday's match with striker Vincenzo Iaquinta out for the rest of the season.

The Italy international got hurt in training this week and will be sidelined for at least three months with a left thigh injury.

Iaquinta's absence is a further blow for Del Neri with his team having already lost Leandro Rinaudo, Mohamed Sissoko and Fabio Quagliarella to season-ending injuries.

Moreover, Juve defender Marco Motta serves a one-match ban on Sunday.

Brescia sent out a warning to Juve after holding scudetto hopefuls Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw last weekend.

"I think Brescia will play as they did against Inter," said Pepe. "They will defend and try to make the most of their chances.

"We will have to be patient in order to beat them."

Fortunately for Juve, Brescia will not be at full strength.

Club coach Giuseppe Iachini will be forced to reshuffle his starting XI with the Rondinelle having to do without the services of suspended trio Jonathan Zebina, Andrea Caracciolo and Perparim Hetemaj.

Brescia are 19th in the standings, three points behind safety.