Juventus vs Catania preview - Del Neri: Anything can happen

Posted Saturday, April 23, 2011 by PA

Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri is hoping the club will win at Catania to trigger a late-season run that would qualify the Biaconeri for the 2011/12 Champions League.

The Turin outfit are eight points behind Lazio, who are fourth in Serie A with only the top four sides earning spots in Europe's elite club competition.

"There are five games remaining and anything can happen," said Del Neri, whose team drew last week with Fiorentina.

"I don't think Inter (Milan) will take it easy against Lazio (on Saturday) and if we reduce our current gap with Lazio, then anything is possible. But we must focus on our game and take three points on Saturday."

A winning streak would help Del Neri's chances of remaining in charge for another campaign.

Juve have yet to confirm if the veteran coach, who joined Juve last summer and is under contract until June 2012, will be at the helm.

According to media speculation, Juventus are considering a change and may try to bring former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti or Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini to the club.

Catania, meanwhile, are 14th and just four points clear of the drop zone after last weekend's 4-1 home defeat to Lazio.

The coach of the Sicilian club, Diego Simeone, believes his team will bounce back.

"All my players want to feature in this game," Simeone said.

"I hope and I am confident that the team will react from our loss to Lazio.

"I know my players are extremely motivated to do well in Turin and bring home a positive result."