Juventus vs Genoa preview - Veloso - Too early for alarm bells

Posted Saturday, October 22, 2011 by PA

Genoa midfielder Miguel Veloso insists his team has nothing to lose when they take on in-form Juventus in Turin.

Juventus head into this weekend's fixtures flying high at the top of the Serie A table and still unbeaten after six games this season.

In contrast, Genoa go into the match having lost their way of late, taking just one point from their last three fixtures having started the campaign in impressive fashion by picking up seven points from a possible nine.

Nevertheless, Veloso said: "I think that Juventus are the best opponent for us to tackle at this delicate moment.

"They are certainly a strong team who are fighting to win the Scudetto so the incentive to beat them from our point of view is not lacking."

A positive result at Juventus would ease the pressure on Genoa coach Alberto Malesani.

Malesani was handed a vote of confidence by club president Enrico Preziosi after last weekend's goalless draw against Lecce, a result that saw the Grifoni drop to 11th place.

Malesani, who joined Genoa this summer from Bologna, has led the club to just two wins so far this season.

"We cannot yet talk of crisis after just six rounds, it is really too early to do so," Veloso said. "We must be able to work calmly and without distraction.

"We are aware of our strengths because this group is very compact and has great respect for the coach."

Juventus coach Antonio Conte will be without injured striker Emanuele Giaccherini while goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is doubtful after sustaining a shoulder injury in training this week.

Genoa will be without Kakha Kaladze as the veteran defender serves the first of a four-match ban.