Juventus vs Genoa preview - Giaccherini: Juve can win treble

Posted Saturday, January 26, 2013 by PA

Emanuele Giaccherini is setting his dream of winning the treble with Juventus to one side for the Serie A meeting with Genoa, who are under new management.

The former Cesena midfielder realises the Bianconeri are under increased scrutiny as they bid to retain the Serie A title, to progress to the last eight of the Champions League and to book a place in the Coppa Italia final.

But Giaccherini feels Juventus are good enough to win all three competitions and dismissed concerns over dropped points against Sampdoria and Parma.

He told juventus.com: "Last year, we earned a record number of points and were undefeated through a victorious Serie A campaign. So obviously when we don't win, it's big news.

"We have a five-point lead on Lazio and Napoli and we'll be giving our all in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.

"We dream of being able to win everything but we're keeping our feet firmly on the ground and just concentrating on our next game against Genoa.

"I scored against the Rossoblu earlier in the season, but that's in the past. I am staying focused on the present and on Saturday's game.

"We have to win and try to extend our lead at the top."

Juventus made significant moves to improve their future prospects this week, first by handing a two-year contract extension to veteran goalkeeper and club captain Gianluigi Buffon, and then by announcing the summer arrival of Spain striker Fernando Llorente.

Giaccherini said of the Athletic Bilbao man: "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."

Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini, Simone Pepe and Nicklas Bendtner are all missing through injury, with defender Leonardo Bonucci struggling for fitness.

Bosko Jankovic and Juan Vargas are missing for Genoa, who arrive in Turin under their third head coach of the season in the shape of Davide Ballardini.

Former Juventus boss Luigi Del Neri left the Rossoblu in the relegation zone and three points from safety with a return of two wins from 13 games, but Ballardini is cautiously optimistic he can make a difference.

"We need a compact and organised team that knows how to defend," he said. "It will have to be an excellent performance in Turin.

"We have a squad full of highly professional lads who want to pull us out of this situation. I know we can have a great game.

"Genoa will need to have the intensity of a knight on horseback going into battle."

Juventus have emerged victorious from four of their last five attempts at this fixture, with Genoa failing to claim a league win in this game since 1991.