Zemen's first duel with Juventus this century, will take place on Saturday evening behind his enemy's lines. Juventus Stadium will be the setting for one of the biggest grudge matches of the season, and arguabley the most exciting fixture on the calcio calender.
Juve stretched their unbeaten record in the Serie A to an incredible 44 games during the midweek fixtures; but were extremely lucky to do so. It was backs to the wall at the Artemio Franchi, cut open time and time again by a well drilled Fiorentina who may have given Zdenek Zemen the necessary tactical artillery to defeat Juventus. Montella's Viola matched Conte's 3-5-2 and intensity; and with a lack of European commitments, Fiorentina looked a much brighter outfit than Juventus.
After being forced to rotate, Conte will likely field his strongest available line up this weekend. With Bonucci suffering a minor injury at the Artemio Franchi, young gun Luca Marrone is set to play in the biggest game of his career so far as a libero. Tactically, this could be a shrewd move by Conte. What Marrone may lack in the tackle, in a game that will be stretched from the get go, he could more than make up for with his passing range.
Out of all the managers currently in calcio; Zdenek Zemen would certainly be the one to get the most joy out of ending Juventus' record breaking unbeaten run. The Czech national has never exactly been an advocate of Juventus football club, there are very few purer hatreds than Zemen's one for La Vecchia Signora. This feeling is mutual however; and will be showcased by both the Juventini and the aggression of Zemen's players tonight.
Roma's 1-1 draw at home to Sampdoria, showed that whilst the Giallorossi can be the best team in Italy; at other times they are probably the worst. In the first half they were insatiable in attack, but defensive frailties cost them three points once again. To defeat the current Scudetto holders, Roma will have to use the blueprint layed down Fiorentina, and irraticate silly errors in defensive postitons.
Miralem Pjanic is expected to miss the Juventus fixture along with Dodo, but a returning Danielle De Rossi will give Roma's midfield a much added boost.
Juventus vs. Roma will not be a run of the mill football match, it will be a war. One team has everything to lose, the other has everything to gain. In a game with so much hate and passion surrounding it, the side who keeps their cool inside the volcanic Juventus Stadium will likely be the victors.
Juventus 11: Buffon, Barzagli, Marrone, Chiellini, Caceres, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah, Vucinic, Giovinco
Roma 11: Stekelenburg, Piris, Burdisso, Castan, Balzaretti, Bradley, De Rossi, Florenzi, Lamela, Osvaldo