This is probably the derby of Champions League second round. The best German and Italian club meet in the same group after several years. Ambitions are still the same, to conquer Europe, while both clubs made a revolution in their squad during the summer. They have new managers and a lot of money was invested so it will be interesting to see which one of them will recover first from the latest failures in domestic championship. However, Bayern are in a slightly better position in group A. Bavarians opened the competition with a win over Israeli champions, while Juve only got to a slim 1:1 draw against Bordeaux.

Juve lost their first points in the new season in Genoa. They played well and we thought they deserved to win. Still, they even came in the position to lose the game at the end, but Trezeguet still saved their skin. There was no need to weep over it, they are sharing the top seat with Inter and, after all, a point from Marassi is not a bad score more so if you play without a couple of your best players. Bologna are arriving to town this weekend, Juventus’ win shouldn’t be put in danger, not once, but the players are already thinking about Wednesday and a Champions League visit to Munich. Emiliani picked up their first win in the season having beaten Livorno. That wasn’t a memorable performance, but the pressure was huge. After two opening defeats, Bologna lost to Chievo and Milan and, if you want to stay up, you need to beat your direct relegation rivals at your own grounds.

The last game of the midweek round will see Juventus arrive at Marasi. Both teams had maximum efficiency till last weekend, three wins in three games, but Juve beat Livorno on Saturday, while Genoa lost in Verona a day after that. That is not the best introduction for this game, but nevertheless we expect fireworks at Marasi. Gasperini rested his key players for this match, which is why he paid in Verona. Several starters will be back now to boost the confidence. Juventus are still without Diego and Del Piero, while Sissok and Cannavaro are out too. The good news is that Felipe Melo recovered, so bianconeri midfield will be even stronger. Last year they lost 3:2 in an excellent match but they had a lot of complaints on the referees. This season’s Juventus are more confident than in the last few years, and in spite of the injury problems they are slightly favoured here.

Juventus opened the domestic championship with three wins which is surely a great result if you have in mind two of those games were outings to Rome. they crashed Roma, were lucky against Lazio, but so far they are pushing up great. Injuries are again troubling the squad, fans are already afraid the last season could repeat itself when they had even 12 sidelined players at one point. Tuesday brought them a Champions League draw with Bordeaux which is certainly not what they had hoped for, but this is till the beginning. Livorno are coming to Olimpico on Saturday night. Livorno held Milan to a draw in the last round and they can be pleased with the new season in the top flyer since they had a tough schedule. After the opening draw with Cagliari which was all about not losing, they were beaten in Naples, but managed to take a point against rossoneri. They are expecting their greatest aces Lucarelli and Tavano to start working as soon as possible.

This game will be a derby match of the Group A and Italians are somehow inevitable rivals to the French side in the last two years of Champions League. French champions were in the same group with Roma last year, failing to reach the second phase. This year, it will be even harder since they are to face Juventus who are the leading team of Serie A with nine points in three rounds. it will be vital for Juve to open the season with a win which would allow them to take control and lead this group alongside Bayern Munich. However, Bordeaux are a great side, led by the excellent Gourcuff they are playing great at the start of the season and they will most certainly not put out the white flag at Olimpico. their greatest Champions League spell in 1985 was abruptly ended exactly by Juvenuts in the semis. The Old Lady beat them and after that won their first ever European title beating Liverpool in the memorable final. Still, manager Blanc and his players give not much regard to the history although they don’t have the best of score against the Italians sides away, two draws.

This will be third round’s derby game. Only two weeks after the lesson they gave Roma, Juve are coming back to Olimpico. this time, they will have Lazio who are in much better form than their neighbors and who are with full bags are two rounds just like Juventus. Laziali won the Super Cup too, they qualified for Europa League and everything is going smooth for them. They weren’t so great in Verona against Cheivo, but they did win and that is the only that matters. As far as Juventus are concerned, the entire Italy and the entire Europe is hooked up on Diegomania. The Brazilian played like insane against Roma, he defeated them singlehandedly and if he keeps up the rhythm throughout the season, Juventus will be the main title candidates. We will only remind you that Ferrara lacks couple of more players, most of all Sissoko and that strikers Amauri and Iaquinta didn’t have the best of times against Roma. Had they been a bit more accurate, Juventus could’ve packed Romans’ net full. We will see if they had saved some amo for Lazio excellent keeper, Musler.

This will be one of two great derbies of the Serie A second round and a great chance for the title contenders to see where they stand at the beginning. As far as Roma are concerned, they have manage a great return to Champions League, while Juventus will be searching the 30th title. Goals galore at Olimpico saw Roma beat Kosice and snatching their place in the Champions League group stage which will still not be the priority for this team. Juventus opened the new season beating Chievo and showing two sides of the medal, great one in the first half and inability to close the deal in the second compromising the win. Still, they won and that is the only thing coach Ferrara cares about. There is plenty of time to make impressive performances and it will certainly come as soon as Del Piero, Sissoko, Melo come back on the field. These are all man who should be key players in the new season. Juve are going to the eternal city with a strong determination to win. In defender Chiellini’s words, this game will be a great test for new team’s ambitions and the real picture of the strength of this rebuilt squad.

Last year Chievo managed to stay unbeaten against Juventus for the second time in their history; they managed to fight a 3:3 draw at Olimpico and Veronesi captain, Sergio Pelliser played the match of his life, having outsmarted Buffon three times. This match was a sign of the big crisis for the „old lady“ and it was the beginning of the end of Claudio Ranieri on the bench of the biggest Italian club. Now, few months later, Juventus fans have plenty of reasons for optimism. Actually, the club did a good job in the transfer window, Diego and Melo arrived, while Cannavaro is back. They seem much stronger than last season and they will be the main title contenders. Ferrara made his debut in two matches last season but now he will start his first season on the bench. Preparation period showed Juve’s progress, and the creativity they lacked in the last two seasons. The change of formation contributed to this, so „flying donkeys” keeper Sorrentino won’t have it easy on Sunday night.

Instead of competition being held in Korea, as it was planned in the first place, the bad weather and time zone, the competition was moved to Europe, to Spain. The hosts will have two of their representatives, Real Madrid and Sevilla that will play in front of their fans, while the rest of the matches will be played at Malaga, Kserez and Huelva stadiums.

Turbulent season for Juve ends on Sunday. For the first time in 40 years, they have sacked the coach during the season, while they will finish second if they beat Lazio, but second place is not good enough for Old Lady. They have already made some good moves as Cannavaro returned, while Brazilian Diego, who is tipped for big things, arrived from Werder. It is still unclear who will lead the team next season. Lazio have got the same dilemma even though they have won Coppa Italia. President Lotito is still negotiating with coach Rossi, as it seems that money is the problem regarding Rossi’s new deal. Lazio don’t have enough money and they will struggle to keep all their stars at the club. They face big problems despite very successful season.