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Conte set to shuffle pack in Coppa Italia
Antonio Conte affirms he wants to go far in the Coppa Italia as Juventus get ready for a quarter final showdown with Roma, but also concedes he will make changes.
Juve booked their place in the final eight with an extra-time victory over Bologna, while Roma comfortably dispatched of Fiorentina.
“It’s a competition in which we want to go forward. We’ll give our utmost to get through to the next round, whilst remaining aware of the difficulties that could lie ahead,” Conte told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
The hosts will be forced into a few changes as Claudio Marchisio, Simone Pepe and Mirko Vucinic are all injured, while Eljero Elia is also missing. Gianluigi Buffon will be rested for the clash.
“We’ll definitely change certain things around. Both due to the injury situation and to give an opportunity to those who have played less. So we’ll look to do what we possibly can - given that we only have five defenders and the same amount of midfielders - to hand an important chance to those who have deserved it.
“Marchisio’s replacement needs to have similar characteristics. I think that [Emanuele] Giaccherini appears the most likely, for the way in which he breaks forward and the quality he shows. Then there’s [Luca] Marrone - a player who is developing in a remarkable manner. He could also step in for [Andrea] Pirlo when required, he’s capable of covering all three midfield roles.”
The match will be played between the Cup’s two most successful clubs, as Juve and Roma both have nine triumphs to their name. Roma are on a four-match winning streak and Conte praised opposite number Luis Enrique: “Roma are doing very well. They have their own identity and a precise idea of how they want to play. Luis Enrique’s doing an excellent job.”
Juventus squad: Chiellini, Pazienza, Del Piero, De Ceglie, Manninger, Barzagli, Quagliarella, Bonucci, Pirlo, Vidal, Borriello, Giaccherini, Lichtsteiner, Krasic, Estigarribia, Storari, Branescu, Matri, Marrone.
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