Lech Poznan vs Juventus Preview - Chiellini wary of cold snap

Posted Wednesday, December 01, 2010 by ESPN

Juventus will have to defy sub-zero temperatures to get a result in the Europa League Group A clash at Lech Poznan.

"We will face polar temperatures,'' Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini said. "It's going to be tough but we will have to keep warm by running a lot.''

Juve travel to the Miejski Stadion still searching for their first win in the group after four straight draws.

They are third in the standings, three points behind joint-leaders Lech Poznan and Manchester City with two games remaining.

With the Turin giants hosting Roberto Mancini4s City in the final group game on December 16, Juve know the importance of Wednesday4s match for their hopes of continuing in the competition.

"We want to win at Lech and qualify,'' winger Simone Pepe said. "This game is very important to us.

"It's true that we haven't played great so far in this competition, but the fact that we are still alive in the competition means that our rivals have not done that well either. But we must win tomorrow.''

Juve head into the encounter unbeaten in 10 league games. Saturday's 1-1 draw against Fiorentina lifted the Bianconeri to third in Serie A, six points behind leaders AC Milan.

"The mood in the camp is good and we are ready,'' Pepe added. "We showed it against Fiorentina.''

Luigi Del Neri's side can expect to meet a Poznan side hungry for victory. Three points tomorrow would see the Poles progress to the last 32 with a game to spare.

Lech have reason to be confident as they have yet to lose a game at home in the competition.

Lech coach Jose Maria Bakero will be hoping his side can show the same determination against Juve that they displayed in their 3-1 triumph over Manchester City a fortnight ago.

That result handed Bakero a winning start after the Spaniard replaced the sacked Jacek Zieliski earlier this month.

Lech were held to a goalless draw at Korona Kielce at the weekend, a result that saw them drop to 11th in the Polish first division.

Juve will be without defender Marco Motta, who is out with a back injury, but will be bolstered by the return of striker Vincenzo Iaquinta. Iaquinta has recovered from flu and is set to lead Juve's attack alongside Alessandro Del Piero.