Palermo vs Juventus preview - Sicily trip the focus for Allegri

Posted Friday, March 13, 2015 by PA

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri knows his side must put all thoughts of next week's crunch Champions League last 16 clash at Borussia Dortmund aside when they take on Palermo on Saturday.

The Turin giants are 11 points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A and travel to Germany to face Dortmund on Tuesday after their game in Sicily needing to defend a 2-1 lead from the opening leg to reach the last eight of the competition.

"We begin a crucial stage of the season," Allegri told the Italian media.

"We haven't won the scudetto yet and Tuesday's game in Germany is a do-or-die affair. But we are taking it one game at a time.

"We expect a difficult game at Palermo. Palermo have done well this season and have taken 26 points at home.

"We need to be ready because they will come out very determined."

Juve must overcome the absence of pivotal midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba, with the former out injured and the latter suspended.

Pogba, whose goal handed Juve a 1-0 triumph over Sassuolo last time out, must serve a one-match ban this weekend.

Juve welcome back captain Gianluigi Buffon, who has recovered from the flu and will take his place between the posts.

Allegri is set to rest Serie A's leading scorer Carlos Tevez as well as Spanish forward Alvaro Morata, with Fernando Llorente expected to lead the Bianconeri's attack.

Palermo lost 2-0 at Juve earlier this season and expect a stern test against the Italian defending champions.

Juve have lost just once this season and have won 18 of their 26 Serie A games.

"Juve already have one hand on the scudetto because an 11-point advantage is a lot," Palermo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino said.

"But they will nevertheless not give anything away from here until the end of the season.

"A draw would be a good result for us."

The islanders, who gained promotion to Italy's top flight last summer, are riding a 10-match unbeaten home run.

Giuseppe Iachini's men are two wins away from being able to plan for another season in Serie A.

Palermo have drawn their last two league games and have not conceded a goal in the process.

Last weekend's goalless result at Cesena left Palermo 11th in the standings. The hosts are without injured defenders Giancarlo Gonzalez and Michael Morganella.