Ferrara looks to defence

| Fri, 05/22/2009 - 03:19

Juventus caretaker manager Ciro Ferrara is looking to shore up a leaky defence as he bids to thwart Fiorentina's bid for Serie A's third automatic Champions League qualifying spot in the last two games of the season.

Juve, who sacked Claudio Ranieri in favour of the ex-Italy defender Monday, have let in 14 goals in the seven-goal winless run that saw Fiorentina close to within a point of third place and spurred Ranieri's downfall.

Former Juve and Napoli defensive legend Ferrara has let if be known that things must tighten up at Siena on Sunday and at home to Lazio on May 31.

''We'd better prop up the scaffolding before the house falls down,'' he said.

Juve are likely to be without Czech defender Zdenek Grygera at 13th-placed Siena, while left back Paolo De Ceglie is also doubtful.

That might force Ferrara, assistant to Marcello Lippi in the Azzurri coaching staff, to move Italy centre half Giorgio Chiellini out wide in place of De Ceglie and bring Sweden veteran Olof Mellberg back into the centre of defence.

Juve fans are hoping for an easy time against Siena, who are safe from relegation and have little left to prove - especially as rivals Fiorentina travel to last-placed Lecce.

Fiorentina will be confident of getting the three points in Puglia before a last-day home clash with second-placed Milan.

Milan, who host 6th-placed Roma on Sunday, will be looking to hold onto the three points that separate them from Juve in their games at the Olimpico and in Florence.

Inter Milan, ten points ahead of Milan, are basking in their scudetto glory and anticipating the arrival of Argentinian striker Diego Milito and Brazilian midfielder Thiego Motta from 5th-placed Genoa as coach Jose' Mourinho assembles an even mightier team aimed at winning the Champions League for the first time since the mid 1960s.

At the bottom, 18th-placed Bologna travel to 16th-placed Chievo while 17th-placed Torino host Genoa in a bid to avoid joining Reggina in Serie B.

Reggina was beaten 1-0 at Lazio Wednesday night to fall into the second flight after seven years in Serie A.

Lecce, four points behind Bologna, are favourites to join them and either Bologna or Torino, four and three points behind Chievo respectively, look likely to be the third team to bid goodbye to Serie A.

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