Del Piero To Partner Trezeguet

The Bianconeri return to Europe’s premier club competition tonight when they host Slovakian champions Artmedia in the third qualifying round first leg at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

There has been much talk in the press over who will play up-front for Juve, with Claudio Ranieri spoilt for choice with Del Piero, Trezeguet, Amauri and Vincenzo Iaquinta.

According to the latest reports, The Tinkerman has opted to go for the two most experienced options by pairing Serie A’s two top scorers from last season; Del Piero and Trezeguet. Iaquinta and Amauri will probably have to settle for places on the bench.

Juventus are without a host of players for the match, with Cristiano Zanetti, Marco Marchionni, Claudio Marchisio and Dario Knezevic injured, and Pavel Nedved suspended. Sebastian Giovinco and Paolo De Ceglie are on Olympic duty.

Christian Poulsen will make his official debut in midfield alongside Momo Sissoko, while Cristian Molinaro should return from injury at left back.

Probable Line-Ups:

Juventus (4-4-2): 1 Buffon, 21 Grygera, 4 Mellberg, 3 Chiellini, 28 Molinaro, 16 Camoranesi, 22 Sissoko, 18 Poulsen, 7 Salihamidzic, 10 Del Piero, 17 Trezeguet. Subs: (13 Manninger, 5 Zebina, 33 Legrottaglie, 27 Ekdal, 35 Esposito, 8 Amauri, 9 Iaquinta).

Artmedia (3-4-3): 1 Kamenar, 2 Farkas, 19 Cisowski, 17 Salata, 21 Urbanek, 12 Obzera, 23 Velicky, 25 Kozar, 9 Halenar, 22 Pospech, 13 Piroska. Subs: (30 Hyll, 24 Burak, 28 Szabo, 20 Fodrek, 0 Hasek, 11 Silva, 14 Oravec).

Gianni Wilson