Coppa Italia: Juventus vs Lazio

TURIN (Sporting Alert) — Serie A leaders Juventus will play host to Lazio in the Coppa Italia semi-final match on Tuesday night.

Competition: Coppa Italia
Date: January 22, 2013
Kick-off: 1:45 PM ET
On aggregate: 0 – 0
Venue: Juventus Stadium (Torino)

The two Italian giants have a rich history in the past, having met 19 times in the Italian National Cup.

Lazio currently hold the advantage in the series, but Juventus are on good form this season and is being back to take the victory tonight.

At the same time, Lazio have won the last two Coppa Italia meetings between the sides – coming out 2-1 on both occasions in 2009.

The last time Juventus were triumphant over Lazio in the domestic Cup competition was in 2000, when current manager Antonio Conte and French legend Zinedine Zidane were both on target in the 3-2 quarter-final first leg victory.

The two clubs are currently battling in the Serie A standings, with the defending champions leading at the moment.

Juventus come into this game on the back of a dominating 4-0 win over Udinese in the Serie A on Saturday. Former Manchester United youngster Paul Pogba scored two impressive goals, including a first half stunning half-volley from way out.

But the home side continues to be without Giorgio Chiellini, Nicklas Bendtner, Andrea Pirlo, Simone Pepe and Fabio Quagliarella.

Lazio are currently being bothered by injuries and it could affect the outcome of the contest tonight.

Key German striker Miroslav Klose, did not recover from an injury and will not feature, with Ederson, Abdoullay Konko and Andre Dias, who is out because of suspension, also unavailable.

STARTING TEAMS

Juventus FC: Storari; Barzagli, Bonucci, Peluso; Isla, Vidal, Marrone, Pogba,Giaccherini; Marchisio; Matri

Lazio FC: Marchetti; Biava, Cana, Ciani; Cavanda, Gonzalez, Ledesma, Hernanes,Lulic; Mauri; Floccari