A tough city derby against Torino awaits Serie A leaders Juventus on Sunday as the season heats up with the resumption of continental tournaments.
The champions from Turin are at home to Turkish side Trabzonspor for Europa League duty on Thursday, and will again have the Juventus Stadium roaring for them against their in-form city rivals.
Torino won 3-1 at Verona last weekend, where Juve drew 2-2 a week earlier, and moved to 36 points, three away from fifth place, which awards a Europa League berth.
"On Sunday we want to give our 100 per cent. Let's try not to wear down before then," club president Urbano Cairo said. "We must not think about the derby until Sunday. What matters is to train well this week, gearing up mentally and tactically at our best." Juve coach Antonio Conte pondered his team's schedule if they progress in the Europa League, and counted 16 games in the next seven weeks, including national team friendlies in early March.
"I will do the necessary rotations, otherwise it would be impossible to tackle such a programme," Conte said. "I will need the whole roster, because Juve want to honour at their best both home and European duties.
"Maybe someone will turn up his nose at my formations. They will have to accept them." Changes in defence are forced for Conte this week as international defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli nurse injuries.
Defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Martin Caceres are likely to fill in next to Leonardo Bonucci, and try to restrain the in-form Ciro Immobile, who with 13 goals sits alongside Juve's Carlos Tevez in the scoring chart.
The Bianconeri have won all 12 league games played at their stadium this season and hold a nine-point lead over Roma, who trail on 54 with a game in hand. Roma open the weekend Saturday at lowly Bologna.
The Sunday programme starts with struggling Livorno hosting Verona and is followed by Inter Milan v Cagliari, Chievo v Catania, Udinese v Atalanta and Sampdoria v AC Milan.
The lacklustre Rossoneri, who sit ninth on 32 points, found no telling improvement Wednesday in the Champions League as they crashed 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid.
Lazio play a late Sunday home game to bottom side Sassuolo after Thursday's Europa League action.
