Defensive emergency for Juve

Antonio Conte’s defensive headache with Juventus has not eased, as he is unable to count on Stephan Lichtsteiner for the weekend.

The Bianconeri head out to Livorno on Sunday afternoon with the motivation that a win could put them top of the table before Roma play the next day.

However, it is a match the Old Lady will have to face without half her squad’s defenders available.

Alongside the suspended duo of Leonardo Bonucci and Angelo Ogbonna, Juve head into Week 13 with doubts over Andrea Barzagli’s availability, with a thigh complaint picked up whilst on international duty.

The situation is now worsened with the news that Swiss full-back Lichtsteiner is not yet ready to return to the field.

Continuing to work separate from the main group in training, Juventus have reported through their official website this week that the 29-year-old will not make this weekend’s trip to the Armando Picchi.

Lichtsteiner has been out since picking up a suspected thigh injury whilst in action against Galatasaray at the start of October.

Speculation for the weekend is that Juve will run with a back three of Martin Caceres, Giorgio Chiellini and Federico Peluso, with Kwadwo Asamoah and Paolo De Ceglie on the wings.

Should be ok...Chiellini Peluso & Caceres can get the job done...

Against Livorno its not really a problem. Were gonna keep in their own half for 90% of the game anyways.