Hellas Verona host Serie A champions Juventus at the Stadio Bentegodi on Saturday evening in the Bianconeri’s final test before the Champions League final.
Juventus will face Barcelona in European football’s showcase event in Berlin next Saturday, but must first overcome the challenge of a Verona side hoping to finish above rivals Chievo.
The hosts are currently two points ahead of the Flying Donkeys and could yet finish the season as high as 11th place if other results go their way.
Although Massimiliano Allegri’s Juve wrapped up the league title weeks ago, they should be firing on all cylinders in order to carry some momentum into their big night in Berlin.
Evergreen Hellas striker Luca Toni will be hoping to score against his former club and has been on sensational form, scoring six goals in his last six matches.
The 38-year-old will hope that his side have learned their lesson after two heavy defeats against the Old Lady already this season.
Juve knocked Verona out of the Coppa Italia in January with a whopping 6-1 win, before recording an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Gialloblu in the league only three days later.
Despite that record, Hellas coach Andrea Mandorlini will be encouraged by his side’s recent form, as they have now lost only once in seven matches.
The visitors’ form has hardly fallen since they secured the title either and they arrive at the Bentegodi on the back of knocking Real Madrid out of the Champions League, beating Lazio in the Coppa Italia final and recording league wins over Inter and Napoli.
Artur Ionita and Juanito Gomez could be absent for the home side due to injury problems.
Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli has also been struggling with a niggle and could join Martin Caceres and Romulo on the absentees list.
Form Guide: Verona (W-D-L-D-W-D) Juventus (L-W-W-D-W-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Verona: Rafael; Sala, Marquez, Moras, Agostini; Obbadi, Tachtsidis, Hallfredsson; Jankovic, Toni, Fernandinho
Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Chiellini, Bonucci, Evra; Pogba, Marchisio, Sturaro; Vidal; Morata, Tevez
