Soccer Extreme : Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli have been omitted from the Manchester City squad to face Juventus in the Europa League in Turin.Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will talk with Carlos Tevez on Friday about the Argentinian's transfer request.
Tevez handed in a transfer request last weekend, whilst former Inter Milan star Balotelli was racially abused by Juventus supporters last season.
Emmanuel Adebayor has a knock and Roque Santa Cruz is not on the Europa League squad list, so Jo is the only senior striker in the squad.
Nicola Legrottaglie assures Juventus will "honour the shirt" against Manchester City, despite being knocked out of the Europa League without losing a game in the group stages.
"I have been at Juventus for many years, so I know there is no such thing as a friendly," said Legrottaglie.
"Nobody wants to be embarrassed and we all want to honour the shirt. On top of that, this is an important opportunity for those of us who haven't had the chance to play much so far. "We can give the coach some tough decisions to make.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
The Old Lady had been sweating over the long-term fitness of midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who sustained a calf injury in Sunday’s game against Lazio, although he is out for the City game, it is not as serious as first thought.
Veteran Italy keeper Gianlugi Buffon is still injured having not played a game for Juve all season. Although Marco Storari played against Lazio, Alex Manninger is the likelier starter.
Right-back Zdenek Grygera may return after five weeks out in this dead rubber.
Possible starting XI: Manninger; Grygera, Chiellini, Bonucci, Grosso; Krasic, Melo, Sissoko, Martinez; Del Piero, Iaquinta.
Manchester City
City's progression was assured in their match against Salzburg, although they could go through as top of group with a win against Juventus. With current in-club difficulties, however, their minds may be elsewhere.
After suspension against West Ham, captain Carlos Tevez trained with the side before their trip to Italy, whether he plays is another matter.
Mario Balotelli has been left behind to remove chance of racist abuse. Aleksandar Kolarov may return after missing the West Ham match through suspension.
Possible starting XI: Given; Boateng, Richards, K Toure, Kolarov; A Johnson, Kompany, De Jong, Silva; Y Toure; Jo.
(goal/setanta)