Roy Hodgson

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In all likelihood, this will be a close tie.  However, the very idea that Fulham could take on Juventus would have been unthinkable a mere 14 seasons ago.  The 1995-6 season was a memorable one for Juventus, with the 'Old Lady' capturing the European Cup, beating Ajax in the final.  The same season saw Ian Branfoot's Fulham languishing towards the bottom of England's basement division at one of the lowest ebbs in the club's history.

The interim period has seen an incredible rise in Fulham's fortunes.  However, a potentially close clash between one of the giants of Italian football and a mid-table English side also demonstrates the primacy of the Premier League over Serie A in recent years.

Juventus are enduring a tough season.  Coach Alberto Zaccheroni has overseen a real improvement in the Turin side's form since taking over as short-term coach in January.  Juventus were struggling for a place in the top six in Serie A when the 56-year-old arrived and currently fifth in the league standings with 44 points from 27 league matches, things have improved since his arrival.

Juventus were given a tricky tie in the last round of the Europa League as they were pitted against Dutch giants and opponents in that 1996 European Cup final, Ajax.  A measure of the progress under Zaccheroni is their relatively straightforward progress against Ajax, having won the first leg 2-1 in Amsterdam.  

Fulham have virtually no pedigree in Europe.  But, in Roy Hodgson, they have a wily manager with an excellent knowledge of European football, whose name commands respect in Italy following his successful tenure at Inter Milan.  Fulham are enjoying a very good season, especially considering they only escaped Premier League relegation by a whisker two seasons ago.  They are in a comfortable tenth position in the Premier League and face an FA Cup replay against Tottenham to secure a semi-final appearance at Wembley. 

They will be missing captain Danny Murphy after he saw red in the last round of the Europa League, as Fulham knocked out holders Shakhtar Donetsk.  Both Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka are ineligible for selection while Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil are long term absentees.  However, in Bobby Zamora , Fulham possess a striker in a rich vein of form who will be determined to prove himself against Europe's finest to push for a place in England's World Cup squad.

Juventus have injury concerns over goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and centre back Giorgio Chiellini among others.  Nonetheless, they will expect to line up with the likes of David Trezeguet , Allesandro Del Piero and Fabio Cannavaro. 

Juventus have the luxury of genuinely world class players to choose from.  Despite the team's problems this season, household names like Del Piero and Trezeguet pose the biggest threat to Fulham, as shown by the IMScouting efficiency report below.  They are two of the most dangerous attacking players on either side and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson must prevent his side from giving them too much respect in order to leave Turin with a chance of progression to the next round.

IMScouting’s Player Efficiency reports include players who have appeared in a minimum of 500 minutes in the league and equally values a goal or assist. A player's efficiency is valued at how often he has produced a goal or assist.

Further statistics on the clash between Juventus and Fulham can be seen at this match preview.

You can also calculate your own reports at the IMScouting report generator, which creates instant comparisons of players and teams from every league in the world.