Juventude's coach Maurício Barbieri starts preparing the team for the match against Ponte Preta, on Sunday (14), at 11h, at Estádio Alfredo Jaconi. The match, valid for the 13th round, gained extra importance after the defeat suffered against Operário-PR, 2-1. The recovery has as its main objective not to distance itself further from the G-6. Still with matches to be played in the 12th round, Ju has 16 points, three less than just the rival of Friday, Operário-PR, which closes the G-6. - We continue to aim for the top of the table. We are playing on a tightrope due to the various absences we have in the group. Certainly, they interfere with Barbieri's work and are missed. We hope to have them available as soon as possible - said the vice-president of football Luis Carlos Bianchi, in an interview with Rádio Caxias. The expectation is that at least three players will be available to the coach for the commitment against the rival of Campinas. The midfielder Luan Martins, the midfielder Mandaca and the striker MP are the players who would be closest to returning to the team. On the other hand, Juventude will have to deal with absences in the technical command. Maurício Barbieri and assistant Diego Favarin were expelled by referee Yuri Elino Ferreira da Cruz, in the match against Operário-PR, and will be out of the next game. The home assistant Gerson Ramos will lead the reserve team.