ZCZC
BSP-06
FBL-ITA-SERIEA,PREVIEW
Juventus tackle Torino as Italy’s elite reel after Euro maulings
MILAN, Dec 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Champions Juventus tackle city rivals
Torino with pride at stake as Italy’s top teams return to the home comforts
of Serie A this weekend licking their wounds after a bruising week in Europe.
Juventus travel cross-town to the Stadio Olimpico looking to maintain their
eight-point advantage at the top of Serie A after their year-long unbeaten
record away from home ended with a shock 2-1 Champions League defeat by Young
Boys in Bern.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates’ pride took a knock in Switzerland but
the defeat was ultimately painless as Juventus still won their group ahead of
Manchester United who lost 2-1 in Valencia.
Both Napoli and Inter Milan crashed out of the elite European competition
as Roma — already through to the knock-out rounds — fell 2-1 at Viktoria
Plzen.
AC Milan were eliminated from the Europa League with a 3-1 loss to Greek
club Olympiakos, as Lazio were beaten 2-1 by Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt,
but still advanced to the last 32.
All want to get back on track in the first of four games in the run-up to
the end of the year.
“I’ve realised that there are two games Juventus refuse to lose — against
Inter Milan and Torino,” said Ronaldo.
The 33-year-old tasted victory in his first ‘Derby d’Italia’ against Inter
last weekend with Mario Mandzukic scoring the only goal.
And next up is the ‘Derby della Mole’ against Torino which Juventus have
not lost since April 2015.
“A derby is always beautiful and we have to win,” warned the former five-
time Ballon d’Or winner.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini was rested this week in preparation for Torino,
who are sixth, but just four points off the Champions League places.
Walter Mazzarri’s side held AC Milan to a goalless draw at the San Siro
last weekend.
“Torino have improved a lot,” said Chiellini, “they can aim for Europe and
they can certainly cause us problems.”
– ‘Find that spark’ –
Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli head for Sardinia to play Cagliari after a
dramatic 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.
“Going out like this hurts, but we have to pick ourselves up and focus on
the trip to Cagliari,” said captain Marek Hamsik whose side visit Inter Milan
on Boxing Day.
Both Inter Milan and Roma have struggled in recent weeks.
Luciano Spalletti’s Inter had been on a seven-match winning streak at the
start of November. But four points in as many games has seen Inter drop 14
points behind Juventus.
And they crashed out of the Champions League after being held 1-1 at home
by PSV Eindhoven.
Goalkeeper Samir Handanovic warned that a victory at home, even against
relegation-threatened Udinese, would give the club a boost.
“Winning is the best medicine in situations like this,” said the Slovenian
goalkeeper.
“We need to find that spark again.”
The team have been hit by the absence of Belgian ace Radja Nainggolan with
an ankle injury, with fellow midfielder Matias Vecino also sidelined in
recent games.
Spalletti’s future is also in doubt with the appointment of former Juventus
CEO Giuseppe Marotta as Inter’s new general manager on Thursday.
Marotta worked with former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte at Juventus,
winning three Serie A titles together.
The pressure is also on Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco.
Nothing seems to be going right for the capital side, who are down in
eighth and host Genoa before next week’s trip to Juventus.
Di Francesco’s side have an injury crisis, but also a psychological one
after throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with nine-man Cagliari last
weekend before falling to the Czech champions in Europe.
AC Milan, in fourth, travel to Bologna on Tuesday looking to pull level
with Inter Milan, as Lazio are away to Atalanta, one point off the Europa
League places.
Fixtures
Saturday (all times GMT)
Inter Milan v Udinese (1700), Torino v Juventus (1930)
Sunday
SPAL v Chievo (1130), Fiorentina v Empoli, Frosinone v Sassuolo, Sampdoria
v Parma (1400), Cagliari v Napoli (1700), Roma v Genoa (1930)
Monday
Atalanta v Lazio (1930)
Tuesday
Bologna v AC Milan (1930)
BSS/AFP/MRI/0835 hrs