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BSP-05
FBL-SERIEA-ITA
Juventus, Inter return to Serie A fray after European successes
MILAN, Oct 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Champions Juventus turn their focus back to
maintaining their Serie A supremacy ahead of nearest challengers Inter Milan
with both Italian teams riding high after their European successes this week.
Juventus are just one point ahead of Inter Milan in the Italian league
after eight games.
Maurizio Sarri’s side head to promoted Lecce, while Antonio Conte’s Inter
are at home against Parma.
Juve extended their unbeaten run in all competitions with Paulo Dybala’s
quick-fire double earning a 2-1 over Lokomotiv Moscow in Turin on Tuesday in
Europe.
Inter Milan beat Dortmund 2-0 in the San Siro the following night to boost
their last 16 hopes, with Napoli also coming through with a thrilling 3-2 win
in Salzburg.
“We’re very much alive,” said Conte. “Unfortunately, we can’t enjoy this
result too much. We now have less than three days to recuperate ahead of our
match against Parma, who are on an excellent run.”
Third-placed Atalanta return to the comforts of home against Udinese
licking their wounds after a bruising 5-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli, one point behind the Bergamo side in fourth and
six adrift of Juventus, need a result at relegation-threatened SPAL to keep
pace with the leaders.
In a match between fallen giants, sixth-placed Roma host an AC Milan side
who are struggling in 12th and desperate for a first win under new coach
Stefano Pioli.
The injury-hit Romans were bitter after being held 1-1 by Borussia
Monchengladbach’s last-gasp penalty in Europa League action on Thursday.
“It’s not a great spell for us,” said Roma forward Edin Dzeko, wearing a
mask to protect a broken cheekbone.
“This was our fourth draw in a row and a win would have been a morale
boost.
“There’s no point looking back though, only forward. We have a match
against AC Milan and we must do everything possible to win it.”
City rivals Lazio are also in need of a boost as they travel to Fiorentina,
after falling 2-1 to Celtic in their Europa League clash.
One to watch:
New Genoa coach Thiago Motta’s first game in charge of the club where his
playing career took off a decade ago will be against Brescia.
“In 2008, Genoa changed my situation. Now I really want to coach the squad
and change our fortunes,” said Motta.
Former Italy international Motta’s only previous coaching experience is
with PSG’s U19 team, which he managed until July.
The 37-year-old former PSG, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid player takes over
a Genoa side that has won just one game out of eight this season. Key
statistics:
116 – Dries Mertens goals for Napoli, one more than Diego Maradona — he
still trails Marek Hamsik
21 – Atalanta lead the way in league goals scored
15 – Genoa’s unbeaten run in home matches against Brescia
12 – Ciro Immobile’s contributions to Lazio’s league goals this season — 9
goals and 3 assists
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Verona v Sassuolo (1845)
Saturday
Lecce v Juventus (1300), Inter Milan v Parma (1600), Genoa v Brescia (1845)
Sunday
Bologna v Sampdoria (1030), Atalanta v Udinese, SPAL v Napoli, Torino v
Cagliari (all 1300), AS Roma v AC Milan (1600), Fiorentina v Lazio (1845).
BSS/AFP/GMR/0922 hrs