MOUTHWATERING
Napoli face Inter in Serie A’s table-topper clash
MILAN will give us a great boost. But we also know that we’re meeting a team in great shape.”
Inter, chasing a first win at the San Paolo Stadium in two decades, have fresher legs with no European action midweek and boosted after a Mauro Icardi hattrick lifted them past city rivals AC Milan in the prestigious Derby della Madonnina.
Inter ’s former Newcastle defender Davide Santon warned that last Sunday’s derby excitement was already far behind the team and urged “the right ruthlessness.”
Champions Juventus have regained some of their sparkle after recent setbacks with a 2-1 Champions League win against Sporting Lisbon.
The reigning six-time Serie A winners had picked up just one point from their last two games to drop five points off top spot after last weekend’s defeat to Lazio in Turin.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side ease back into domestic duty with a trip to Udinese, just one point above the drop zone.
Although Allegri admitted his team had lost some of their brilliance he urged them “to resume the championship race in Udine.”
AS Roma are also gaining momentum after last weekend’s home defeat against Napoli demonstrating their European credentials with a 3-3 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The fifth-placed Romans travel north to Torino tomorrow.
Lazio followed on from last weekend’s exploits in Turin where they ended Juventus’s two year unbeaten run at home with a 3-1 Europa League success over Nice. The Roman side host Cagliari who are playing under new coach Diego Lopez.
Chinese-owned AC Milan host Genoa tomorrow with coach Vincenzo Montella under increasing pressure after three straight league losses was followed by a goalless draw at home to AEK Athens in Europa League action. AFP