DYBALA BACK
As Juventus chase Christmas number one spot
MILAN confidence, but it’s not as if he ever truly lost his way,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri of the player nicknamed “The Jewel.”
Roma, meanwhile, are also in need of a boost after crashing out of the Italian Cup 2-1 at home to Torino.
But Juventus winger Douglas Costa is expecting a backlash from the Romans who have the tightest defence in the league.
“It’s true they lost in the Italian Cup but we’re not expecting the same team on Saturday (today),” warned Costa.
Inter Milan, reeling after last weekend’s shock home defeat to Udinese, travel to struggling Sassuolo looking to keep in touch with the leaders before tackling fifth-placed Lazio the following weekend.
All eyes will be on AC Milan and new coach Gennaro Gattuso whose side cancelled their annual Christmas dinner after last weekend’s 3-0 loss at lowly Verona.
The club denied rumours early this week that Gattuso had offered to resign but confirmed their players have been sent to a training camp until further notice.
Milan are currently 14 points adrift of the top four and their target of Champions League football next season.
The sacking of Vincenzo Montella has not improved fortunes at the Chinese-owned club with former Milan midfielder Gattuso picking up just four points from his three league games in charge.
Milan will face Atalanta today with both sides on 24 points, three off Sampdoria who, in sixth, occupy the final Europa League qualifying berth.
On Dec 27, they play Inter Milan in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup, and three days later travel to Fiorentina in Serie A. AFP