Juve, Inter return to Serie A fray after European victories
>> MILAN: 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 relegationthreatened SPAL to keep pace with the leaders.
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.
FIXTURES
(kick-offs Thai time)
Today
Lecce v Juventus (8pm), Inter Milan v Parma (11pm), Genoa v Brescia (1.45am, Sun)
Tomorrow
Bologna v Sampdoria (6.30pm), Atalanta v Udinese, SPAL v Napoli, Torino v Cagliari (all 9pm), AS Roma v AC Milan (midnight), Fiorentina v Lazio (2.45am, Mon)