Napoli eye the summit
Struggling Milan seek to reinvigorate disastrous season
FLORENCE: Napoli face struggling Genoa away in a bid to reclaim top spot in Italy’s Serie A today, when AC Milan host Sampdoria in the hope of finally kickstarting their disastrous season.
Napoli, believed to be the biggest threat to champions Juventus, dropped two precious points in a surprising 1-1 draw at home against basement side Sassuolo on Wednesday.
It came days after the league new boys were thrashed 7-0 athomebyInter Milanandallowed Roma to stretch their lead at the top of the table to two points following their 2-0 away win at Sampdoria.
Despite claiming Napoli did not under-estimate a determined Sassuolo side, coach Rafael Benitez was coy after the game.
“We have to learn from this match,” said the Spaniard.
The slip means the Azzurri will head to Genoa, who by today’s game will have met five of the top six teams from last season, extra determined to secure all three points.
Slovakian forward Marek Hamsik, who has scored four goals in five games, said: “It wasn’t a satisfying result for us, but now we have to look ahead to Genoa and make amends.”
Having just scraped into the top three at the end of last season, a raft of injuries and some poor displays have seen AC Milan drop to 12th.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side are already 10 points behind AS Roma and are missing recently-signed playmaker Kaka, whois sidelined with injury, as well as other key players including striker Mario Balotelli.
Although Napoli can go top of the pile today, a draw at Genoa would boost Juventus’ hopes of taking the lead for the first time this season when they face Torino away in the city derby.
Juventus were lucky to come away from Chievo with a 2-1 win on Wednesday thanks to an own goal by Alessandro Bernardini in the 65th minute.
Carlos Tevez, who played only the last 15 minutes against Chievo, is expected to start as well as midfield star Arturo Vidal.
It means Fernando Llorente, who scored on his debut last week, should return to the bench – a sign that Juve coach Antonio Conte may be preparing the Spanish striker for the Champions League clash against Galatasaray next week.
If both Napoli and Juventus slip up, it would pave the way for Inter, who are away to Cagliari, to go top having moved up to second with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Thursday.
Leaders AS Roma host Bologna in tomorrow’s late game while Parma, who claimed their first win of the campaign in midweek, are away to Fiorentina. — AFP