Sicily test for confident Inter and Adriano
Spalletti leads Roma against former club
Inter face Palermo in Serie A today with Roberto Mancini's side looking to continue an impressive start to the season.
Brazilian striker Adriano scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 win against promoted Treviso on the opening day of the season, further boosting optimism after a two-legged win over Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in a Champions League qualifier and the defeat of Juventus in the pre-season Supercup.
The powerful and prolific Adriano struck another hat-trick last week for Brazil in their 5-0 defeat of Chile.
The quality of Inter's squad, boosted by the pre-season arrival of Portuguese winger Luis Figo from Real Madrid, is not in doubt but their character will be tested by the intimidating atmosphere awaiting them at a packed 'Favorita' stadium.
Palermo's return last season to the top flight after an absence of three decades was impressive with a sixth place finish securing a first ever place in the UEFA Cup.
There have been several changes at the Sicilian club though with last season's top scorer Luca Toni, scorer of a hat-trick for Italy against Belarus on Wednesday, sold to Fiorentina and coach Francesco Guidolin leaving.
Former Chievo and Roma coach Luigi Del Neri has taken over and turned to a youthful attack featuring ex-Brescia striker Andrea Caracciolo and the exciting Nigerian striker Stephen Makinwa, brought from relegated Atalanta.
Inter's defence is weakened by injury to captain and right-back Javier Zanetti and the suspension of his fellow Argentine Walter Samuel.
Marco Materazzi will partner Ivan Cordoba in the centre of defence with Brazilian Ze Maria taking Zanetti's slot.
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti will make his home debut with the club tomorrow and faces the team he walked out on at the end of last season.
Spalletti took Udinese to fourth place and the northeastern club, now coached by charismatic former Perugia boss Serse Cosmi, have taken advantage by gaining a first ever place in the Champions League.
The shaven-headed Spalletti has instilled a new spirit at Roma and the final act of unifying a dressing room which was dominated by discontent last season should come with a commitment from striker Antonio Cassano to a new contract.
Captain Francesco Totti looked back to his best for Italy in midweek but Udinese, who beat Empoli on the opening day, will offer a strong test of the new Roma.
Champions Juventus are at Empoli and will expect to pick up three points despite being without the injured Alessandro Del Piero and Jonathan Zebina.
Milan, who have striker Christian Vieri suspended and Czech wing-back Marek Jankulovski injured, are at home to Siena this evening.
Serie A
Playing Today
Palermo vs Inter 6 p.m.
Milan vs Siena 8.30 p.m.
Tomorrow - 3 p.m.
Chievo vs Parma
Empoli vs Juventus
Lecce vs Ascoli
Messina vs Fiorentina
Roma vs Udinese
Sampdoria vs Reggina
Treviso vs Livorno
Cagliari vs Lazio 8.30 p.m.
First Day Results: Livorno vs Lecce 2-1; Fiorentina vs Sampdoria 2-1; Ascoli vs Milan 1-1; Inter vs Treviso 3-0; Juventus vs Chievo 1-0; Lazio vs Messina 1-0; Parma vs Palermo 1-1; Reggina vs Roma 0-3; Siena vs Cagliari 2-1; Udinese vs Empoli 1-0.
Serie B
Played Yesterday
Avellino vs Brescia 2-5
Today
Atalanta vs Triestina
Bologna vs Modena
Catania vs Arezzo
Cremonese vs Verona
Crotone vs Bari
Mantova vs Cesena
Rimini vs Catanzaro
Torino vs AlbinoLeffe
Vicenza vs Piacenza
Monday - 8.45 p.m. Ternana vs Pescara