Champions Juventus face a test of their title-defending credentials tonight when a resurgent Inter travel to Turin with a real chance of reducing their four-point deficit to the leaders.
Juventus extended their un-beaten streak to 49 matches after a late Paul Pogba header helped secure a 2-1 home win over Bologna on Wednesday as Napoli slipped up at Atalanta and Inter moved up to second with a 3-1 win at home to Sampdoria.
A 50th match without defeat – Juve’s last reverse came against Parma in May 2011 – will be expected by fans of the Old Lady, but Inter’s resurgence has slashed the odds.
Their sixth win on the trot came in convincing and timely fashion ahead of a fixture billed as the ‘Derby d’Italia’.
Indeed, Inter have peaked so well for this game conspiracy theorists might suggest that canny36-year-old coach Andrea Stramaccioni, who recently waved off comparisons with Jose Mourinho, had timed it deliberately.
Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso admits Juve’s “good run” deserved applause, but said Inter’s good form is a reflection of their high expectations.
“It’ll be an important match, and definitely a different one from the others,” he said.
“This Inter team is now in the situation that it should be in.”
While Inter seem to be relishing the challenge, Juve could be suspected of feeling the pinch.
On Thursday it was announced that coach Angelo Alessio, the caretaker in the absence of the suspended Antonio Conte, would not be talking to the press prior to the game.
Juve defender Andrea Barzagli was not scared to admit Inter, boasting the attacking talents of Diego Milito, Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio, have made them sit up and take notice.
“Now they have a new, young coach who is determined to stand apart and is doing well,” Berzagli said.
“As a result, they have signed some good players who want to do well for the club and that is why I think Inter really want to do something this year.”
Scoring records
While Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy became the league’s top scorer this week, Juventus (along with Roma on 22 goals) and Inter (19) have the best scoring records in the league.
Juve’s defence has leaked only five goals, the meanest in the league, in 10 games, to Inter’s nine.
Today, Milan, 12th at 17 points adrift of Juve, host Chievo at the San Siro with only one thing on their minds: “We have to beat Chievo if we are to start climbing up the table,” said their midfielder Kevin Constant.
Napoli, who dropped to third at six points behind Juventus, could yet be without top striker Edinson Cavani when Torino visit tomorrow, the Uruguayan having missed the trip to Bergamo due to an injury niggle.
After a sluggish start to the season Fiorentina are enjoying a purple patch and moved up to fifth in the standings thanks to a 1-0 win away to Genoa on Thursday, three days ahead of hosting a rejuvenated Cagliari side.
Zdenek Zeman’s Roma, meanwhile, host Palermo in tomorrow’s late match hoping to put their recent league setbacks behind them.
Two consecutive 3-2 defeats, to Udinese then Parma on Wed-nesday, have left the Giallorossi seventh, 14 points adrift of Juve and for many their de-fence is to blame.
Fixtures
Serie A - Playing Today
Milan Vs Chievo 18.00
Juventus Vs Inter 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Bologna Vs Udinese
Catania Vs Lazio
Fiorentina Vs Cagliari
Napoli Vs Torino
Pescara Vs Parma 12.30
Roma Vs Palermo 20.45
Sampdoria Vs Atalanta
Siena Vs Genoa
Standings: Juventus 28; Inter 24; Napoli 22; Lazio 19; Fiorentina, Parma 15; Roma, Cagliari 14; Udinese 13; Atalanta (-2), Catania 12; Milan 11; Torino (-1), Sampdoria (-1), Chievo 10; Genoa 9; Palermo, Pescara 8; Bologna 7; Siena (-6) 3.
Serie B
Playing Today – 15.00
Brescia Vs Ternana
Empoli Vs Pro Vercelli
Grosseto Vs Ascoli
Livorno Vs Bari
Novara Vs Cittadella
Padova Vs Cesena
Reggina Vs Varese
Spezia Vs Crotone
Vicenza Vs Lanciano
Monday
Modena Vs Juve Stabia 19.00
Verona Vs Sassuolo 21.00
Standings: Sassuolo 31; Verona 25; Livorno 23; Padova (-2), Juve Stabia 18; Cittadella 17; Ternana, Varese (-1) 16; Modena (-2), Brescia, Ascoli (-1), Spezia 15; Bari (-7), Vicenza, Empoli (-1), Cesena 12; Crotone (-2), Pro Vercelli 11; Novara (-4) 10; Reggina (-3), Lanciano 9; Grosseto (-6) 3.
Andrea Stramaccioni