Juventus and Roma head into this weekend’s Serie A action on the back of demoralising results in the Champions League.
The Serie A leaders lost for the second time in the group stages of Europe’s elite club competition when they fell 1-0 at Olympiakos on Wednesday.
“Juve’s history has always been a bit like this, we do well in Serie A but struggle in Europe,” Juve striker Carlos Tevez said to Italian TV station Mediaset.
“If we want to become a great team then we have to, and I believe we can, turn that around.
“I think it is an issue of mentality and it depends only on us to change.”
Roma endured a nightmare scenario 24 hours earlier when they were demolished 7-1 by Bayern Munich at the Stadio Olimpico to suffer their first defeat in their group.
Rudi Garcia’s men will be looking to turn the page when they take on third-place Sampdoria tonight.
Samp are, along with Juve, the only undefeated side in Serie A.
Juve saw their perfect run in Italy come to an end in last week’s 1-1 draw at Sassuolo and Massimiliano Allegri’s men cannot afford a slip at home to Palermo tomorrow if they are to continue to lead the table.
The Bianconeri are one point clear of Roma.
Napoli head into tomorrow’s match against Verona at the San Paolo stadium with coach Rafa Benitez looking for answers.
Benitez’s men followed their 2-2 draw against Inter with Thursday’s 2-0 away defeat at Young Boys, Napoli’s first reverse in the Europa League.
In contrast, Fiorentina head into their match at Milan in buoyant mood.
The Viola won 1-0 at PAOK in midweek to remain perfect in Europa League Group K.
Fiorentina can expect a stern test as Milan have won their last two league games and are in fourth place.
Torino also won in Europe this week, a 2-0 home triumph over HJK Helsinki, and travel to Rome to face Lazio next.
Inter coach Walter Mazzarri is feeling the heat heading into tomorrow’s match at Cesena.
Inter have won just two of their seven league games and are winless in their last three fixtures, including Thursday’s goalless draw at home to St Etienne in the Europa League.
Fifth-place Udinese have yet to lose a game at the Friuli stadium this season and host Atalanta.
Rolando Maran will coach Chievo for the first time against Genoa tomorrow. Maran replaced Eugenio Corini, who was sacked after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Roma, their fifth loss in seven games.
Empoli will attempt to extended their unbeaten run to six games when Cagliari come to town.
Strugglers Parma host winless Sassuolo on the back of four straight defeats.
The Ducale club have dropped to the foot of the standings, one point adrift of Sassuolo.
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing today
Empoli vs Cagliari - 15.00
Parma vs Sassuolo - 18.00
Sampdoria vs Roma - 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Cesena vs Inter - 18.00
Chievo vs Genoa
Juventus vs Palermo
Lazio vs Torino - 18.00
Milan vs Fiorentina - 20.45
Napoli vs Verona - 18.00
Udinese vs Atalanta
Standings: Juventus 19; Roma 18; Sampdoria 15; Milan 14; Udinese 13; Lazio 12; Verona, Napoli 11; Inter, Genoa, Fiorentina 9; Torino 8; Empoli, Atalanta 7; Cesena, Palermo 6; Cagliari 5; Chievo, Sassuolo 4; Parma 3.
Serie B
Played yesterday
Ternana vs Trapani - 1-2
Modena vs Bologna - 0-0
Today – 15.00
Avellino vs Lanciano
Catania vs Vicenza
Crotone vs Cittadella
Entella vs Frosinone
Latina vs Brescia
Livorno vs Spezia
Pescara vs Carpi
Pro Vercelli vs Perugia
Varese vs Bari
Monday
Bologna vs Trapani - 20.30
Leading standings: Frosinone, Bolo-gna, Trapani 18; Livorno 17; Bari, Carpi, Perugia, Avellino 15.