Italian league leaders Juventus have the wind in their sails as they go into tomorrow’s home clash with Verona.
The defending Serie A champions clinched their first victory at Napoli in 15 years in resounding fashion last week and followed that achievement with a 6-1 demolition of Verona in Turin on Thursday in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.
The Bianconeri are three points clear of Roma at the top of the standings.
“We have to show the same spirit we displayed against Verona,” Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters.
“We have to face every game in the best possible way.”
What made the rampage all the more impressive against Verona was that Allegri shook up his line-up and gave some players a rest.
“On Thursday, I fielded those that had played less but that does not mean they are second best,” Allegri said.
“The season is long and we need everyone. The response of my team was great.”
Roma, who were not involved in the Coppa Italia this week, travel to La Favorita to face Palermo.
They are hoping to recover captain Francesco Totti in time for today’s match.
Totti, who scored two second-half goals to help his team clinch a point in a 2-2 draw against Lazio in last weekend’s derby, is struggling with the flu.
To complicate matters for Roma coach Rudi Garcia, midfield pair Radja Nainggolan and Daniele De Rossi are suspended.
Duel for third place
Lazio and Napoli square off at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow in a battle for third spot.
Lazio must overcome the absence of in-form Felipe Anderson, who is sidelined for three weeks after sustaining a left knee injury in training.
The Sky Blues are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot. They are just one place and one point clear of Napoli.
A draw in Rome would see Sampdoria leapfrog Lazio and Napoli into third provided the Blucerchiati see off Parma at the Tardini stadium.
Samp are level on 30 points with Napoli heading into this weekend’s round of games.
Genoa suffered a big blow ahead of Sunday’s home game against Sassuolo with Italian striker Alessandro Matri ruled out for six weeks because of a thigh injury.
Matri, who has scored seven goals and set up five others in 12 starts for Genoa this season, got hurt in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Inter.
Milan are hoping to halt a three-match winless run in Serie A when they take on Atalanta at the San Siro. The Rossoneri have mustered just two wins in their last eight league games to fall to eighth position.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini is set to hand new signing Xherdan Shaqiri his Serie A debut at Empoli this evening.
The Swiss midfielder has joined Inter on a permanent transfer from Bayern Munich.
Fiorentina fans are hoping German forward Mario Gomez can end his goalscoring drought in tomorrow’s match at Chievo.
Gomez has found the back of the net just once in 10 Serie A appearances this season, with his last goal on November 30.
Udinese are keeping their fingers crossed that captain Antonio Di Natale will be available for the home match against Cagliari as Torino are looking for a spark from new signing Maxi Lopez when they run onto the pitch to face bottom-side Cesena.
The Granata have collected just two wins in their last 10 league games.
Torino have the weakest attacking line in the competition alongside Chievo with just 13 goals scored so far.
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing today
Empoli vs Inter - 18.00
Palermo vs Roma - 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Cesena vs Torino
Chievo vs Fiorentina
Genoa vs Sassuolo
Juventus vs Verona - 20.45
Lazio vs Napoli - 12.30
Milan vs Atalanta
Parma vs Sampdoria
Udinese vs Cagliari
Standings: Juventus 43; Roma 40; Lazio 31; Napoli, Sampdoria 30; Fiorentina, Genoa 27; Milan 26; Inter, Palermo 25; Sassuolo 24; Udinese 23; Verona 21; Torino 19; Empoli, Chievo 18; Atalanta 17; Cagliari 15; Parma, Cesena 9.
Note: Parma deducted one point.
Serie B
Playing today – 15.00
Bari vs Entella
Brescia vs Frosinone
Cittadella vs Modena
Latina vs Vicenza
Pro Vercelli vs Avellino
Spezia vs Varese
Ternana vs Crotone
Trapani vs Pescara
Virtus Lanciano vs Catania
Tomorrow
Carpi vs Livorno - 18.00
Monday
Bologna vs Perugia - 20.30
Standings: Carpi 43; Frosinone, Bologna 34; Spezia 33; Avellino 32; Livorno 31; Lanciano, Pro Vercelli, Trapani 30; Perugia 29; Pescara 28; Modena, Vicenza 27; Ternana, Bari 25; Entella 24; Brescia 23; Varese (-3) 22; Catania, Crotone 21; Latina 20; Cittadella 19.