Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon expects rivals Inter to be firm contenders for the Serie A title.
The Italian champions take the Nerazzurri on at the San Siro in this evening’s Derby d’Italia with both teams unbeaten and with two wins on the board from their opening two games.
“We have a lot of respect for Inter,” Buffon told reporters.
“We fear them for sure. They have a great coach in Walter Mazzarri and they are prepared. They are a team that can make life difficult for any rival and they will challenge for the Scudetto.”
Defeating Juve in the weekend’s big match in Italy would be a major confidence boost for an Inter side that is trying to make up for last season’s dismal ninth-placed finish.
That outcome cost coach Andrea Stramaccioni his job and meant Inter missed out on European football in 2013-14.
However, Buffon, whose team open their Champions League campaign at FC Copenhagen on Tuesday, believes that scenario will give Inter the edge.
“They will have the advantage of being able to concentrate on the domestic front,” Buffon said.
“But we are very keen to win our third consecutive league title and it’s going to be one huge battle.”
Milan celebrated their first win of the campaign with a 3-1 triumph over Cagliari last time out.
The Rossoneri will, however, have to overcome the absence of injured defenders Mattia De Sciglio, Ignazio Abate and Matias Silvestre in tonight’s game at Torino.
Napoli are looking to make it three wins in a row when they welcome Atalanta to the Stadio San Paolo.
Roma also have winning momentum on their side as they go up against Parma at the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Monday, with victories against Livorno and Verona seeing Rudi Garcia’s men remain perfect so far.
Bologna face a tough trip to the Stadio Friuli tomorrow when they take on Francesco Guidolin’s Udinese.
The Bianconeri have not lost at home in Serie A since September 2 last year.
There will be no better time for Genoa to turn around their dismal start to the season than tomorrow evening when they face city rivals Sampdoria at the Marassi – with Samp playing the role of designated home team.
Genoa go into the first Derby della Lanterna of the season on the back of two defeats.
Lazio fans were left frustrated following their side’s 4-1 loss to Juventus two weeks ago and they will expect a drastic improvement when Chievo come to town.
Verona, meanwhile, are hoping veteran striker Luca Toni can recover from injury in time for the game against Serie A newcomers Sassuolo. The veteran 2006 World Cup winner is struggling with an ankle injury.
Cagliari will be bolstered by the return of playmaker Andrea Cossu for their trip to Florence. He has recovered from a muscular injury and is set to make his season debut at Fiorentina this weekend.
Livorno fans will have to play the waiting game to see new signing Miguel Borja make his Serie A debut.
The Colombian striker has yet to acquire the work permit he needs and will therefore not feature in tomorrow’s game against Catania.
Fixtures...
Serie A
Playing Today
Inter vs Juventus 18.00
Napoli vs Atalanta 20.45
Torino vs Milan 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Fiorentina vs Cagliari 12.30
Lazio vs Chievo
Livorno vs Catania
Sampdoria vs Genoa 20.45
Udinese vs Bologna
Verona vs Sassuolo
Monday
Parma vs Roma 20.45
Standings: Napoli, Inter, Roma, Fiorentina, Juventus 6; Milan, Livorno, Udinese, Atalanta, Torino, Cagliari, Lazio, Verona 3; Samp-doria, Chievo, Parma, Bologna 1; Catania, Genoa, Sassuolo 0.
Serie B
Played Yesterday
Palermo vs Cesena 2-1
Today – 15.00
Bari vs Modena
Carpi vs Empoli
Cittadella vs Latina
Crotone vs Spezia
Juve Stabia vs Siena
Lanciano vs Avellino
Novara vs Padova
Trapani vs Reggina
Varese vs Pescara
Monday
Ternana vs Brescia 20.30
Leading standings: Empoli, Avellino 7; Cesena, Palermo 6; Pescara, Trapani, Modena, Reggina, Lanciano 5.