Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli is warning his team-mates not to be dazzled by their impressive run as they prepare to visit Cagliari today.
The Turin giants are eight points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A heading into the halfway point of the season. They travel to Sardinia having won their last 10 league games, including a 3-0 triumph over Roma in their first game of 2014.
“It was important to win against Roma because they are our direct rivals for the scudetto,” Barzagli said.
“However, the scudetto is not in our pocket. There are still 20 games left to play and we still have a lot of work to do.
“Eight points is a good advantage but we cannot get carried away by our current position and our good run of form. We have to continue to work hard and remain focused.”
Juve coach Antonio Conte is expected to keep changes to the side that beat Roma to a minimum although the visitors will have to overcome the absence of Barzagli, who is suspended.
Martin Caceres is set to replace Barzagli in defence while Fernando Llorente will partner Carlos Tevez up front.
Cagliari coach Diego Lopez is aware his side will need to be at their very best if they are to end Juve’s impressive form at the Sant’ Elia stadium.
Juventus have shown no signs of weakness, scoring 26 goals and giving away just one in their last 10 league games.
“We know we face a very difficult game,” Lopez said.
“We cannot afford to make any mistakes on Sunday (today) because Juventus will take no time in making us pay.
“We have to make the most of our chances and put Juve under pressure.”
Radja Nainggolan will again start for Roma in today’s game against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Belgian midfielder made his debut with the Giallorossi in Thursday’s 1-0 triumph over Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia.
Roma, however, will be without defender Leandro Castan, midfielder Daniele De Rossi and striker Adem Ljajic, all serving a one-match ban.
Meanwhile, Keisuke Honda will be on the Milan bench for this evening’s match away at strugglers Sassuolo.
The 27-year-old forward joined Milan on a three-and-a-half-year contract last week from CSKA Moscow and could make his Serie A debut today.
Serie A
Played yesterday
Bologna 0
Lazio 0
Att: 20,000.
Livorno 0
Parma 3
Palladino 2; Amauri 86, 90 pen;
HT: 0-1. Att: 9,039.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Juventus | 18 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 11 | 49 |
| Roma | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 35 | 10 | 41 |
| Napoli | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 38 | 20 | 39 |
| Fiorentina | 18 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 34 | 20 | 36 |
| Verona | 18 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 34 | 27 | 32 |
| Inter | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 37 | 22 | 31 |
| Parma | 19 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 29 | 26 | 26 |
| Torino | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 31 | 27 | 25 |
| Lazio | 19 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 23 | 26 | 24 |
| Genoa | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 20 | 23 |
| Milan | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 28 | 26 | 22 |
| Cagliari | 18 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 24 | 21 |
| Udinese | 18 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 18 | 25 | 20 |
| Sampdoria | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 18 |
| Atalanta | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 28 | 18 |
| Chievo | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 16 |
| Bologna | 19 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 33 | 16 |
| Sassuolo | 18 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 38 | 14 |
| Livorno | 19 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 33 | 13 |
| Catania | 18 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 32 | 13 |
Playing today – 15.00
Atalanta vs Catania
Cagliari vs Juventus
Roma vs Genoa
Sassuolo vs Milan - 20.45
Torino vs Fiorentina - 12.30
Verona vs Napoli
Tomorrow
Inter vs Chievo - 21.00
Sampdoria vs Udinese - 19.00
Next fixtures
Saturday: 18.00 Roma vs Livorno. 20.45 Juventus vs Sampdoria.
Sunday: 12.30 Udinese vs Lazio. 15.00 Atalanta vs Cagliari; Bologna vs Napoli; Catania vs Fiorentina; Chievo vs Parma; Genoa vs Inter; Sassuolo vs Torino. 20.45 Milan vs Verona.