Italian Serie A match previews

March 17, 2000
SportsServer

MILAN, Italy - Juventus enjoys a six point lead at the top of Serie A as it enters the title run-in, but a difficult series of fixtures begins with the local derby against Torino on Sunday (kick off 14:00 GMT).

Juventus, which faces Inter and AC Milan at the San Siro as well as host Fiorentina and closest rivals Lazio at home in upcoming matches, knows it must pick up maximum points against the supposedly lesser teams if it wants to maintain top spot.

But Juve striker Alessandro Del Piero says the game against struggling Torino, 13th in the standings and just three points off the relegation zone, does not count as one of the easier fixtures.

Torino, which returned to the top flight this season, has struggled against the top teams but managed a 0-0 draw against Juve earlier this season.

"This match comes at a good time for us as we have been getting some good results and we are in better form than we were when we last met," says Del Piero. "But derby games have their own special logic and the lesser teams find some special motivation. It is like playing a Cup final."

Juventus, unbeaten in 21 games, has a doubt over central defender Ciro Ferrara and should he fail a fitness test later on Friday, Croat Igor Tudor will deputize.

Torino has defender Djibril Diawara suspended, while midfielder Alessio Scarchilli and striker Iija Ivic are both injured.

Other matches (League position in parentheses, kick off Sunday 1400 GMT unless stated)

Bari (12) vs. Perugia (10) 

Perugia is unbeaten in five outings and will be looking to avenge a 2-1 home defeat by Bari earlier this season.

Bari has not won for seven games and is in danger of slipping into the relegation zone.

Fiorentina (8) vs. Cagliari (16) (Saturday 1400 GMT)

Fiorentina's Champions League ambitions may well have ended with its 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Wednesday and it knows it needs an excellent end to the league campaign if it wants to secure a European spot for next season.

While the Florence club has not lost in eight games at home Cagliari has yet to win away this season and is without suspended Uruguayan playmaker Fabian O'Neill.

Inter Milan (3) vs. Bologna (9) (Saturday 1930 GMT)

Inter coach Marcello Lippi has been forced into changing the side which beat AC Milan and then drew away to Lazio as defenders Christian Panucci, Ivan Cordoba and midfielder Benoit Cauet are all suspended.

Inter goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi is doubtful with a bruised chest and Fabrizio Ferron is on stand-by. Bologna beat Inter 3-0 earlier in the season but have not won in six matches.

Parma (6) vs. Piacenza (18)

After two consecutive wins ended its poor run of results, Parma has regained hope of making a Champions League qualification spot but will be without injured midfielders Dino Baggio and Paulo Sousa.

Piacenza is stranded at the foot of the table nine points away from safety and is without first choice striker Massimo Rastelli.

AS Roma (5) vs. Reggina (14)

Roma crushed Reggina 4-0 away from home when the sides met earlier this season and will expect to continue its impressive run of eight straight wins at home.

Fabio Capello's team will be without injured Brazilian defender Cafu against a Reggina side who have not won away for ten games and are just two points off the relegation zone.

Udinese (7) vs. Lecce (11)

Lecce has never won in 10 trips to Udinese but will take heart from its 1-0 home win over them earlier in the campaign.

But Udinese has been in explosive form at home putting five goals past Cagliari and Bari, while Lecce have managed only one away win all season.

Venezia (17) vs. AC Milan (4)

Milan defender Jose Chamot and midfielder Diego De Ascentis are both suspended while Brazilian winger Serginho is injured. Luigi Sala, Andreas Guglielminpietro and Demetrio Albertini are  the likely replacements.

Verona (15) vs. Lazio (2)

Despite its lowly position Verona is gaining a reputation as a hard team to beat thanks to an unbeaten run of six games, which includes five draws.

Lazio can't afford to settle for a point and is without suspended Simone Inzaghi, with Chilean Marcelo Salas expected to partner Alen Boksic in attack.
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