Juventus remain unbeaten in Serie A but
may have to spend at least another week
second to AC Milan with both facing
winnable outings.
Antonio Conte’s Juve missed their chance
to reclaim top spot on Wednesday after
only managing a 0-0 draw at Parma in one
of their two games in hand.
After the stalemate – Juve’s second on the
trot in the league – Conte hit out at Italian
referees for refusing to award his team
penalties.
A visit from 12th-placed Catania on
Saturday shapes as a great opportunity
for Juventus to return to winning ways,
and they will need their top-scorers
Alessandro Matri (nine goals) and Claudio
Marchisio (six) to help them regain their flair in
attack.
Catania travel to Turin having built confidence
after a 4-0 thrashing of Genoa last time out
extended their unbeaten run to three matches.
But even a win for Juventus is likely to mean
they remain a point adrift of AC Milan, who
travel to struggling Cesena on Sunday.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men impressively
thrashed Arsenal 4-0 in their Champions League
round-of-16 first-leg meeting on Wednesday.
Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted and
assisted in the win, but he will miss the clash
with Cesena because of suspension.
More importantly, Allegri will be without the
Swede for his team’s blockbuster meeting
against Juventus on February 25.
Elsewhere, Inter Milan will be out to end a run
of five matches without a win in all competitions
when they host Bologna on Friday.
Fourth-placed Udinese have suffered
consecutive league defeats, and will be eyeing a
spot on the winner’s list when they welcome
Cagliari to Stadio Friuli.
Lazio do battle with Palermo as they look to stay
in the title race, while Genoa and Chievo meet
on Sunday.
In other matches, Napoli travel to Stadio
Artemio Franchi to meet Fiorentina on Friday,
while Roma host Parma aiming to rebound from
their shock loss to Siena.
Near the bottom of the table, Lecce and Siena
meet and last-placed Novara – who upset Inter
Milan last time out – host Atalanta.
Seria A preview 02/17
