Friday 29 February 2008

Serie A Week 26: Weekend Preview

Inter go into this weekend's game at Napoli on Sunday night believing they may have delivered a knock-out punch to Scudetto contenders Roma.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini saw his side grab a 1-1 draw against the Giallorossi on Wednesday night after Javier Zanetti struck late to cancel out Francesco Totti's earlier goal.

The Nerazzuri were below their best in the game, but remain unbeaten to hold on to their nine-point lead over the Eternal City giants with 13 games remaining.


"I am satisfied with the result," said Mancini, whose team were forced to play the final 20 minutes of the game with 10 men after Maxwell was injured following his third and final substitution.

"This draw tastes like a victory especially considering how the game developed.

"We were a goal down, we had to play at a numerical disadvantage for the last 20 minutes of the game, risking another goal. But we showed character and we were able to equalise.

"Now nine points are many and if they haven't beaten us with the many problems we had it's a good sign."

Roma go into their clash at home to Parma on Saturday crying foul over the referee's decision to send off Philippe Mexes for two yellow cards minutes before Zanetti's equaliser.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said: "It was absolutely not a foul."

Totti, who ended his goalscoring drought on Wednesday, added: "This wasn't just a little help that Inter got by the referee, it was a huge present."

Third-placed Juventus will be hoping top scorer David Trezeguet will have recovered from a virus in time to take his place for the home match against Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon as they attempt to return to winning ways.

Trezeguet has missed the past two encounters with the flu and in his absence the Bianconeri lost at Reggina before being held to a goalless draw by city neighbours Torino in midweek.

Fiorentina are just four points behind Juve and defeat for the Viola would be a blessing for AC Milan provided they beat Lazio at the San Siro in Saturday's evening game.

The Rossoneri are just two points behind Fiorentina, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Sixth-placed Udinese will be desperate to bounce back from defeats against Genoa and Parma when they entertain Atalanta.

The Friuli outfit will be under pressure to win their first game at home since December with Sampdoria and Genoa just one point behind them in the table.

Samp host relegation-threatened Torino while Genoa travel to Sardinia to meet bottom side Cagliari.

Palermo will be looking to avoid their fourth consecutive defeat on the road when they take on Reggina at the Stadio Oreste Granillo.

Struggling Livorno will have an added motivation to beat Catania with victory enabling them to climb out of the relegation zone at the expense of their rivals.

Empoli and Siena will battle it out at the Stadio Castellani with both Tuscan sides level on 25 points.

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