Juve face tough Lazio test

ROME. — Juventus host Lazio in the present day seeking to maintain contact with Italian Serie A soccer leaders Inter Milan earlier than subsequent week’s crunch Champions League recreation towards Porto.

Andrea Pirlo’s aspect are third, with a recreation in hand, 10 factors behind Inter who host Atalanta on Monday in a conflict of the 2 highest-scoring groups in Serie A.

AC Milan are second, six factors adrift of Inter and 4 factors forward of Juventus after a last-gasp 1-1 draw towards Udinese midweek.

The strain is on Pirlo’s injury-hit Juventus to say a tenth consecutive Serie A title.

The Turin giants are additionally trailing Portuguese aspect Porto 2-1 going into the second leg of the final 16 tie in Turin subsequent week with success a precedence within the elite European competitors they final gained 25 years in the past.

“We’re making an attempt to get gamers again from damage, however nothing is definite,” mentioned Pirlo after a snug 3-0 win over promoted Spezia on Tuesday.

Ahead Paulo Dybala stays out injured with Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Juan Cuadrado and Arthur sidelined this week, whereas Matthijs de Ligt pulled up earlier than the win over Spezia.

Pirlo may also be with out younger left-back Gianluca Frabotta, to a one-match ban, with midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur testing constructive for coronavirus.

Juventus have gained every of their final six residence video games in Serie A, maintaining a clear sheet of their final 4.

However Lazio, who held Juve 1-1 within the reverse fixture, might be more energizing after Torino didn’t journey to Rome for this week’s recreation due to a coronavirus outbreak within the northern membership.

Torino haven’t performed their final two video games, towards Sassuolo and Lazio, due to the virus with a scheduled journey to relegation rivals Crotone tomorrow.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli additionally has damage considerations earlier than his aspect journey east to Hellas Verona however is decided to not lose additional floor on Inter.

“I’m fearful concerning the accidents as a result of this can be a decisive second of the season,” mentioned Pioli with star ahead Zlatan Ibrahimovic additionally out.

Eighth-placed Verona are pushing for European soccer subsequent season and have held Juventus and crushed Napoli in latest weeks.

The strain is on Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso after an erratic run of kind.

Gattuso’s aspect are sixth, 5 factors adrift of Atalanta who occupy the ultimate Champions League berth.

Italian Serie A Fixtures

 Immediately: Spezia v Benevento (4pm); Udinese v Sassuolo (7pm); Juventus v Lazio (9:45pm).

Tomorrow: AS Roma v Genoa (1:30pm); Crotone v Torino; Fiorentina v Parma; Hellas Verona v AC Milan (all 4pm); Sampdoria v Cagliari (7pm); Napoli v Bologna (9:45pm).

Monday: Inter Milan v Atalanta (9:45pm).  — AFP.