║ Serie A Season 2013-14 ║

[Hamsik]

Serie A Preview: Roma out to extend record start
29 October 2013

Roma will be expecting to extend their record-breaking start to the Serie A season when they take on bottom club Chievo on Thursday.

Rudi Garcia's side became the first in Serie A history to make it nine wins from their opening nine fixtures when they overcame a Maicon red card to pick up a 1-0 victory at Udinese on Sunday, and they will be heavy favourites for the visit of Chievo, who have just one win to their name so far.

The strugglers have only ever beaten Roma on three previous occasions, but - encouragingly for this week's visitors to the Stadio Olimpico - two of those came last season as they won 1-0 both home and away.

With Roma five points clear of closest rivals Napoli, their position at the top of the league is under no threat, though the chasing pack will be keen to keep up the pressure on the frontrunners.

Second-placed Napoli head to Fiorentina as part of the main bulk of fixtures on Wednesday, looking to get their away form back on track after a run of victories in their opening three fixtures on the road came to an end in a 2-0 defeat at Roma on October 18.

Rafael Benitez's men have since won 2-0 against Torino and will not want to give an inch in the race for the title.

Currently behind Napoli on goal difference, Juventus could be looking to add significantly to their tally as they welcome lowly Catania to Juventus Stadium.

Juve followed up back-to-back defeats against Fiorentina and Real Madrid with a 2-0 victory over Genoa last time out, and will fully expect make it back-to-back wins against a side who have not beaten them since 2009.

At San Siro, two giants of Italian football go head to head as AC Milan take on Lazio.

Both clubs have struggled to make any impact in the top flight this season, and will view this fixture as a chance to kick-start their campaigns. Milan, in particular, will want to make the most of their home advantage, having failed to pick up a single victory on the road so far this season.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Verona meet Sampdoria at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Cagliari host Bologna, Genoa face off against Parma, Torino head to Armando Picchi to take Livorno and Sassuolo go in search of just their second win of the season as they do battle with Udinese at the Citta del Tricolore.

The week's action, however, kicks off on Tuesday, as Inter Milan take on Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, with the fourth-placed side looking for a first victory over Stefano Colantuono's side since April 2010.

 

[Hamsik]

Serie A Preview: Milan v Lazio
29 October 2013

Lazio will look to reverse recent history as they go in search of their first Serie A win at San Siro against Milan since 1989.

Wednesday's clash will give both sides – who are two of the biggest clubs in Italian football – a chance to revive their season after making slow starts.

Lazio – who last won a league game against Milan at the venue in September 1989 thanks to Paolo Maldini's own goal - have struggled recently, winning just one of their last six matches in all competitions.

After winning three of their first five Serie A fixtures, they have fallen to seventh in the table, with a lack of goals a concern for manager Vladimir Petkovic.

The Rome club have scored 14 goals in nine matches this season – only one side in the top half of the table has scored less – with only midfielder Antonio Candreva having netted more than two league goals, he has four to his name.

Lazio winger Senad Lulic (thigh) will not feature in the clash, while defenders Andre Dias (knee) and Vinicius (hamstring) will also miss out.

Milan will be hopeful a return to San Siro inspires them to victory after they fell to 10th in the table following a 3-2 defeat at Parma on Sunday.

Massimiliano Allegri's side are already 16 points adrift of table-toppers Roma and, despite the season still being in the opening quarter, a 19th Scudetto looks beyond them.

Their abysmal away form is largely to blame, with Sunday's loss just the latest in a string of disappointing results on the road.

Milan have won none of their five away matches this season, losing three and drawing two, while they have conceded 13 goals in the process.

"We keep making the same mistakes away from home," Allegri bemoaned after the loss to Parma.

"Mario Balotelli had a bad game. Now our race to get back near the top is getting tougher."

Milan can take some comfort in their home form, having won three of their four matches at San Siro this season, but they need more from their strikers.

Balotelli, Robinho and Alessandro Matri have scored a combined total of just six goals for a side who are badly missing young star Stephan El Shaarawy (foot) and striker Giampaolo Pazzini (knee).

Defenders Philippe Mexes (suspension), Daniele Bonera (knee) and Matias Silvestre (calf) will also miss the match.

This fixture has not been won by an away side in the last seven meetings, with Milan winning the most recent encounter 3-0 in March thanks to a Pazzini double.

 

[Hamsik]

Samuel set to return for Inter
29 October 2013

Inter defender Walter Samuel will make his first appearance this Serie A campaign in their trip to Atalanta on Tuesday.

Coach Walter Mazzarri confirmed Samuel, 35, would make his first league appearance since April, although he is unsure whether he will be restricted to a substitute cameo or a start at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.

"Samuel will definitely play, I want to give him a chance, he's training well and is an important player," Mazzarri said.

"I need to work out where to use him.

"Injury kept him out for a long time but he'll be involved tomorrow.

"Samuel, being left-footed, could play on the left or in the centre of the back three.

"I'll speak to the three from the backline to gauge their fitness levels and one will be rested, then we have Udinese four days later."

Missing once more for Inter will be defender Hugo Campagnaro (right leg), however, Mazzarri refused to blame his defenders for their inability to keep a clean sheet in their past five without the Argentine stopper.

"I've not seen the other guys make mistakes, Rolando in this case, but it depends if you consider bad luck – like Radja Nainggolan's deflected shot – as mistakes," Mazzarri said.

"I look at the unit as a whole and at individual players, and from this point of view I've not seen any great difference with or without Hugo.

"If a player is missing, I need to pick someone else, I can't just cry about it.

"We've conceded some goals in certain ways, but that's not because a particular player is missing."

On their 76-kilometre trek north-east to tackle their local rivals, Mazzarri said it would be a tough road trip despite the relatively close proximity.

"Bergamo has always been a tricky place to go to and not only for Inter," the former Napoli man said.

"It's a unique stadium, you feel the crowd.

"It's a tough place to play and they're a group of players who have been working with the same coach for a while, they play good football and have some quality players.

"We need to be very focused, something I always stress, and we saw in our last match that when we're all together and focused we can play good football and cause problems for anyone.

"But we're always at risk once we relax."

 

[Hamsik]

Inter appeal Belfodil suspension

Oct 29, 2013 11:50:00 AM

The Algerian was involved in an altercation with Verona's Vangelis Moras and received a two-match ban that the Nerazzurri have contested

Inter have appealed against the two-match ban handed to Ishak Belfodil following his dismissal against Verona.

The match ended in controversial circumstances when Belfodil and Verona's Vangelis Moras were sent off for an off-the-ball altercation.

Inter have now lodged an appeal against that decision to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), while Verona have also announced their intention to challenge the punishment against Moras.

A statement on Inter's official website read: "Inter have appealed the two-match ban issued to Ishak Belfodil by the FIGC's disciplinary committee following Inter v Verona."

Belfodil, 21, will miss Inter's clash away at Atalanta later on Tuesday.

Walter Mazzarri's side ended a run of three Serie A fixtures without a win when they triumphed 4-2 on Saturday and have amassed 18 points from their nine games to put them fourth in the league.

 

[Hamsik]

Mysterious figures at Juventus

Oct 29, 2013 10:15:00 AM

The latest in a series of unexplained events involved a gang of strange men causing confusion at Juventus Stadium in Turin

EXTRA TIME

Eleven mysterious figures were spotted at Juventus Stadium in the latest of a bizarre sequence of unexplained football-related incidents across the world.

Dressed in black robes with intriguing symbols on their chests, the conspicuous figures sat behind the goal at the north end of the stadium in Turin during Juventus' 2-0 victory over Genoa on Sunday.

The gang made signals in unison during the match and they were also seen standing up in unison on several random occasions before returning to their seats.

Turin crowd | Fans were alarmed by the presence of 11 robed men

The latest sighting comes after 11 other figures, also in the mysterious black robes, were seen making similar movements in the crowd at Bayern Munich's 3-2 win over Hertha Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Saturday and at Chelsea's win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The insignia on the chests of the cloaks matches the symbols seen in various landmarks around the world. Franz Beckenbauer, the former Germany captain and coach, was photographed seated close to a robed figure at the Chelsea game and has since released a video providing his explanation of the sightings.

The Kaiser's claims are extraordinary but what do you think is going on? Click here to watch the video and join the mysterious figures conversation: #WINNERTAKESEARTH

New signings | The men held up banners revealing a mysterious message

Juventus supporter Franco Losito explained how the latest appearance of mysterious visitors caused some concern among the crowd near him.

"The guy next to me alerted them to me," he said. "He had an ashen face and I don't really blame him. They were extraordinary really.

"I don't know who on earth they are, but I know I've never seen anything like it before either at a football match or in normal day-to-day life."

The symbols seen in Rio last week were also in evidence on the digital billboards of Times Square in New York a few days later, while a three-metre football displaying the sign, gouged a huge hole in the turf at Hackney Marshes in London last Monday.

Further sightings came at Copacabana and Santa Marta hill in Rio, but it is the appearance of these mysterious figures at football matches that has social media buzzing using the hastag:

 

[Hamsik]

Moratti's Inter future to be decided next month

By Alex Moretto33
Oct 29, 2013 12:46:00 AM

The 68-year-old had previously indicated he had been asked to stay on as president but new owner Erick Thohir has hinted this may not be the case

Massimo Moratti's future at Inter is to be decided next month at a shareholders' meeting, according to new club owner Erick Thohir.

The 68-year-old revealed last week that he had been asked if he wished to continue at the helm of the Giuseppe Meazza side despite selling his majority stake in the club to Indonesian businessman Thohir earlier this month.

Howver, Thohir insists his future is yet to be determined and will be a topic of dicussion at a meeting of shareholders later in November, where they will also look at the youth setup of the club.

"There will be a meeting in which we will discuss with Moratti's future the club," he told the Republika.

"During the meeting we will also discuss long-term plans for the company.

"For the young players, everything will have to be gradual. In the first team, players will be mature.

"This, however, does not mean that I'm not even looking at Under-19 players.

"We must do everything slowly, to ensure they are prepared for the first team.

"Selection must start already from the Under-16 level."

 

[Hamsik]

Serie A: Atalanta 1 Inter 1
30 October 2013

Inter's woes against Lombardy rivals Atalanta continued on Tuesday as they drew 1-1 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.

German Denis cancelled out Ricky Alvarez's 16th-minute opener to ensure Inter are now five games without a win against their opponents.

Alavarez was the first to react when Rodrigo Palacio headed down Mateo Kovacic's deep cross from the right as he got the visitors off to an ideal start.

However, Denis, who scored five goals against Inter last season, proved to be a thorn in the side for Walter Mazzarri's men once more as he beat the returning Walter Samuel in the air to equalise.

The draw moves Atalanta above Parma and into eighth while Inter remain in fourth.

The home side made three changes from Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria, while Samuel made his first appearance of the season for Inter after recovering from injury, replacing Andrea Ranocchia in defence, and Samir Handanovic returned in goal following suspension.

Atalanta had won their last two home games and were the first to threaten through Michele Canini, who saw his close-range header cleared off the line by Fredy Guarin after nine minutes following Handanovic's inability to retain the ball from a corner.

However, Inter were ahead through Alvarez seven minutes later, courtesy of a neat, swivelled finish as he latched onto Palacio’s knock-down to fire his third goal of the season past Andrea Consigli.

Atalanta were quick to set about finding an equaliser, with former Milan defender Mario Yepes twice going close with headers, but Denis would not be denied in the 24th minute.

The forward rose highest to reach a Maximiliano Moralez cross and plant a header past the reach of Handanovic, continuing his hot streak against Inter in the process.

It was played at a frenetic pace thereafter, with Atalanta having the best of the possession despite not threatening Handanovic's goal any further.

Yuto Nagatomo almost put Inter back on top, but his header crashed back off the post four minutes from the break.

Inter were forced into a change of goalkeeper at the break, Juan Pablo Carrizo replacing Handanovic, who appeared to strain a muscle when taking a goal kick in the first half.

Carrizo was forced into his first save a minute short of the hour mark, with Marko Livaja seeing his long-range effort collected at the second attempt.

Inter hit back through Alvarez, when he shimmied well inside the area, before shooting straight at Consigli as both sides pressed for the winner.

Yepes' fierce drive was saved by Carrizo eight minutes from time while Inter saw a penalty turned down a minute later when substitute Mauro Icardi went down in a tumble with Guglielmo Stendardo as the spoils were shared.

 

[Hamsik]

Allegri: Balotelli going nowhere
30 October 2013

Massimiliano Allegri insists Mario Balotelli will not leave AC Milan in the near future, despite being linked with a move to Chelsea.

A recent run of bad form has seen speculation about the Italian striker's future mount, with his agent Mino Raiola suggesting he could be reunited with former manager Jose Mourinho in west London.

But Allegri was defiant as he spoke at a news conference on Tuesday, claiming the forward - who signed from Manchester City in January - was not going anywhere.

"I have absolutely no fear of losing Balotelli in January," he said.

"He is a Milan player who is now living in a time when he's not playing well, but it can happen."

Balotelli previously played under Mourinho at Milan's city rivals Inter, and Raiola had earlier suggested his client could be tempted to re-join Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

"Balotelli and Mourinho could be reunited because they know each other and they didn't leave each other with hate," he told Italia 1.

"They have remained in contact and there is mutual respect.

"It could happen (a move to Chelsea) but (Milan vice-president) Adriano Galliani obviously doesn't want it to."

 

[Hamsik]

Allegri: Balotelli should be left in peace

By Mark Doyle26
Oct 30, 2013 12:24:00 AM

The Rossoneri coach says there is too much focus on the striker's private life and claimed that any dip in form has been "blown out of all proportion"

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has called on the media to leave Mario Balotelli "in peace", arguing that the enigmatic forward should be judged on what he does on the field.

The Azzurri continues to make headlines for his behaviour on and off the pitch, with the 23-year-old having been involved in a minor car accident just a couple of days after his temperament was again called into question following his substitution in Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Parma.

Allegri admitted after the game at the Tardini that he had taken Balotelli off because he feared the strike would get himself sent off, but the Rossoneri coach is baffled that the press remain so preoccupied with what the player does outside football.

"I judge Balotelli based on what he does on the pitch," the former Cagliari boss told reports on Tuesday. "He didn’t do well on Sunday against Parma and I took him off.

"He’ll be available [against Lazio] and I think he’ll play well. He trained well yesterday and I think he should be left in peace as well.

"There’s far too much discussion of the man’s private life. I think that Balotelli should be judged for what he does on the pitch like all other players are."

However, Allegri also claimed that Balotelli's performances are also assessed by the most ridiculously high standards.

"He arrived at the club in January and has done great things with the team since his arrival," the 46-year-old trainer pointed out. "He got 12 goals in his first 13 games.

"He played well at the start of this season as well. It can happen that a player has a dip in form, but when it happens to Balotelli, it’s blown out of all proportion."

 

[Hamsik]

Conte: Pirlo should win Ballon d'Or

By Henry Jackson101
Oct 30, 2013 2:54:00 PM

The 34-year-old remains a key player for club and country and his coach believes he is worthy of winning the prestigious award this year

Andrea Pirlo deserves to win the 2013 Ballon d'Or, according to his Juventus boss Antonio Conte.

The 34-year-old was pivotal in the Old Lady's surge to Scudetto glory last season, and remains a key man for both the Bianconeri and Italy.

And though the likes of Franck Ribery, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are clear favourites for the award, Conte admits he would give it to the classy playmaker.

"For me, if there was one winner it would be Pirlo," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I know it's unlikely to happen, what with players like Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery and [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic up for the award, but he deserves it. It would be great to see him win it."

Conte also expressed his disbelief that Francesco Totti has not made the 23-man shortlist, considering his inspirational performances for Roma so far this season.

"It is incredible that there is no Totti on the list," he continued.

"Fifa must simply have forgotten him."

 

[Hamsik]

Serie A Wrap: Napoli, Juventus earn mid-week victories
31 October 2013

Napoli moved to within two points of Serie A leaders Roma with a 2-1 win away at Fiorentina.

In a game which saw both sides reduced to 10 men in Florence, Rafael Benitez's side took the lead after 12 minutes through Jose Callejon before Giuseppe Rossi equalised for the hosts from the penalty spot 16 minutes later.

Parity lasted only eight minutes however as Dries Mertens put the visitors ahead for a second time, before Napoli's Christian Maggio was dismissed 10 minutes out from the final whistle for a second bookable offence.

Fiorentina then saw Juan Cuadrado sent off in the dying stages, also after receiving a second caution.

Behind Napoli on goal difference are Juventus, who enjoyed a 4-0 home thrashing of 10-man Catania.

Goals from Arturo Vidal on 26 minutes and Andrea Pirlo eight minutes later put the hosts in control at the break, before Carlos Tevez's strike in the 66th minute was added to five minutes later by Leonardo Bonucci.

Catania saw Tiberio Guarente sent off late on, with Antonio Conte's side sealing a comfortable win as struggling Catania dropped into the relegation zone.

They were leapfrogged by Bologna, who claimed their second successive win with a 3-0 result at Cagliari.

Gyorgy Garics put the visitors ahead after 26 minutes, while Cagliari's task was made harder when they saw defender Nicola Murru sent off for a professional foul seven minutes after the break.

Bologna duly capitalised on their man advantage, as goals from Panagiotis Kone on 58 minutes and Michele Pazienza two minutes later put the seal on a resounding win which saw Cagliari fall to their third defeat in four.

Meanwhile, Hellas Verona moved up to fifth in the table thanks to a 2-0 home win over Sampdoria.

Juanito broke the deadlock six minutes after the interval, before Luca Toni's goal 12 minutes from time made the game safe as Verona claimed their fourth win in five matches to move level on points with fourth placed Inter.

Milan's indifferent start to the season continued as they squandered a lead to draw 1-1 at home to Lazio.

Kaka netted his first goal of the season in the 54th minute with a wonderful curling effort but Massimiliano Allegri's side were pegged back by Mickael Ciani's header 18 minutes from time.

Both Livorno and Torino's winless runs were extended as the two sides shared a 3-3 draw.

Visitors Torino got off to a dream start with two goals inside the opening eight minutes from Ciro Immobile and Kamil Glik, but Livorno were level at half-time after goals in the 25th and 33rd minutes from Paulinho and Leandro Greco.

Emerson then gave the hosts the lead for the first time on 62 minutes but they were denied a first win in eight, when Alessio Cerci netted three minutes from time as Torino's run stretched to five without a win.

Sassuolo remain entrenched in the bottom three after they went down 2-1 at home to Udinese.

Antonio Di Natale gave Udinese the lead from the penalty spot after 18 minutes before Simone Zaza equalised for the hosts seven minutes later.

Eleven minutes after the break, Luis Muriel scored what proved to be the winner before Zaza's evening turned sour when the striker was dismissed 10 minutes from time.

Elsewhere, Alberto Gilardino's 57th minute goal saw Genoa climb to 13th after beating Parma 1-0 at home.

 

[Hamsik]

Kaka eyeing World Cup spot
31 October 2013

Kaka confirmed his FIFA World Cup intentions after netting his first goal since returning to Milan in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Lazio.

The 31-year-old, who re-joined the Serie A club from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day, put Massimiliano Allegri's side ahead in the 54th minute at San Siro with a stunning curling shot.

Although the goal was cancelled out by Mickael Ciani soon after to see the points shared, he was thrilled with his own performance and hopes that he may earn a place in Brazil's World Cup squad if he can maintain his form.

"I want to thank Milan for this second chance," he said.

"I have to keep improving several aspects of my game but I'm happy because there has been a big improvement since the game against Torino.

"I will keep trying hard and hope to get to the World Cup in Brazil and have a great one."

Kaka made his Brazil debut against Bolivia in January 2002, and was named in Luiz Felipe Scolari's triumphant World Cup squad alter that year.

He has gone on to make 87 appearances, scoring 29 goals, and last played for his country in a friendly against Japan last October.

The playmaker will now look to help Milan build on their disappointing start to the season, which has left them 10th, when they host Fiorentina on Saturday.

 

[Hamsik]

Pogba set for Juve pay rise
31 October 2013

Juventus are confident that Paul Pogba will extend his contract with the Serie A club and are planning a pay rise for the Frenchman.

Pogba, 20, has been linked with a move away from Turin, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain said to be interested in acquiring the talented midfielder.

The former Manchester United man still has over two years left on his current deal with Antonio Conte's side.

And club direcor Giuseppe Marotta is adamant that Pogba will agree to an extension, despite the speculation surrounding his future.

"Pogba is happy at Juventus and he has no intention of leaving," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"We will soon meet with the Frenchman’s agents to extend our agreement and, at the same time, give him a pay rise for the growth he has shown."

Conte and Juve midfielder Andrea Pirlo were both recognised by FIFA earlier this week, as they were named on the Ballon d'Or shortlists for coach and player of the year.

Pirlo was the only Serie A player to receive a nomination, and Marotta expressed his pride at how the 34-year-old has turned his career around since joining the club after being released by Milan in 2011.

"We are proud," Marotta added. "We re-launched Pirlo and that fills us with joy.

"As for Antonio, he is a young coach, an emerging one and the fact he is included is a motive of honour for all of us."

 

[Hamsik]

'Messi & Ronaldo cannot touch my record' - Inzaghi

By Shane Callaghan194
Oct 31, 2013 5:30:00 PM

The 40-year-old is convinced that his reputation to shine in the biggest finals is unparalleled to anyone else currently playing the game

AC Milan legend Filippo Inzaghi has claimed that his goalscoring record in cup finals is unrivalled by anyone in world football - even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 40-year-old struck a total of eight goals in finals throughout his playing career for both Juventus and the Rossoneri.

But the legendary Italian striker is particularly proud of his goalscoring exploits in 2007, where he fired both of Milan's goals in the Champions League victory over Liverpool in Athens, before scoring a further three times in the club's subsequent wins over Sevilla and Boca Juniors in the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa World Club Cup respectively.

And Inzaghi is confident that his prowess on the big stage will not be matched by anyone - including the Ballon d'Or frontrunners.

"[Then Milan coach] Carlo Ancelotti was uncertain whether or not to play me or Alberto Gilardino in the Athens final, but I played and scored twice," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Then I scored in the Super Cup final win over Sevilla and another two against Boca Juniors.

"Five goals in three finals, which were three of the most important finals and we won all of them. Not even Messi or Ronaldo will achieve that. It's a record I will hang on to."

Inzaghi, now training the younger generation of Milan stars, went on to state that he wants to spend the rest of his coaching career at San Siro.

"Now that I coach the youngsters, what I try to convey to them is that hunger for victories that we had, that endless ambition," he added.

"My dream is to stay at AC Milan for my entire career."

The veteran called time on his 21-year career in July 2012.

 

[Hamsik]

Seedorf reveals Allegri relationship
1 November 2013

Clarence Seedorf has lifted the lid on his fall-out with Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri that led to his exit from San Siro.

Seedorf left Milan in 2012 after a decade at the club, following a bust-up with Allegri that saw his first-team opportunities significantly reduced under the 46-year-old.

The former Netherlands international made more than 300 league appearances for the Serie A club from 2002 to 2012 and was part of the sides that won the UEFA Champions League twice, as well as lifting two Serie A titles.

However, despite a desire to continue playing, Seedorf has revealed that his relationship with Allegri become irreparable, with the coach questioning his fitness and his ability to continue operating at the highest level.

"The reason I left Milan, without a doubt, was because of their current coach Allegri," he told Brazilian TV station SportTv.

"The rapport with him was not the best, as we didn’t get along.

"Milan are changing, (they) have less quality and it will take time for them to get back to the top."

The 37-year-old left Milan for Botafogo in Brazil, but he believes that he could still have performed at San Siro if he had been given the chance.

"From the outside it might've looked as if I was not 100 per cent fit, but at my age you have to keep playing regularly to maintain your muscles," he added.

"Examples are Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs (at Manchester United), who continued playing, but Allegri wouldn’t allow me to."

 

[Hamsik]

Serie A: Roma 1 Chievo 0
1 November 2013

Marco Borriello's second-half header extended Roma's winning run in Serie A to 10 matches with a 1-0 victory over rock-bottom Chievo.

Rudi Garcia's men now boast a record that no team in the history of the Italian top flight can lay claim to, even the Juventus team of 2005-06, whose nine-match winning run from the start of the season is no longer recognised after their results were expunged for match-fixing.

But the hosts were made to work hard for their triumph, with Chievo producing a resilient defensive display that had the league leaders frustrated for more than an hour.

Still, the visitors ultimately slumped to their sixth defeat on the bounce and, for the fourth time in a row, the losing margin was just one goal.

Borriello got on the end of substitute Alessandro Florenzi's cross in the 67th minute to finally end the resistance of Giuseppe Sannino's underdogs and move Roma five points clear at the top.

The hosts made three changes, with Vassilis Torosidis deputising for the suspended Maicon, while Florenzi had to be content with a place on the bench after Marquinho was preferred.

Chievo, who surrendered a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 at home to Fiorentina on Sunday, brought in four new faces, as Dario Dainelli, Gennaro Sardo, Sergio Pellissier and Luca Rigoni were all called up.

Roma applied early pressure but found it difficult to break through as Chievo defended resolutely.

And when opportunities did come their way, Roma were wasteful - Borriello and Kevin Strootman in particular fluffing good first-half chances.

Christian Puggioni was forced into the first save of the match midway through the half when Strootman collected the ball 30 yards from goal and let fly from the edge of the penalty area, with the Chievo goalkeeper punching clear.

It was a similar story after the interval, with Roma controlling possession and forcing the issue, only to find the away side in determined mood.

But, just as Chievo were daring to dream, Florenzi and Adem Ljajic linked well on the left-hand side of the box, with the former chipping in a cross that Borriello headed into the far corner from six yards for his first goal of the campaign.

Chievo thought they had won a penalty when Pellissier was fouled from behind by Mehdi Benatia, but the offside flag had already been raised.

And that was as close as Chievo came to scoring an equaliser, as Roma held on for a slender victory.

 

[Hamsik]

Conte excited by Roma challenge
2 November 2013

Antonio Conte has congratulated Roma on their winning start to the season but insists Juventus are determined to narrow the gap.

Juventus currently sit five points behind the league leaders after the opening 10 matches of the season, which have seen Roma take victory in every one.

The defending champions romped to the title last season, and Conte feels the presence of Roma and Napoli at the top of the table will push them on to better things.

"With regards to Roma, this team has put in some extraordinary performances, because it isn't easy to win 10 consecutive matches," he said. "We can only congratulate them.

"Their progress so far should represent another incentive for us because this year we're not top of the table; we have to chase another team and this situation should increase our determination, even if we know that this year is going to be particularly difficult.

"I've been saying this since the start of the season, and I believe the facts are confirming my thoughts."

Conte's side face Parma on Saturday and the coach expects Antonio Cassano to be a threat for their opponents.

The former Milan, Inter and Real Madrid attacker has scored five goals in 11 appearances for Parma this season, and he has a good record against Juventus, having scored seven times in 20 matches.

"Cassano is a great player and he has been putting in some incredible performances for Parma in the hope of making it back into the national team," he added.

"He will be the most dangerous player in tomorrow's match, but there are also other dangers represented by Amauri, (Jonathan) Biabiany, (Marco) Parolo and many others.

"Therefore we have to be extremely careful."

 

[Hamsik]

Serie A Preview: Milan v Fiorentina
1 November 2013

Milan will play host to Fiorentina on Saturday looking to bounce back from a poor run of form.

Massimiliano Allegri's men have slipped to 10th in the Serie A table and won just two of their last nine matches in all competitions.

Milan's slow start means qualification for the UEFA Champions League appears unlikely, with the San Siro outfit needing to dramatically improve if they are to challenge for a top-three finish.

No side in the top 10 have leaked more than the 17 conceded by Milan, who have also been unable to find a regular source of goals in the absence of Stephan El Shaarawy (foot) and Giampaolo Pazzini (knee).

Lazio held Milan to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, French defender Mickael Ciani scoring a 72nd-minute equaliser at San Siro.

Despite the result, Allegri expressed satisfaction at his team's display and wants to see more of the same against Fiorentina.

"We have to keep working and putting in this sort of performance," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"The side played well in terms of technique and defending, but we lost our unity a little after the equaliser and allowed a couple of dangerous counter-attacks.

"After going 1-0 up we didn't take some more chances, but then with this goal we were caught out after a corner and got punished."

Milan have lost their last two home matches against Fiorentina and will once again be without Philippe Mexes, who serves the last instalment of a four-match suspension.

Fellow defenders Daniele Bonera and Matias Silvestre are also absent, but goalkeeper Christian Abbiati could return from a calf injury.

Fiorentina enter the fixture in sixth place following a 2-1 home defeat to Rafael Benitez's Napoli on Wednesday.

That was the club's first defeat in seven matches, ending a run of form that included a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over reigning champions Juventus.

Fiorentina have lost just one of their seven competitive away games this term and boast the league's top scorer in Giuseppe Rossi.

The former Villarreal striker has made a superb return from a serious knee injury and already has nine goals to his name.

Argentinian defender Gonzalo Rodriguez will return from suspension for Fiorentina, while Mario Gomez and Massimo Ambrosini are doubts after they missed the Napoli defeat.

Juan Cuadrado received two yellow cards for simulation against Napoli, although Fiorentina have appealed his resulting one-game ban.

 

[Hamsik]

Serie A Preview: Parma v Juventus
1 November 2013

Juventus go back on the road to face Parma after responding well to their first Serie A defeat of the season in their previous away match.

Antonio Conte's men recorded convincing home wins over Genoa and Catania to undo some of the damage inflicted upon them by the 4-2 loss at Fiorentina, when they surrendered a two-goal half-time lead.

That result saw the champions lose ground on Serie A leaders Roma but their overall form, which has seen them drop just five points from the 30 available, still has them in a strong position heading into Saturday's match.

And their response to the setback has been impressive, with six goals scored in the previous two games without reply - while only Roma and Inter can better Juve's 22-goal haul this term.

Parma's home record has bailed them out of trouble after Roberto Donadoni's charges kicked off the campaign with a four-match winless run.

A three-game winning streak at the Stadio Ennio Tardini has lifted them to the relative safety of mid-table, but they have not beaten this weekend's visitors in the last four meetings.

Carlos Tevez carries Juventus' most potent threat, with the striker having scored six league goals this season.

The 29-year-old has impressed since joining from Manchester City in the close-season, while Arturo Vidal has provided five goals from midfield to underline the fact that Juve have danger men all over the pitch.

Parma have fared relatively well against Juve on home soil in their two most recent title-winning seasons, holding them to a goalless stalemate in the 2011-12 campaign and a 1-1 draw last term.

Juve's last win in Parma came in January 2010, when a Paolo Castellini own goal sealed a 2-1 victory for the visitors.

The hosts will look to Marco Parolo for inspiration, with the 28-year-old midfielder having scored five of their 16 league goals.

Neither side has any fresh injury concerns, with Fabio Quagliarella and Mirko Vucinic unlikely to return from their thigh injuries for Juventus.

 

[Hamsik]

Serie A Preview: Udinese v Inter
2 November 2013

Inter will seek to snap a run of three straight draws on the road when they head to Udinese on Sunday.

The San Siro outfit lost nine away matches in Serie A last season but are unbeaten on their travels in this campaign, scoring 15 goals in five matches.

Walter Mazzarri's men have been frustrated on their last three trips, however, dropping points against Cagliari, Torino and Atalanta after leading in each fixture.

The visitors face a tough challenge if they are to record a third away victory of the season against Francesco Guidolin's side, who boast an impressive home record.

Udinese were unbeaten in 22 matches at Stadio Friuli until leaders Roma dished out a 1-0 defeat last time out.

A 2-1 victory over Sassuolo on Wednesday helped Udinese recover from back-to-back losses and history is on their side in this fixture, too.

Guidolin led his men to a league double over Inter last term, Udinese scoring eight goals in the process.

The two teams have met 40 times in their history with Inter winning half of them, while Udinese only have 11 triumphs to their name.

Inter come into the game with injury concerns mounting up as six players are unavailable due to injury and Ishak Belfodil is suspended.

Hugo Campagnaro (muscle strain) and Samir Handanovic (hip) join Javier Zanetti (Achilles), Diego Milito (thigh), McDonald Mariga (knee) and Cristian Chivu (foot) on the sidelines for the visitors.

Guidolin has no such problems with a fully fit squad to choose from, and only Giampiero Pinzi is unavailable as he serves a one-match suspension.