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Juventus seek Brescia boost as rivals Inter, Lazio go head-to-head Milan (AFP) – Juventus return to their home comforts of Turin after a poor away run, hosting struggling Brescia on Sunday with top spot in Serie A at stake as title rivals Inter Milan and Lazio go head-to-head in the Stadio Olimpico. Inter moved top last weekend ahead of Juventus on goal difference after the eight-time reigning champions’ shock 2-1 defeat at Hellas Verona. Maurizio Sarri’s side will be counting on a win over Mario Balotelli’s lowly Brescia, who are second last in the table. Sarri’s side have been rattled by two successive away defeats, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s late penalty snatching a 1-1 draw in their Italian Cup semi-final, first leg against AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday. “We have to change gears. We need more from everyone,” said defender Leonardo Bonucci with a Champions League last 16 trip to Lyon looming later this month. “There is absolute unity with the coach,” insisted Juventus chief football officier Fabio Paratici. “We have precise ideas along with Sarri which go beyond a game done a little less well or a game done better. “In ten years Juventus have always managed to change cycles and continue to be successful and competitive. The same thing this year, we are in line with expectations.” Juventus have never lost at home in the league against Brescia, with the promoted side winning just four games this season and none since mid-December. In a three-team title race, Lazio are just one point behind the leading duo, and on an 18-game unbeaten run going back to a defeat to Inter back in September. Antonio Conte’s Inter showed signs of fatigue as they fell 1-0 at home to Napoli in the Italian Cup after a stunning derby comeback win. But Inter have lost only one of their last seven games against Lazio while Romelu Lukaku has scored 12 away goals this season for Inter. Lazio boost Serie A top scoer Ciro Immobile who has scored 15 goals at home, for a total of 25 this season. Behind the leading trio Champions League hopefuls Atalanta and Roma also face a direct clash in Bergamo. Atalanta are fourth, 11 points behind Lazio, with Roma a further three points adrift in fifth. The side from the capital have lost their last two games. Napoli, in 11th, look to get back to winning ways at Cagliari, who shocked the southerners in the reverse fixture in Naples.


Milan (AFP) – Juventus return to their home comforts of Turin after a poor away run, hosting struggling Brescia on Sunday with top spot in Serie A at stake as title rivals Inter Milan and Lazio go head-to-head in the Stadio Olimpico.

Inter moved top last weekend ahead of Juventus on goal difference after the eight-time reigning champions’ shock 2-1 defeat at Hellas Verona.

Maurizio Sarri’s side will be counting on a win over Mario Balotelli’s lowly Brescia, who are second last in the table.

Sarri’s side have been rattled by two successive away defeats, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s late penalty snatching a 1-1 draw in their Italian Cup semi-final, first leg against AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday.

“We have to change gears. We need more from everyone,” said defender Leonardo Bonucci with a Champions League last 16 trip to Lyon looming later this month.

“There is absolute unity with the coach,” insisted Juventus chief football officier Fabio Paratici.

“We have precise ideas along with Sarri which go beyond a game done a little less well or a game done better.

“In ten years Juventus have always managed to change cycles and continue to be successful and competitive. The same thing this year, we are in line with expectations.”

Juventus have never lost at home in the league against Brescia, with the promoted side winning just four games this season and none since mid-December.

In a three-team title race, Lazio are just one point behind the leading duo, and on an 18-game unbeaten run going back to a defeat to Inter back in September.

Antonio Conte’s Inter showed signs of fatigue as they fell 1-0 at home to Napoli in the Italian Cup after a stunning derby comeback win.

But Inter have lost only one of their last seven games against Lazio while Romelu Lukaku has scored 12 away goals this season for Inter.

Lazio boost Serie A top scoer Ciro Immobile who has scored 15 goals at home, for a total of 25 this season.

Behind the leading trio Champions League hopefuls Atalanta and Roma also face a direct clash in Bergamo.

Atalanta are fourth, 11 points behind Lazio, with Roma a further three points adrift in fifth.

The side from the capital have lost their last two games.

Napoli, in 11th, look to get back to winning ways at Cagliari, who shocked the southerners in the reverse fixture in Naples.



from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2UPgDm5
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Barcelona (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez said he is prepared for the “biggest challenge of his career” before leaving Qatar for Spain on Saturday, as Barcelona’s legendary former midfielder returns home to take over as coach. Xavi’s appointment was confirmed by Barca in the early hours of Saturday morning and the 41-year-old will be presented to fans at Camp Nou on Monday. “I’m very happy as you can imagine, it’s the biggest challenge of my career,” Xavi told Spanish journalists at Doha airport. “I’m going home and I am very happy.” Xavi faces a huge challenge, with Barcelona adrift of La Liga’s top four, struggling to make the knock-out stages of the Champions League and grappling with debts of more than a billion euros. “I have also experienced bad situations,” Xavi said. “It’s not the best moment in the history of the club but I want to explain what my idea is and to work hard, to make a team. Obviously the first thing is to talk to the players to see how they are.” Xavi left...
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