Milan v Torino
Injuries to Roque Jr., Helveg, Shevchenko Chamot and the suspension of Massimo Ambrosini reduces Carlo Ancelotti’s options but an indication of the club’s strength in depth comes with the news that Rivaldo and Alessandro Nesta may be rested. Jon Dahl Tomasson is expected to make a rare while Martin Laursen will get the call should Nesta be rested.
Torino have lost all three of their games this season and have yet to score a goal from open play. Coach Giancarlo Camolese has problems, as Alessandro Conticchio, Vicenzo Sommese and Jose Maria Franco are all unavailable through injury.
Former Milan player, Diego De Ascentis and Alessio Scarchilli are expectedto come into the midfield while Luca Mezzano is expected to relieve Stefano Fattori at the back.
Injuries or not, Milan look a transformed force this season and should be far too strong for a Torino side struggling to emulate last season’s respectable finish. Milan received a wake-up call when they were held to a draw by Lazio last week and the fact that rivals Innter currently top Serie A, should ensure there is no repeat against bottom-of-the-table Torino.
Juventus v Como
Marcelo Lippi’s side without midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi and defender Igor Tudor, both of whom are suspended. However, the return to fitness of French international striker David Trezeguet should offset their loss and with Alessandro del Piero in prime early season form, there is much for Lippi to be optimistic about. Ferrara and Camoranesi are expected to replace Tudor and Tacchinardi.
For Como, coach Loris Dominissini’s only absentee is Tarantino who is injured. Bjelanovic and Benito Carbone will continue up front.
Carbone secured Como’s first point of the season from the penalty spot last weekend against Reggina and although such aresult is unlikely to send confidence soaring, it is all that Dominissini’s side have to go on at the moment.
Juventus were somewhat fortunate to earn a point at Parma lat week and it is difficult to see them suffering the same indignity against a Como side, already caught up in a rellegation battle.
Piacenza v Inter
One suspects that much of the criticism is in part due to the legacy of Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid. Since arriving in Spain, the Brazilian striker has wated little time in criticising Cuper, for what he describes as the club’s negative tactics. Cuper, has where possible, chosen to ignore the accusations but his frosty relations with the Itlian press, have ensured that the embers of a crisis are constantly being stoked.
Injury to striker Christian Vieri, means Inter will start with Hernan Crespo up front against a Piacenza side who have made a good start to the season, beating Brescia and Udinese before narrowly losing out to Bologna last weekend.
Vieri or no Vieri, Inter look too strong for Piacenza and a further three points loook assured.
Full fixtures:
Chievo v Modena
Juventus v Como
Parma v Perugia
Reggina v Brescia
