Serie A wrap: Inter slump to another defeat

27 February 2012 03:37

Inter Milan's winless streak extended to eight matches as they were beaten 1-0 by Napoli in the Serie A on Sunday.

The pressure on Inter boss Claudio Ranieri is set to rise again this week, with seven of those eight fixtures ending in defeats for the Italian giants.

Napoli entered the match on the back of a 3-1 Champions League triumph against Chelsea in midweek and they made it four wins in succession with their slender victory.

Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi, who scored a double against Chelsea, bagged the only goal of the match after 59 minutes when he converted Blerim Dzemaili's assist.

Napoli had defender Salvatore Aronica sent off for a straight red card with 11 minutes to play but still held on for victory in front of the Stadio San Paolo faithful.

Udinese remain in third after a 3-1 win at Bologna, with Antonio Di Natale, Dusan Basta and Antonio Floro Flores scoring for the winners.

Lazio kept the pressure on Udinese though, with Miroslav Klose's first-half goal enough to see them defeat Fiorentina 1-0.

German Denis hit a hat-trick in Atalanta's 4-1 thumping of Roma while Siena beat a 10-man Palermo by the same scoreline.

In other matches, strikes to Luis Muriel and Andrea Bertolacci gave Lecce a 2-1 victory at Cagliari, Catania toppled Novara 3-1 and Davide Moscardelli's late strike helped Chievo to a 1-0 success against bottom-placed Cesena.

Serie A preview: Milan, Juve set for showdown

25 February 2012 03:03

Andrea Pirlo can strike a blow against his former employers when Juventus travel to AC Milan in a match that could decide the Serie A title.

Juventus are a point behind the league-leaders and have a game in hand.

A win on Saturday, as well as in their spare game on March 7 against Bologna, could mean a five point gap over Milan for Pirlo and his teammates.

Pirlo joined the Turin-based club in May, after the reigning champions let his contract expire.

The 32-year-old has started 22 of Juventus' 23 matches in Serie A this season, with six assists and a goal.

Pirlo has been crucial to Juventus' unbeaten run, linking well with the rest of Antonio Conte's midfield, and he will be hoping to continue his side's dominance over Milan this season.

Claudio Marchisio scored twice as Juventus won 2-0 at home against Milan in October, while Juventus also triumphed in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg earlier this month, defeating their rivals 2-1 in Milan.

Milan have won three matches in a row since that reverse, including a 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in the Champions League.

In Saturday's other match, Genoa will host Parma.

On Sunday, Napoli will host Inter Milan, fresh from their impressive victory over Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Napoli's attacking trio of Edinson Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi were again brilliant as the Italian club won 3-1.

Inter Milan did not fare as well mid-week, losing 1-0 to Marseille thanks to a last-second goal to Andre Ayew.

Udinese, who are third in Serie A, need to beat Bologna away if they are to maintain their chance of catching the two clubs at the top.

Lazio are in the same position and they take on Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Roma can move to within a point of their cross-town rivals if they beat Atalanta and Lazio lose, while Palermo will be in Siena for a game that could see the hosts move five points clear of the relegation zone with a victory.

The bottom three clubs will all travel on Sunday.

Cesena head north to take on Chievo Verona, Novara will be in Sicily to play Catania, and Cagliari will welcome Lecce to Sardinia.