Previews: Flattered Chiellini commits to Juventus
Reuters - Friday 05 February 2010, 11:28
ROME - Brief news ahead of this weekend's
matches in Serie A:
Giorgio Chiellini has said he is flattered at being linked
to Manchester rivals United and City but wants to stay at
Juventus despite the Turin side's recent problems.
"The interest of big clubs is always nice but I'm happy here
and I think I'll stay a long time, maybe for life," the Italy
defender told reporters.
Juve, who are fifth, sacked coach Ciro Ferrara last week and
brought in Alberto Zaccheroni after being knocked out of the
Champions League, the Italian Cup and sliding down the Serie A
standings.
Zaccheroni is being tipped by the Italian media to start
his tactical overhaul by introducing a three-man defence at
Livorno on Saturday.
He will have to cope without Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko
and Czech defender Zdenek Grygera, who are suspended, and an
array of injured players.
Samuel Eto'o is still trying to shake off the knock to his
right foot he sustained at the African Nations Cup with Cameroon
and is a doubt for leaders Inter Milan's home game against
Cagliari on Sunday.
Inter, who are eight points clear, will be without suspended
playmaker Wesley Sneijder and Brazil defender Lucio.
Defenders Alessandro Nesta and Massimo Oddo and forward
Alexandre Pato are close to regaining fitness for second-placed
AC Milan although all three are likely to be absent at Bologna
on Sunday, media reported.
Francesco Totti and Mirko Vucinic are set to lead the
attack for high-flying AS Roma, who are level with Milan on
points having played one game more, at Fiorentina on Sunday.
Both forwards came back from injury to take part in
Thursday's 2-0 win over Udinese in the first leg of the Italian
Cup semi-final and Vucinic scored a goal.
Coach Claudio Ranieri cannot field the suspended Nicolas
Burdisso while fellow defender Philippe Mexes is a doubt after
taking a knock in the Cup win, in which he scored his side's
second.
Brazilian defender Felipe is suspended for Fiorentina, who
have suffered a dip in form that has taken them down to 11th.
The Florence side are also without Adrian Mutu,
provisionally suspended last week for failing drugs tests.