Del Piero poised for bench berth against Inter
Reuters - Friday 23 March 2012, 15:12
Brief news ahead of this weekend's
matches in Serie A:
Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero is likely to return
to the bench for the home game against Inter Milan on Sunday despite scoring in the Turin's side's Italian Cup
semi-final triumph over AC Milan in midweek.
The 37-year-old, likely to leave the second-placed outfit
for abroad next season, is used to being a substitute this term
and is expected to be replaced by Alessandro Matri as Juve try
to make up a four-point gap to leaders Milan.
Seventh-placed Inter are struggling to stay in contention
for a Champions League qualifying spot after a woeful season and
victory at their old enemy Juventus would offer a rare chance to
celebrate.
"It is the right night to give some sense to our season,"
midfielder Dejan Stankovic told reporters.
Inter, who could be missing key midfielder Wesley Sneijder
after the Dutch midfielder tweeted that he was unlikely to be
fit for the game, have been linked in the media with a move for
Udinese utility player Mauricio Isla.
Milan, who host AS Roma on Saturday, are set to
send injury-prone striker Alexandre Pato to the United States to
try to clear up his constant hamstring problems.
"It could be that next week he goes to see another luminary
in the U.S., a different one from last time. He will get better;
he has to," Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani told
reporters in a hint that the Brazilian could be sold if the
issues persist.
There was some good news for coach Massimiliano Allegri, who
announced on Friday that Kevin-Prince Boateng was fit to return
from injury.
Milan director Barbara Berlusconi has hailed Roma's new
approach under coach Luis Enrique but still expects a Rossoneri
victory over the sixth-placed side.
"The clash with the Giallorossi could be decisive," she told
reporters. "Roma are strong and unpredictable but I have faith
in Milan. I like the fact Roma are concentrating on young
talent. It is an ambitious project that will lead to good
results."
Third-placed Lazio look likely to be without striker
Miroslav Klose for Sunday's home game with Cagliari after
the German suffered a hamstring injury.
Modest Catania, who could be pushing for a Champions
League spot if they win at European rivals Napoli on Sunday, are far from surprise packages as far as former Italy
coach Marcello Lippi is concerned.
"They have Nicola Legrottaglie in defence, a midfield of
quality and they are still scoring goals despite Maxi Lopez
joining Milan," Lippi told Gazzetta dello Sport.