AC Milan’s bid to close a yawning gap to Serie A pacesetters Juventus, AS Roma and SSC Napoli faces another reality check in the city derby at Inter tomorrow.
After another inauspicious start to the season, Milan sit midtable, but 24 points adrift of leaders Juventus and, perhaps more worryingly, with a 16-point deficit to Napoli, who occupy the final UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.
The chances of Milan salvaging a top-three finish at the end of the season look slim and goalkeeper Christian Abbiati admits a win in the Rossoneri’s final game before the festive break would be welcome.
“The derby is always a spectacular match and we probably need this win a bit more than them at the moment,” Abbiati said on Thursday. “We’ll have to defend with all 11 players on Sunday.”
The first Milan derby of the season is one of the high points of the pre-Christmas program, but the San Siro shared by both clubs will not be full.
Inter, who sit fifth, 15 points behind Juve and seven behind Napoli, will have their Curva Nord section of the stadium closed as a punishment after fans were found guilty of chanting “discriminatory” remarks against Napoli fans.
“I don’t think this will be good for the image of our game,” Inter coach Walter Mazzarri told Sky Sport Italia.
However, the Nerazzurri boss will likely be more concerned by what is happening on the pitch.
Losing the first derby of the season to a struggling Rossoneri would do little to boost Mazzarri’s stock, especially with Inter having taken only three points from their past four games.
Inter are set to welcome Mauro Icardi back to the fray following an absence due to a groin injury.
Although he may only make an appearance from the substitute’s bench, the Argentine striker is fired up by the memory of having scored his maiden Serie A goal, for UC Sampdoria, against Milan last season.
“I dream the derby will be like last season when I scored on my Serie A debut with Sampdoria,” Icardi told Sky Sport Italia. “All I can think about is giving my all when I come off the bench, because I’m coming on to help my teammates and I have to get back to their level.”
Meanwhile, Juventus bounced back from the disappointment of their UEFA Champions League exit last week with a 4-2 win over Inter and will look to extend their five-point lead over Roma away at Atalanta BC.
Despite their exit in Europe, Antonio Conte’s side boast solid form on the domestic front having won their past eight games without conceding a goal.
However, Conte leads his side to Bergamo hoping to forget seeing his name linked to the latest episode of the Calcioscommesse match-fixing scandal to have resurfaced in Italy earlier this week.
The Juve coach served a four-month ban at the start of last season as punishment for the role he played in the affair in his former role as coach of AC Siena.
“There is nothing new or relevant from a legal point of view. I have been judged by the sporting authorities and served a painful suspension,” Conte said.
Defeat to Atalanta, who have lost only once at home this season, to ACF Fiorentina, would give some hope to title-chasers Roma, who dropped precious points in a draw at Milan on Monday, but who should bounce back against Catania.
Napoli, who like Juve exited the UEFA Champions League, are away to Cagliari in what should be an easy three points for Rafael Benitez’s side in today’s late match.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely