Italian soccer fans all over the country will be rooting for Cagliari at the weekend as the rock bottom Sardinians entertain league leaders Inter Milan.
There is a great fear here that this season's title race will go the way of last season's and turn into a nerazzurri procession.
Inter cantered to the title in May, finishing more than 20 points clear of second-placed Roma.
And after just 15 games of the season, they are already five points clear of Roma, eight clear of third-placed Juventus and out of sight of the rest of the league.
And to make matters worse, Roma and Juventus both face tricky away ties -- at Torino tomorrow and Lazio today respectively -- while Inter will be expected to coast to the three points in Sardinia.
Cagliari were trounced 4-1 at previously bottom Empoli a week ago but responded with a 1-0 Italian Cup victory over Sampdoria on Wednesday.
But facing Inter is a totally different proposition, as Torino found out last week. Having held on almost until half-time they ended up on the wrong end of a 4-0 hiding at the San Siro.
With AC Milan still away in Japan trying to claim the Club World Cup, focus will also switch to the Champions League qualification race.
Udinese are in fourth spot only one point behind Juventus.
They travel to Catania with Italy striker Fabio Quagliarella in scintillating form having scored five goals in his last four games.
Fifth-placed Fiorentina are in dire need of a boost having picked up just one point from their last four games.
They trail Udinese by four points and also face a tough trip to Sampdoria tomorrow.
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