Leaders Inter aim to soldier on despite injuries

godtabh

Preview

MILAN, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Inter Milan host Torino on Sunday (1400 GMT) hoping to extend their healthy Serie A lead despite a fresh injury setback.

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The champions beat Lazio 3-0 at home on Wednesday without midfielders Luis Figo, Patrick Vieira, Dejan Stankovic and Olivier Dacourt.

Frenchman Dacourt had been expected to return in little more than a month after minor knee surgery but could now be missing for the season.

'It seemed like he'd be out for 40 days instead now there is a risk the championship is finished for Olivier,' Inter boss Roberto Mancini told reporters.

Unbeaten Inter have such belief at the moment that another injury problem is unlikely to knock them off their stride, especially with Stankovic possibly returning at the weekend.

Inter, on 34 points, are three ahead of second-placed AS Roma, who beat Cagliari 2-0 in their game in hand on Wednesday, and eight ahead of Juventus in third with all three having now played 14 games.

Roma striker Francesco Totti managed an hour on Wednesday in his comeback from a month-and-a-half out with a foot problem. The captain wore a special boot and is expected to last longer in Sunday's trip to strugglers Livorno at 1400 GMT.

The Tuscans have improved slightly of late and boast in-form ex-Roma striker Francesco Tavano.

Juventus entertain Atalanta, who hammered Napoli 5-1 last weekend, with influential winger Mauro Camoranesi again a doubt, while Udinese, in fourth, welcome Sampdoria.

Fifth-placed Fiorentina visit Palermo for Saturday's late game (1930 GMT) with Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi ruled out with a knee problem. Struggling Lazio host Catania earlier in the day (1700 GMT).

AC Milan's game at Reggina has been postponed because the European champions are in Japan for the Club World Cup.

Saturday, December 8, 2007
TIME HOME AWAY VENUE
17:00 UK Lazio v Catania Calcio Stadio Olimpico
19:30 UK Palermo v Fiorentina Renzo Barbera

Sunday, December 9, 2007
TIME HOME AWAY VENUE
14:00 UK Empoli v Cagliari Stadio Carlo Castellani
14:00 UK Genoa v Siena Comunale Luigi Ferraris
14:00 UK Inter Milan v Torino Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
14:00 UK Juventus v Atalanta Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino
14:00 UK Livorno v Roma Armando Picchi
14:00 UK Udinese v Sampdoria Stadio Friuli
19:30 UK Napoli v Parma Stadio San Paolo

AC of this week due to the Club World Cup. I think they will suffer alot from this over the long term!

The rest of the top 4 should win. Would like to see the team Inter would pick tomorrow. They have very few options but I do believe they have a good few promising youngsters coming through who have had a few runs of late.

WOuld like to see Napoli play tomorrow as they are on TV but wont be around!

godtabh

Inter romp past Torino to stretch lead

ROME, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Inter Milan crushed Torino 4-0 at home on Sunday to stretch their lead at the top of Serie A to five points.


Zlatan Ibrahimovic set the champions on their way in 38th minute with a penalty, while Julio Cruz, Luis Jimenez and Ivan Cordoba completed the rout in the second half.


The champions have 37 points from 15 games, while second-placed AS Roma have 32 after being held 1-1 at Livorno.

Third-placed Juventus have 29 points after they beat Atalanta 1-0 at home with a splendid Pavel Nedved shot from outside the box in the 86th.

Cant stop Inter these days! Didnt catch the game but it appears they were way to powerful for Torino

Mr. Presentable

Inter get another soft penalty. I'd like to see the stats for penalties awarded this season.

godtabh

nipplenuts wrote: »

Inter get another soft penalty. I'd like to see the stats for penalties awarded this season.

I havent seen the highlights yet but why is it a soft peno? Becasue it was awarded to Inter?