Inter, Roma lose star strikers for weekend

godtabh

Preview

MILAN, March 27 (Reuters) - Title-chasing Inter Milan and AS Roma could be without top strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Francesco Totti because of knee injuries this weekend.

Champions Inter, four points clear of second-placed Roma, visit Lazio on Saturday (1930 GMT) with Ibrahimovic a doubt after pulling out of Sweden's midweek friendly with Brazil with a recurring knee problem.

Inter are already missing suspended striker Julio Cruz but Luis Figo is back in training after a knock and fellow midfielder Esteban Cambiasso may shake off a calf injury.

Last weekend's home loss to Juventus has increased the pressure on Inter coach Roberto Mancini, with his side's healthy Serie A lead being gradually eroded by Roma.

Italian newspapers are packed with stories about potential replacements for Mancini after he said he would leave at the end of the season following their Champions League elimination. He changed his mind the next day but his future remains unclear.

Inter's lead may be cut to a point by the time they face Lazio with Roma visiting Cagliari in Saturday's 1700 kickoff.

Totti picked up a knee problem in training and coach Luciano Spalletti will be glad midfielders Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani came through Italy's 1-0 friendly defeat in Spain on Wednesday largely unscathed.

Roma will be wary of their trip to Sardinia after in-form Cagliari won their appeal against a three-point deduction for a legal wrangle and edged up to third from bottom.

Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon was at his towering best against Spain and was only beaten by a wonder strike from David Villa.

The Juventus shotstopper should have an easier time at home to struggling Parma on Sunday when his side will look to further consolidate third place in the table.

Fifth-placed AC Milan, four points behind Fiorentina in fourth, host Atalanta with forwards Kaka, Alberto Gilardino and Filippo Inzaghi all doubtful. Alexandre Pato, who scored a great debut goal in Brazil's 1-0 win over Sweden, is expected to lead the line.

Fiorentina travel to Udinese in sixth.

Saturday, March 29, 2008
Time Home Away VENUE
17:00 UK Cagliari v Roma Stadio Sant'Elia
19:30 UK Lazio v Inter Milan Stadio Olimpico
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Time Home Away VENUE
14:00 UK Juventus v Parma Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino
14:00 UK Genoa v Reggina Comunale Luigi Ferraris
14:00 UK Livorno v Siena Armando Picchi
14:00 UK Catania Calcio v Torino Stadio Angelo Massimino
14:00 UK Empoli v Sampdoria Stadio Carlo Castellani
14:00 UK AC Milan v Atalanta Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
14:00 UK Udinese v Fiorentina Stadio Friuli
19:30 UK Napoli v Palermo Stadio San Paolo

Ibrahimovic should be fit to play. He has been training this week and I think he is named in the squad for tonights game. Its a must win game. Roma have an early kick off so could bring themselfs within one point of Inter.

Cagliari are in a dog fight to keep themselfs up. I dont think it will be an easy day for Roma. I'm hoping for a draw but they should win

godtabh

Inter and Roma draw. Still 4 points in it

armour87

Crespo and Suazo to start for Inter then? I've always wanted to see that partnership in action.

godtabh

armour87 wrote: »

Crespo and Suazo to start for Inter then? I've always wanted to see that partnership in action.

I think Crespo is a fantastic player and should play more often. The only problem he has is his age

Mr. Presentable

Juventus - Parma was abondoned today due to the death of a Parma fan at a motorway services.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar30l.html

The fan who died was attending his first match following a 3 year stadium ban for violent conduct.

Also, bizarrely, this week was the same fixture schedule (reverse) as when the Lazio fan died at a motorway services.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov11q.html

godtabh

nipplenuts wrote: »

Juventus - Parma was abondoned today due to the death of a Parma fan at a motorway services.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar30l.html

The fan who died was attending his first match following a 3 year stadium ban for violent conduct.

Also, bizarrely, this week was the same fixture schedule (reverse) as when the Lazio fan died at a motorway services.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov11q.html

He got knocked down by a bus that was leaving the scene of a fight involvong fans is what I heard happening.