Serie A: Torino have new coach for Inter visit

godtabh · 19-04-2008 5:46pm #1

MILAN, April 17 (Reuters) - Torino's new coach Gianni De Biasi will look to spoil Inter Milan's day when the leaders visit Turin this weekend while title rivals AS Roma have an easier-looking task at home to bottom club Livorno.

De Biasi quit Spain's Levante on Wednesday for a third stint at Torino, who are four points above the relegation zone with five matches to play.

He will hope for a quick pick-up in form against the champions on Sunday (1830 GMT) but he will be without on loan Inter playmaker Alvaro Recoba, who is suspended.

Inter, four points ahead of Roma, have Patrick Vieira out with a ban while striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to be troubled by a knee problem.

Luis Figo hurt his calf in Wednesday's dull 0-0 home draw with Lazio in the Italian Cup semi-final first leg where Inter largely fielded a reserve line-up.

Roma beat Catania 1-0 in their semi-final first leg thanks to a thunderous shot from Francesco Totti, who is coming back into form at the right time after a number of niggles.

Livorno are two points adrift of safety but will be buoyed for Saturday's match (1600) by relegation rivals Parma's 3-0 defeat at third-placed Juventus in the league on Wednesday.

That win all but sealed Juve's spot in next season's Champions League qualifiers as they lead fifth-placed AC Milan by 12 points.

Claudio Ranieri's side travel to Atalanta on Sunday (1300) knowing that if they better Milan's result at home to third from bottom Reggina, they will secure a qualifying spot.

Stuttering Milan, Champions League winners last season, have defenders Kakha Kaladze and Alessandro Nesta back from bans but Massimo Ambrosini and Daniele Bonera are suspended with striker Alexandre Pato a doubt with a knock.

Milan can still reach the Champions League qualifiers by overhauling fourth-placed Fiorentina, who have a four-point advantage and host Palermo on Saturday (1830).

Sampdoria in sixth are level on points with Milan and face seventh-placed Udinese on Sunday in a crunch match in the race for Europe.

Saturday, April 19, 2008
Time Home Away VENUE
17:00 UK Roma v Livorno Stadio Olimpico
19:30 UK Fiorentina v Palermo Artemio Franchi
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Time Home Away VENUE
14:00 UK Atalanta v Juventus Stadio Azzurri D`Italia
14:00 UK Sampdoria v Udinese Comunale Luigi Ferraris
14:00 UK Siena v Genoa Artemio Franchi Montepaschi Arena
14:00 UK Parma v Napoli Stadio Ennio Tardini
14:00 UK Catania Calcio v Lazio Stadio Angelo Massimino
14:00 UK AC Milan v Reggina Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
14:00 UK Cagliari v Empoli Stadio Sant'Elia
19:30 UK Torino v Inter Milan Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino

Some interesting games this week.

Wouldnt mind seeing the Juve game.

I think the top 4 will win out side of that its difficult to call. I reckon there will be a good few draws.

Bubs101 · 19-04-2008 7:05pm

Roma 1-1

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV · 20-04-2008 2:34pm

juve up 0-2 away from home in the first 4 minutes, del piero assist and del piero goal, surely donadoni will call him up for euro 2008!

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV · 20-04-2008 2:37pm

another del piero goal on 30th min, whoa they are on fire, beat the offside trap, made a nice run, took the keeper one on one with a little pressure from a defender chasing him down.

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV · 20-04-2008 3:26pm

Del Pierrrrrrrooooooooooooooooo , Hattrick for el Captano! a true footballing Legend. 4-0 65 mins gone. no doubt he will be called up now! bring on Austria/switzerland(is it?) anyways. euro 2008!