Six Serie A sides were in European action in midweek, but here’s three things to look out for as domestic action returns this weekend.
Fiorentina face bogey side Lazio
Stefano Pioli takes his Fiorentina team to Lazio this weekend, a side in which he took charge of for 91 games between June 2014 and April 2016. “Lazio are a good team, but for them to get into the top four, they’ll have to fight,” the Viola boss told his pre-match press-conference. “If they finish fifth, it’s because Juve, Napoli, Roma and Inter are really good teams.”
He also took time to praise his opposite number Simone Inzaghi, who has secured nine out of 12 victories in the opening rounds of Serie A this term. “Inzaghi? He’s doing a great job,” he continued. “They could have a season like the last one if all their players stay fit.”
Pioli may be grateful then, that Lazio are struggling with injury problems ahead of the tie, with Davide Di Gennaro, Felipe Anderson and Felipe Caicedo, Nani and Brazilian defender Wallace all unavailable. Lazio do seem to enjoy facing the Viola, as Fiorentina are the team against which they have won the most games (50) and scored the most goals (185) in domestic competition.
However, it isn’t all doom and gloom for fans of the Tuscan side as they have won two of their last three Serie A games against Lazio, after four consecutive losses. Expect an exciting encounter as the last three between these two teams have averaged 4.7 goals per game.
Juve look to bounce back
After a shock defeat to Sampdoria last weekend, Juventus managed to hold Barcelona to a 0-0 draw at home on Wednesday evening, and must beat Sunday’s opponents Crotone in order to keep pace with Serie A leaders Napoli. The Bianconeri are also on the verge of equalling their own record for scoring in consecutive league games with the current tally standing at 42.
The league record is 43 at the moment, also set by the Old Lady between February 2013 and March 2014. It seems likely that they will indeed achieve this feat, with Crotone only having kept a clean sheet on one previous occasion in their last 25 outings, against Pescara last May. The Pitagorici also hold the lowest passing accuracy rate in the league (69%), whilst only Napoli (89%) can boast a higher rate than Juventus with 87%.
Baptism of fire for new Udinese boss
Massimo Oddo replaced the hapless Gigi Delneri at Udinese this week, and he faces a stern first test at home to Napoli. The Partenopei are now unbeaten in their last 20 away league games, and are yet to lose a Serie A match this season.
The Zebrette sit just three points from the relegation zone, and have lost their last four home games against this Sunday’s opponent, but the new boss refused to lay all the blame at Delneri’s door. “I know that when things aren’t going well it’s not just the coach’s fault,” he said in his first press conference this week. “I’ve been there. I’m very happy, this is a club with ambition and great facilities, the training ground and the stadium for example.”
