Lecce set for Inter encounter
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
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US Lecce welcome FC Internazionale Milano and AC Milan play Atalanta BC as both clubs chase leaders Juventus FC.
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By Paolo Menicucci
US Lecce and AC Milan both have the chance to slash Juventus FC's Serie A lead tonight as a full programme of midweek fixtures gets under way with nine Wednesday games.
Contrasting tasks
Juve are five points clear of surprise package Lecce and reigning champions Milan, but the pacesetters wait until tomorrow to welcome AS Roma to Turin. Their nearest challengers face contrasting tasks, as Lecce play in-form FC Internazionale Milano, while Milan are at home to bottom club Atalanta BC.
Free-scoring Lecce
Lecce are the league's top scorers with 18 goals, but Inter are unbeaten in all competitions under new coach Roberto Mancini. Sunday's goalless Milan derby was the Nerazzurri's fifth draw in seven league outings, leaving them three points behind Zdenek Zeman's side in fifth.
Zeman warning
Still, Zeman - whose charges won 4-1 at fellow high-fliers FC Messina Peloro on Sunday - admits that Inter will be a formidable challenge: "We will be making a huge mistake if we think we are at the same level as Inter." Mancini is expected to continue with veteran Alberto Fontana in goal ahead of Francesco Toldo, and partner Adriano with Julio Cruz in attack rather than Christian Vieri.
Nesta rested
On paper, Milan are overwhelming favourites against Atalanta, the only Serie A team without a win. Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti should rest Alessandro Nesta, with fellow central defender Jaap Stam also unavailable due to an ankle problem. A similar injury rules out Filippo Inzaghi against his former club, who gained a useful draw with Cagliari Calcio last Saturday.
Unbeaten Chievo
Fourth-placed AC Chievo Verona, one of only three unbeaten sides along with Juventus and Inter, entertain UC Sampdoria, while Messina look to bounce back from defeat by Lecce when they travel to struggling S.S. Lazio. The Rome club were on the receiving end of Parma FC's first league victory on Sunday, and Silvio Baldini's men hope to continue that form at Cagliari.
Buso bow
ACF Fiorentina visit Reggina Calcio with caretaker Sergio Buso on the bench after the sacking of Emiliano Mondonico on Monday. US Città di Palermo welcome AS Livorno Calcio, who gained their first Serie A win in 55 years on Sunday against Bologna FC. The latter host Udinese Calcio while AC Siena are away to Brescia Calcio.