Inter to test Juve's resolve

By Paolo Menicucci

Leaders Juventus FC play host to FC Internazionale Milano in Wednesday's 'Derby d'Italia' with the meeting of the only sides never relegated from the top flight taking centre stage on a busy night of Serie A action.

Juve surge
Juventus's 5-2 win against US Lecce on Sunday took them three points clear at the top after AC Milan's surprise 2-1 defeat at AC Siena. "We reacted very well to being knocked out of the [UEFA] Champions League," Juventus coach Fabio Capello said. "Against Lecce we showed we are in a good physical shape. At this stage of the season every team has different goals to achieve, so every game is difficult."

Trezeguet out
The Bianconeri's visitors, Internazionale, lie third, 14 points behind Juventus but seven above Udinese Calcio who are fifth in the race for a Champions League place. Injuries affect both teams - Juventus are still without Jonathan Zebina and David Trezeguet, while Adriano, Alvaro Recoba, Marco Materazzi and Andy van der Meyde are sidelined for Inter.

Mind the gap
Second-placed Milan, meanwhile, will expect to recover from their Siena upset at home to AC Chievo Verona, who are in the midst of a relegation battle. The Rossoneri hope to reduce Juventus's lead over the next three games before taking on Capello and company at the San Siro on 8 May.

'Seven finals'
"Facing Juventus at home could be an advantage in the race for the Scudetto," said Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko. "Their match against Inter is difficult but we have to look after ourselves. We have dropped points against 'smaller' teams, so have to play our remaining seven games as if they were all finals." Milan are still missing Andrea Pirlo but welcome back Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf.

European ambition
In the chase for fourth place, UC Sampdoria are two points ahead of Udinese and four clear of US Città di Palermo. The Blucerchiati visit UEFA Cup semi-finalists Parma FC, while Udinese and Palermo entertain AS Livorno Calcio and Brescia Calcio respectively.

Tussle looms
The relegation fight is equally intriguing, with 13 teams involved as only seven points separate eighth-placed AS Roma and third-bottom ACF Fiorentina. The Viola host FC Messina Peloro, while Roma tackle Siena. Bologna FC, who have won just once in their last nine games, travel to Lecce, Reggina Calcio receive bottom side Atalanta BC, and Cagliari Calcio play S.S. Lazio.