Italian Serie-A Preview

Claudio Ranieri is confident Inter Milan's players can make life difficult for his former club Juventus when the two sides meet at the San Siro on Saturday. Last season's runners-up Inter have struggled in attack and defence and head into the contest with just two wins from eight games. Inter were held to a 1-1 draw at Atalanta on Wednesday and are 16th in the standings, just two points above the relegation zone.

"I would be lying if I said that I was happy with the point taken at Atalanta," Inter manager Ranieri told his club's official website. "But I am certain we will face Juventus with the right spirit.” They are in good form and this will be a good test for us." Ranieri guided Juventus for two seasons before being sacked in May 2009. He then had successful spells with Parma and Roma.

Juventus, coached by Antonio Conte, beat Fiorentina 2-1 on Tuesday to take over sole leadership of Serie A. The Turin giants are the only unbeaten side in the league and have an eight-point advantage over Inter. Udinese and Lazio trail Juventus by a point after disappointing midweek results.

Lazio were held to a 1-1 home draw by Catania while Udinese conceded their first defeat of the campaign, a 2-0 loss at Napoli. Lazio travel to Sardinia this weekend to face Cagliari while Udinese take on Palermo at the Friuli stadium, having won all of their home games so far. Defending champions AC Milan travel to the capital to face Roma, and Milan are riding a three-match winning streak. Massimiliano Allegri's side has struck eight goals in their last two league games and is two points adrift of Juventus.

Fourth-placed Napoli will look to end Catania's five-match unbeaten run when the two teams square off at the Angelo Massimino stadium. Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic will be under pressure heading into Sunday's game against Genoa, with his side having failed to win any of its last five games. Bologna coach Stefano Pioli is hoping his team will build on Wednesday's 1-0 triumph at Chievo when they welcome Atalanta to the Renato Dall' Ara stadium.

Siena take on Chievo on Sunday looking for their third straight victory at home in Tuscany. Novara travel to Lecce looking for their first win on the road this season. The promoted outfit has clinched just one point in four games away from home. Bottom-side Cesena will go to Parma trying to end their winless run. The Emilia-Romagna club has claimed just three points - all from draws.

Italian Serie-A Weekly Review

Juventus and Udinese moved back into a share of top spot in Serie A after posting impressive wins on Sunday.

Udinese held the leadership outright for a few hours following their 2-0 win over Bologna in the afternoon but they were joined once again by Juve, who beat AC Milan 2-0 in the late kick-off.

Juve's bid to register a third win from five league games appeared to be floundering with the game 0-0 after 85 minutes but midfielder Claudio Marchisio popped up with a late brace to sink the struggling Rossoneri.

In between the goals, Milan had Kevin-Prince Boateng sent off after he collected a second yellow card for clipping Giorgio Chiellini in the face with his arm.

Udinese had a more straightforward victory.

Medhi Benatia opened the scoring in the 29th minute and Antonio Di Natale added a second from the penalty spot 18 minutes from time.

Palermo and Cagliari joined Napoli - 3-0 winners at Inter Milan on Saturday night - on 10 points, one adrift of top spot.

Giulio Migliaccio's first goal of the season and an injury-time Abel Hernandez penalty helped Palermo continue their impressive home form with a 2-0 win over Siena.

Long-serving midfielder Migliaccio set Palermo on their way, opening the scoring in the 19th minute, and, despite Devis Mangia's side being reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when Federico Balzaretti was sent off, the hosts kept hold of their lead before Hernandez sealed the win from the spot late on.

Palermo are unbeaten at the Stadio Renza Barbara since May 22.

Two first-half goals allowed Cagliari to somehow snatch a 2-0 victory over Lecce at Via del Mare.

Thiago Ribeiro put the visitors ahead 10 minutes in and, after Lecce went close to an equaliser on several occasions, Davide Biondini made it 2-0 before the interval.

The hosts continued to press for the remainder of the game but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Michael Agazzi.

Miroslav Klose grabbed a late winner to hand Lazio an impressive 2-1 victory at Fiorentina.

Fiorentina took an eighth-minute lead through Alessio Cerci but Hernanes equalised before the half-hour mark and although Fiorentina looked the most likely to snatch all three points, it was Germany international Klose who headed in the winner with seven minutes remaining.

Cesena picked up their first point of the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Chievo but should have claimed a victory.

The hosts went into the contest at the Dino Manuzzi stadium with nothing to show for their efforts from the first four games of the season but could have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the second half.

However, Adrian Mutu saw his effort saved by Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino as the contest finished goalless.

Sebastian Giovinco inspired Parma to only their second win of the season to lift them out of the relegation zone as they beat Genoa 3-1.

The Italy international scored two and created the third against an off-colour Genoa, who slumped to their second straight defeat.

Giovinco scored his first in the 29th minute before adding a second from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute.

He then turned provider for the third goal, scored by captain Stefano Morrone in the 50th minute.

Rodrigo Palacio scored a consolation for Genoa with the final kick of the game from the penalty spot.

Alejandro Gomez's stoppage-time equalizer earned Catania a dramatic 3-3 draw against Novara at the Stadio Silvio Piola.

The hosts twice came from behind to get back on level terms, Marcio Rigoni's penalty cancelling out Nicola Legrottaglie's 14th-minute opener and Takayuki Morimoto equalizing again after Francesco Lodi had restored Catania's advantage.

Promoted Novara then went in front for the first time in the 85th minute through substitute Jeda, only for Gomez to snatch a draw for the visitors in the first minute of added time.

On Saturday, Napoli moved temporarily to the top of the table with a convincing win at Inter Milan, ending Claudio Ranieri's winning start to life as manager of the Nerazzurri .

Walter Mazzarri's side laid out their title credentials in style with a 3-0 success at the San Siro.

A red card for Joel Obi and a dubious penalty decision in the 43rd minute helped Napoli on their way - although Marek Hamsik missed the penalty, Hugo Campagnaro converted the rebound.

Further goals from Christian Maggio and Hamsik in the second half earned Napoli all three points.

In Saturday's other game, Roma won their second game in a row, beating Atalanta 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico to end the Bergamo side's unbeaten start to the campaign.

Bojan Krkic opened his account for the Giallorossi in the 20th minute before Pablo Osvaldo added a second after half an hour.

German Denis opened the game up with a goal in the 48th minute, but Fabio Simplicio settled Roma's nerves with the winner nine minutes from the end.

Italian Serie A Preview

Inter Milan will host Napoli on Saturday in Serie A, with both sides coming off confidence-lifting Champions League wins in midweek.

Inter beat CSKA Moscow 3-2 away in Russia to continue their revival under new manager Claudio Ranieri, while Napoli were 2-0 home winners over Villarreal.

While both camps were victorious on Tuesday, they also paid the price in the medical room, as Inter's Giampaolo Pazzini and Napoli's Edinson Cavani are both in doubt for the clash at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza with respective ankle injuries.

Pazzini picked up a sprained left ankle and was substituted in the 49th minute in Tuesday's clash, while Cavani also sprained an ankle and limped off on 71 minutes of Napoli's encounter with Villarreal.

Also on Saturday, Roma - placed 12th with five points from four games - welcome an unbeaten Atalanta outfit to the Italian capital.

After incurring a six-point penalty at the start of the season, newly promoted Atalanta have worked off their deficit to sit in 15th place on four points, having won three and drawn one.

On Sunday, Juventus host AC Milan in the late kick off, aiming to preserve top spot on the league table.

However, with one point separating the top eight teams, Juve's spot at the top will not last long unless they defeat the defending champions.

Milan had little trouble in the Champions League on Wednesday, dispatching of Czech side Viktoria Plzen.

Elsewhere, Udinese - tied for points with leaders Juve - will host winless Bologna, while Parma and Genoa will face-off after both sides lost their last league encounter.

Promoted Siena are on the road to Palermo, while Cagliari will be hunting back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in their past 40 games when they travel to strugglers Lecce.

Cesena, placed bottom of the league, will aim for their first league points at home to in-form Chievo, and fifth-placed Fiorentina host Lazio.

Novara and Catania will do battle in Sunday's early kick off.

Ranieri Set For Inter

Claudio Ranieri appears set to be appointed as the new manager of Inter Milan and is understood to be negotiating the final details of his contract.

The former Chelsea, Valencia, Juventus and Roma boss has emerged as the leading candidate after Gian Piero Gasperini was sacked just three matches into the new Serie A season.

England boss Fabio Capello was also linked with Inter, but the Football Association is understood to be confident he is intent on remaining in his job until after Euro 2012.

Ranieri, who left Roma in February, and his agent were said to be meeting with Inter officials on Wednesday evening and were holding discussions over the length of the Italian's contract.

Media in Milan have speculated the 59-year-old is on the brink of signing a one-year deal with the option for an additional 12 months.

Inter president Massimo Moratti decided it was time for a change after Gasperini's side lost 3-1 at newly-promoted Novara on Tuesday night - their fourth defeat in five games.

The Italian giants are as a result in the process of appointing their fourth coach since Jose Mourinho walked away from the club on the back of an historic Treble in 2010.

Rafa Benitez, Leonardo and now Gasperini have all come and gone, with all three failing to replicate the success enjoyed by Mourinho.

Italian Serie-A Preview

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti expects his club to bounce back after a disappointing week to start the season.

Having lost to AC Milan in the Italian Supercup last month, Inter began their Serie A campaign with a 4-3 defeat at Palermo and then fell again on Wednesday night at home to Champions League newcomers Trabzonspor.

Moratti's side host Roma on Saturday.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is under pressure to obtain a good result but he is apparently not in danger of losing his job.

"Don't expect any sudden decisions," said Moratti, when asked about Gasperini after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat.

"I thought the team played well even though it lacked the finishing touch.

"Probably the players were shocked after the defeat to Palermo.

"I don't believe the coach is at fault.

"The team missed a couple of chances and then it conceded a goal.

"Football is like this."

Moratti did admit, however, losing to Trabzonspor was the last thing he had expected.

"I'm disappointed because we have lost our first game against a team that has no experience in the competition," said Moratti.

Rivals Roma, meanwhile, lost 2-1 at home to Cagliari last weekend.

Draws against Lazio and Barcelona in Serie A and the Champions League, respectively, have left AC Milan seeking their first win of the campaign on Sunday.

AC Milan face a tough game at Napoli, who followed up their 3-1 win at Cesena with a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Antonio Conte has got off to a good start as coach of Juventus, the club he once played for.

He is likely to have strange emotions this weekend when he leads the Turin giants in Tuscany against Siena, the side he led to promotion last season.

Juve, who are not competing in Europe, thumped Parma 4-1 last weekend.

Lazio, who got goals from summer signings Djibril Cisse and Miroslav Klose in their season-opener against Milan, host Genoa.

Palermo, having come from behind twice in their victory over Inter, play at Atalanta on Sunday.

Fiorentina had just three wins on the road last season so they will be hoping for an improvement starting with their first away game this weekend at Udinese.

Parma will try and bounce back from their heavy defeat at Juventus when they host Chievo on Sunday.

Bologna will be bolstered by the return of Jose Angel Crespo, Daniele Vantaggiato and Gaston Ramirez for Sunday's match against Lecce.

The trio missed last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina through suspension.

Catania coach Vincenzo Montella expects a vast improvement from his players in Sunday's game against Cesena.

The Sicilian outfit was held to a goalless draw by Siena in their first game.

Novara are to visit Sardinia on Sunday to take on Cagliari and will be looking for their first win in Serie A in 55 years.

The promoted outfit drew 2-2 at Chievo last Sunday.

Italian Serie-A Preview

The new season of Serie A gets underway this week with AC Milan and Lazio contesting the pick of the opening day fixtures.

Last week was due to herald the start of the new campaign, but a player strike ensured Milan would have to wait to defend their title

The Rossoneri are the heavy favourites to retain the Scudetto, but city rivals Internazionale will be hot on their tails after the summer signings of Diego Forlan and Mauro Zarate.

Juventus and Roma have also made some astute acquisitions, with the former persuading Andrea Pirlo to move from the San Siro, and the latter reinforcing their squad with La Liga duo Bojan Krkic and Fernando Gago.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, newly promoted duo Atalanta and Novara are expected to seal an instant return to Serie B, while Lecce could also be relegated, having survived by the skin of their teeth least term.

AC Milan (Title odds: 6/5)

Ins: Antonio Nocerino; Alberto Aquilani; Stephan El Shaarawy; Zlatan Ibrahimovic; Gianmarco Zigoni; Marco Amelia; Kevin-Prince Boateng; Philippe Mexes; Taye Taiwo.

Internazionale (Title odds: 2/1)

Ins: Andres Ona; Mauro Zarate; Andrea Poli; Diego Forlan; Jonathan; Ricky Alvarez; Rodrigo Alborno; Emiliano Viviano; Luca Tremolada; Dennis Esposito; Yuto Nagatomo; Luc Castaignos.

Juventus (Title odds: 13/2)

Ins: Eljero Elia; Marcelo Estigarribia; Emanuele Giaccherini; Mirko Vucinic; Arturo Vidal; Stephan Lichtsteiner; Matteo Trini; Alessandro Matri; Fabio Quagliarella; Marco Motta; Simone Pepe; Andrea Pirlo; Frederik Sorensen; Michele Pazienza.

Roma (Title odds: 10/1)

Ins: Fabio Borini; Fernando Gago; Miralem Pjanic; Simon Kjaer; Pablo Osvaldo; Ivory Coast ; Alain Pierre Mendy; Alessandro Malomo; Maarten Stekelenburg; Bojan Krkic; Gabriel Heinze; Jose Angel; Loic Nego; Erik Lamela; Emiliano Massimo; Enrico Citro; Gianluca Curci; Stefano Guberti.

Napoli (Title odds: 20/1)

Ins: Ignacio Fideleff; Cristian Chavez; Goran Pandev; Umberto Varriale; Gokhan Inler; Mario Santana; Miguel Angel Britos; Roberto Colombo; Antonio Rosati; Blerim Dzemaili; Lorenzo Insigne; Marco Donadel; Nicolao Dumitru; Edinson Cavan; Federico Fernandez.

Udinese (Title odds: 66/1)

Ins: Daniele Padelli; Roberto Pereyra; Gabriel Torje; Neuton; Zeljko Brkic; Abdoul Sissoko; IThierry Doubai; Barreto; Diego Fabbrin; Danilo..

Lazio (Title odds: 80/1)

Ins: Djibril Cisse; Marius Stankevicius; Federico Marchetti; Lorik Cana; Abdoulay Konko ; Antony Iannarilli; Senad Lulic; Miroslav Klose.

Fiorentina (Title odds: 80/1)

Ins: Gustavo; Santiago Silva; Kelechi Francis Ibekwe; Mattia Cassani; Houssine Kharja; Andrea Lazzari; Gianni Munari; Samuel Di Carmine; Romulo; Edoardo Pazzagli; Lorenzo Tafi; Matija Nastasic; Niccolo Manfredini; Paolo Rozzio; Samuele Bettoni.

Genoa (Title odds: 200/1)

Ins: Andrea Caracciolo; Cesare Bovo; Sebastien Frey; Nicola Pasini; Cristiano Lupatelli; Mattia Bottani; Francesco Bega; Kevin Constant; Mattia Destro; Danilo Russo; Fernando Forestieri; Riccardo Meggiorini; Alexander Merkel; Cristobal Jorquera; Kevin Vinetot; Lucas Pratto; Andreas Granqvist; Giacomo Beretta; Sebastian Ribas; Felipe Seymour; Valter Birsa; Ze Eduardo.

Palermo (Title odds: 250/1)

Ins: Edgar Alvarez; Edgar Barreto; Francesco Della Rocca; Franco Vazquez; Alexandros Tzorvas; Matias Aguirregaray; Matias Silvestre; Ignacio Lores; Andrea Mantovani; Mauro Cetto; Luca Di Matteo; Eros Pisano; Adam Simon; Carlos Labrin; Eran Zahavi.

Players To Call Off Serie A Strike

Sources within the AIC claim the collective bargaining contract will be signed on Monday, calling off the players’ strike.

The opening weekend of the Serie A season was postponed when the Players’ Association (AIC) called a strike in protest at the union of clubs (Lega) refusing to sign the collective bargaining contract.

The AIC released a statement late on Friday confirming there was “moderate optimism” around the proposed interim agreement.

“The contract will be signed either late morning or early afternoon on Monday September 5. The only things missing are small technical details,” an AIC source told the Ansa news agency.

“We only need to review a few things tied to the regulations and our lawyers are working on finalizing everything.”

This means the Serie A season will finally kick off next weekend. The first game will be Milan-Lazio on Friday evening at 19.45 UK time.

The Saturday night match is Cesena-Napoli, while Juventus-Parma opens Sunday at 11.30.

Palermo-Inter conclude Week 2 at 19.45 on Sunday September 11.

Marotta Promises More Signings

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta says the club will sign "at least two new players" before the close of the transfer window.

After finishing seventh in Serie A last season, Juventus have had a busy summer in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Mirko Vucinic, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, but Marotta has revealed their business is far from finished.

"At least two new players will arrive before the transfer window closes, but we could even sign a third," he said.

Cesena forward Emanuele Giaccherini is said to be a target and Marotta, speaking at a Lega Calcio meeting, said: "I'm not here today to specifically talk to Cesena, but there is always an opportunity to discuss things with colleagues."

On Sevilla winger Diego Perotti, he said: "He is not the only opportunity that we are evaluating. We know that we have a few holes to plug."