April 13 (Reuters) – Brief news ahead of Serie A matches
this weekend:
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has stunned Italian
football by hailing long-time bitter adversaries Juventus for
rising to the top of Serie A.
“I’ve been impressed by Juventus. They are doing very well,
they’re playing well and very efficiently. That’s a novelty,
it’s not something we expected this year but it’s happened. AC
Milan still have a very strong squad,” he told reporters.
Moratti also hinted on-loan forward Mauro Zarate could be
signed on a permanent deal from Lazio after impressing of late.
* Inter travel to Udinese on Saturday with both sides hoping
for a late push for third spot and a Champions League qualifying
berth.
Defenders Walter Samuel and Maicon and playmaker Wesley
Sneijder miss out for Inter.
* Leaders Juventus travel to bottom side Cesena on Sunday
hoping their fans behave themselves after another fine for
racist chanting in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Lazio.
“Juventus are at the cutting edge of attempts to eradicate
racism,” Juve sporting director Beppe Marotta said on the club’s
Twitter feed. “Our youth sector is a sort of multi-ethnic lab,
consisting of players from all continents. We ask the media to
help us in order to support our club in this fight.”
He also said now was not the time to discuss the possibility
of a new contract for evergreen forward Alessandro Del Piero,
who grabbed the winner against Lazio but whose deal runs out at
the end of the campaign.
* Second-placed AC Milan, a point behind Juve, host surprise
relegation candidates Genoa on Saturday with former Genoa
striker Stephan El Shaarawy itching to get in the starting
lineup.
His quest will be helped by Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince
Boateng and Antonio Cassano lacking full fitness. Right back
Ignazio Abate and midfielder Massimo Ambrosini are also likely
to join central defender Thiago Silva on the injured list.
* Siena president Massimo Mezzaroma, whose side are almost
safe and host Bologna on Sunday, has reacted angrily to reports
linking the club to match-fixing in Serie B last season.
“I am shocked by this news and deny any involvement by the
club and myself,” he said in a statement.
* Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri, whose third-placed club
visit second-bottom Novara on Sunday, attended a meeting with
the Italian Football Federation’s prosecutor on Friday as
investigations continue into potential match-fixing and illegal
betting in Serie A and B.
“I cannot talk but I am calm,” the Italy international told
reporters. His lawyers said he has no case to answer.
* Parma’s on-loan Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga of
Kenya has ruptured his cruciate ligament, media reports said.
The northern side are not yet safe from relegation and visit
Palermo on Sunday.
(Writing by Mark Meadows, editing by Dave Thompson)
