Lazio journey to Serie A leaders Juventus on Monday determined to recapture the shape which noticed the Romans beat the Turin giants twice earlier this season and maintain their slim hopes of a primary Scudetto in twenty years alive. Only one level separated Juventus from Lazio when Serie A returned on June 20 following the three-month coronavirus lockdown. However Simone Inzaghi’s facet have misplaced 4 of seven video games since then and are coming off a four-match winless run which leaves them eight factors adrift in fourth.
A win would pull Lazio inside 5 factors of Juventus, however a defeat in Turin would see them fall 11 factors off the tempo with 4 video games to play.
Maurizio Sarri’s Juve stay heading in the right direction to carry a ninth straight league title regardless of a current stutter, sitting six factors forward of second-placed Inter Milan.
Atalanta are third, an additional level behind, with Lazio within the remaining Champions League spot, 12 factors forward of fifth-placed Roma.
Lazio beat Juventus 3-1 twice in December — within the reverse Serie A fixture in Rome and the Italian Tremendous Cup remaining.
“Earlier than the lockdown we had misplaced two video games in 10 months, with out the pandemic issues would have gone otherwise,” stated Inzaghi.
“Sadly we paid with a number of accidents. Now let’s take into consideration recovering vitality and gamers.
“We’re near a return to the Champions League after 13 years and after 20 years have been within the operating for the championship.”
Perplexed Sarri
Juventus, nevertheless, have additionally been displaying indicators of fatigue and are winless in three video games, having conceded 11 objectives of their final 5 matches.
Sarri was perplexed by his facet’s efficiency in an exhilarating Three-Three draw with Sassuolo in midweek.
“There are ups and downs, we now have superb moments and others of unexplicable passiveness,” stated the previous Napoli and Chelsea supervisor.
“We want 9 extra factors (to win the title), with out doing different calculations.”
Atalanta go to Verona on Saturday seeking to lower the hole on Juventus to 4 factors as they aim a primary Scudetto within the membership’s 112-year historical past.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet, who’re by way of to the Champions League quarter-finals of their debut season, have proven unbelievable goal-scoring kind with 19 in seven league video games for a complete of 93 this season.
Inter are additionally nonetheless effectively within the hunt however face a tough journey to Roma, who’re on a three-game profitable streak.
Napoli, in sixth, host Udinese with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s AC Milan, equal on factors with the southerners, taking part in at dwelling in opposition to Bologna.
In-form Sassuolo have scored 21 objectives since Serie A returned, and are actually six factors behind Milan in eighth place earlier than their journey to Cagliari.
One to observe: Ciro Motionless (Lazio)
Cristiano Ronaldo and Ciro Motionless will renew their duel to be Serie A top-scorer this season.
Lazio ahead Motionless was having a shocking season previous to the shutdown and leads the Serie A scorers’ chart with 29 objectives.
However 30-year-old Motionless has drawn a clean in three consecutive video games for the primary time this season, permitting Ronaldo to chop the hole to only one aim.
Ronaldo failed to attain final day trip in opposition to Sassuolo for the primary time since March, having netted seven objectives in six league video games for the reason that restart.
The 35-year-old Portuguese is seeking to turn out to be the primary participant to complete high scorer in three of the highest 5 European leagues after doing so England and Spain.
Key statistics
93 – Atalanta’s objectives this season
eight – Juve’s factors lead over Lazio
6 – Lazio’s objectives of their final two video games in opposition to Juventus
Fixtures (all occasions GMT)
Saturday
Verona v Atalanta (1515), Cagliari v Sassuolo (17:30), AC Milan v Bologna (19:45)
Sunday
Parma v Sampdoria (15:15), Brescia v SPAL, Fiorentina v Torino, Genoa v Lecce, Napoli v Udinese (17:30), Roma v Inter Milan (19:45)
Promoted
Monday
Juventus v Lazio (19:45)
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