MILAN: Juventus’ three-point lead over Napoli at the top of Serie A could come under threat this weekend when the champions make a potenially challenging trip to Chievo missing striker Mirko Vucinic and coach Antonio Conte.

Vucinic was one of several players cautioned for aggressive behaviour, and handed a one-match ban, towards the match referee after he refused to award an apparently valid penalty claim in the final minute of a 1-1 draw with Genoa.

In midweek, Juve were knocked out of the Italian Cup semi-final by Lazio, who sit third in Serie A, six points off the lead, following a late winner by Sergio Floccari at the Olympic Stadium.

Juve’s traditional rivals, Inter and AC Milan have been comparatively busier in the transfer market as they go plan for a final assault on the title and the European places. Inter, in fourth, at nine points adrift, who joined from Bundesliga side Stuttgart.

Andrea Stramaccioni’s men travel to lowly Siena having failed to win in their last three outings.

City rivals Milan may have had their worst start to a league campaign, but the capture of former Inter striker Mario Balotelli should paper over those cracks.