Juve play catch-up with Milan ahead of Barcelona showdown

Milan: Juventus warm-up for their Champions League clash against Barcelona with a Serie A home tie against Hellas Verona on Sunday, trying to close the gap on leaders AC Milan.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s AC Milan, who next host Roma, are flying high, the only team with maximum points after four games. Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus are coming off back-to-back league draws against promoted Crotone 1-1 last time out and 2-2 at Roma, with two red cards in as many games.

The nine-time reigning champions are fifth in the table, four points behind Stefano Pioli’s Milan.

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo remains a doubt having returned another positive test for coronvirus this week, after missing their 2-0 Champions League win at Dynamo Kiev.

The 35-year-old could still be available against Verona, and great rival Lionel Messi’s Barcelona on October 28, if he tests negative 24 hours before either game. Juventus are without captain Giorgio Chiellini who went off with a right thigh injury in Kiev, with the team still in isolation after US midfielder Weston McKennie’s positive test.

“There are difficulties, it is useless to deny it,” said Juve’s 20-year-old Swedish star Dejan Kulusevski.

“It’s not easy for anyone living in this situation. I haven’t been home for almost a month.”

Ibrahimovic has recovered from the virus, scoring both AC Milan’s goals in their 2-1 derby win over Inter.

They host eighth-placed Roma who are unbeaten since losing their season-opener to Verona.

Both sides got their Europa League campaigns off the mark with Milan beating Celtic 3-1 in Glasgow and Roma earning a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Swiss club Young Boys.

Agence France-Presse


Italian League fixtures
Saturday: Atalanta vs Sampdoria (1300), Genoa vs Inter Milan (1600), Lazio vs Bologna (1845)
Sunday: Cagliari vs Crotone (1130), Benevento vs Napoli (1400), Parma vs Spezia (1400), Fiorentina vs Udinese (1700), Juventus vs Hellas Verona (1945)

Monday: AC Milan vs AS Roma (1945)