Following identical emphatic victories over both Milan clubs, Napoli have made their intentions this season pretty clear: They are primed and ready to win this season's Scudetto for the first time since Diego Maradonna moved on from Napoli and no one will deter them from this mission.
It's clear then, what Juventus and Milan need to do in this evening's Serie A Match of the week LIVE on Joy Sports and Adom TV only on Multi-TV. Both sides must come out gun's blazing in search of a win, since a draw or defeat will only help Napoli's cause. Napoli lead the Serie A log on 10 points followed by Juventus in second on 8 points. AC Milan, rather disconcertingly lie in 12th position with 5 points after 4 rounds of battle.
The first real test of Juventus’ Scudetto credentials comes when Andrea Pirlo’s former Milan teammates come to Turin on Sunday night.Andrea Pirlo will most likely play alongside Claudio Marchisio in the heart of Juve's midfield in what will be first game against his former club since leaving the San Siro outfit this summer.
Milan had a very poor start to the defence of their title, but the slender victory over Cesena last week and Wednesday’s Champions League win against Viktoria Plzen boosted morale. Above all, the injury crisis is beginning to ease and that could make a huge difference for Massimiliano Allegri.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned from a two-week lay-off to run the show against Viktoria, earning and converting a penalty before he set up Antonio Cassano’s strike. The Swede has been sorely missed, especially with Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Robinho all out of action too. Only Boateng is expected to make a recovery for Turin, as Massimo Ambrosini, Gennaro Gattuso, Philippe Mexes, Mathieu Flamini and teenage hitman Kingsley Boateng crowd into the treatment room. Luca Antonini and Daniele Bonera are fit again, while Alberto Aquilani will be hoping to start against the club he played for last season.
And Ibrahimovic warned his former club Juve his best is yet to come.
"I feel much better but I'm not yet 100%,'' Ibrahimovic said. "But I hope I will be come Sunday.''
Ibrahimovic will again partner Cassano up front.
Juventus have only problems of abundance, as Vincenzo Iaquinta is the only fitness concern. Mirko Vucinic returns from suspension after his foolish red card helped Bologna snatch a 1-1 draw in Turin. His goals may well be needed, as the Bianconeri followed that performance with another unconvincing stalemate away to Catania.
The trip to Sicily saw Eljero Elia make his Serie A debut and he clearly has work to do before he can be up to speed with his new teammates. It’s likely he’ll go back to the bench for this Scudetto showdown, as Milos Krasic, Vucinic, Alessandro Matri and Simone Pepe should make up the attacking quartet, though Arturo Vidal, Emanuele Giaccherini and especially veteran Alessandro Del Piero are also options.
Milan have won in their last two trips to Turin, scoring four goals and keeping clean sheets. Their most recent defeat was 4-2 in December 2008, while the fixture hasn't ended in a share of the spoils since a goalless encounter in March 2006.
Juventus vs. AC Milan kicks-off LIVE at 6:45pm on both Joy Sports and Adom-TV on Multi-TV. Pre-match discussions begin at 6:15pm on both channels.
For a review of all LIVE football action from all of Europe's big leagues as well as comprehensive coverage of African football, watch the Football Show on Joy Sports every Monday and Friday at 7pm.
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