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Serie A: Juve look to bounce back, D-Day in Milan

Champions host Chievo after losing their opening two fixtures

Afp September 12, 2015

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala during the Serie A match against Roma on August 30, 2015 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. PHOTO: AFP

MILAN: Champions Juventus host surprise Serie A leaders Chievo on Saturday hoping to kick-start their season while Mario Balotelli is eyeing his first start for AC Milan when they face Inter in the Milan derby.

Juventus’ start to the fledgling season has been anything but positive, with Massimiliano Allegri’s men slipping to two consecutive defeats.

Only months after Juventus capped a rare league and cup double-winning season, the champions are stuttering as they adapt to life without Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez.

But the Juventus coach remains upbeat about his side being the best in the country. “There won’t be any talk of a transition season,” said Allegri.

A win against the Flying Donkeys, who are yet to beat Juventus in the league, is considered a pre-requisite ahead of Tuesday’s visit to Manchester City for their first Champions League group game of the season.

Milan bragging rights up for grabs

It is early days yet but after Roma’s win over Juve, Inter host Milan on Sunday night hoping to add lustre to their positive start to the season by beating their city rivals for the first time in three outings.

Inter striker Stevan Jovetic, on loan from Manchester City, has hit four goals in two games for the Nerazzurri and will be looking to fire his side to a derby win.

Meanwhile, Liverpool misfit Balotelli rejoined Milan and will be hoping to one up Jovetic; who was incidentally signed by City as the Italian’s replacement.

He has yet to feature in a league game under Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, but fellow striker Luiz Adriano believes Balotelli’s arrival has given the Rossoneri a boost. “Mario’s a great player and has come here to give us an important boost. The squad needs everybody and he will help us a lot,” said the Brazilian.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2015.

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