Bologna 1-1 Inter Seria A Italy -24hfootball.info

Inter had fortune on their side for the equaliser, which came six minutes into the second half. Jonathan's strike from inside the area was heading across goal before a touch off Frederik Sorensen diverted it past Gianluca Curci and into the net.

The home side made two changes from their 2-1 defeat against Atalanta, with Cesare Natali and Diego Perez named among the starting XI, with Inter-owned duo Diego Laxalt and Jose Crespo missing out.

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri was forced into two defensive alterations due to Andrea Ranocchia's suspension and Walter Samuel's thigh injury.

Hugo Campagnaro and Juan Jesus were the men chosen to replace them, with Mazzarri also without Cristian Chivu (foot), Mauro Icardi (hernia) and Diego Milito (thigh) due to injuries.

After a low-key start, the hosts went ahead against the run of play after 12 minutes following a succession of Inter corners.

Jonathan Cristaldo carried the ball down the right wing before calmly playing in Kone, who beat the helpless Handanovic with a neat finish from inside the penalty area.

Bologna had conceded an average of two goals a game in their opening 12 matches and Rodrigo Palacio almost capitalised on their defensive frailties two minutes later when he forced Curci into a smart save with his knees.

Palacio should have done better with his header from Juan's cross after 35 minutes as Inter got into their stride and the visitors wasted a golden opportunity to level two minutes before the break.

Both Saphir Taider and Alvaro Pereira failed to turn the ball home from tight angles after Curci failed to deal with Jonathan's teasing delivery.

Bologna were on the back foot and Fredy Guarin hit the crossbar with a free-kick with the final kick of the half.

It came as no surprise when Inter drew level six minutes into the second half courtesy of a Jonathanstrike that required a decisive deflection off Sorensen's boot to beat Curci.

It was Inter's 30th league goal the season and Guarin looked set to make that 31 but he could only shoot over from inside the area after 70 minutes.

Inter piled on the pressure as they went in search of a winner and Juan struck the crossbar with a left-foot strike in stoppage time, but Bologna secured a point which leaves them a point above the relegation zone.

Livorno 0-2 Juventus

A goal each from Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez secured a comfortable 2-0 win for Juventus against Livorno on Sunday.

The home side battled bravely for an hour until the Spanish striker volleyed home from Paul Pogba's cross, before teeing up Tevez to drill home a second with fifteen minutes left to play.

The result sends defending champions Juventus to the summit for the time being, with unbeaten Roma not playing until Monday.

Antonio Conte's men have now kept five consecutive clean sheets in the league and are two points ahead of Rudi Garcia's charges.

Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, who had to gain Fifa clearance to play after pulling out of both of his country's recent friendlies, stepped into a makeshift Juventus defence, with Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Barzagli and striker Sebastian Giovinco all out injured, while Leonardo Bonucci and Angelo Ogbonna were suspended.

Livorno made four changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Inter last time out, with Andrea Coda, Leandro Rinaudo, Leandro Greco and Innocent Emeghara coming in for Giuseppe Gemiti, Nahuel Valentini, Alfred Duncan and the suspended Paulinho.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes, Llorente had the visitors' first clear-cut opportunity, heading over the crossbar from a Simone Padoin cross.

Emeghara pulled the trigger from the edge of the penalty area at the other end five minutes later, but his effort was deflected high and wide for a corner.

Paul Pogba forced Livorno goalkeeper Francesco Bardi to tip over his crossbar on the half-hour mark with a powerful drive from 20 yards, but Juve were struggling to find their flow against a disciplined home defence.

And the hosts almost broke the deadlock three minutes later, but Emeghara's chipped attempt drifted wide of the target amid suspicions of offside.

Kwadwo Asamoah fancied his chances from distance, but the Ghanaian saw his effort pushed around the post by Bardi eight minutes before the interval.

Greco went into the referee's book after 53 minutes for simulation in the penalty area after a collision with Vidal, but replays suggested it was a harsh decision.

Juve went ahead in the 63rd minute as Llorente met a Pogba cross from the right to send a right-footed volley into the top right-hand corner of the net from the centre of the penalty area.

Tevez drilled just wide of the left-hand post as the visitors went in search of a second, but Livorno were holding firm as they clung onto the belief that they could still take something from the encounter.

However, Tevez killed off any lingering hopes that remained for the hosts as he fired home a low effort from 16 yards after good work in the area by Llorente, before Pogba struck the post in the dying minutes as Juve finished strongly.

I want to make history at Napoli

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is aiming to “make history” with his new club following his good form since his big-money move from Real Madrid in July.

The Argentine striker was signed for a fee of €37 million to replace Paris Saint-Germain-bound Edinson Cavani and has hit the ground running at San Paolo, with eight goals in his first 14 games for the club.

And with Napoli only four points off Serie A leaders Roma in third and in contention to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League, Higuain believes that the time has come to get the Partenopeiback to the top of the football landscape.

“I’m here to win and make history for the club,” he said at a press conference. “We are not yet top, but I’m sure that we will get there soon. I’ve come to Naples for the project.”

The 25-year-old also took time to praise coach Rafa Benitez and the Napoli fans, who he felt gave him the motivation to challenge for honours.

“The coach gives me confidence and I find it good to play on this team,” he continued.

“It’s [also] great to play for the fans, who live football. I’m very happy, and I have to think about doing as well as I did before to make our fans happy.”

Napoli host Parma on Saturday in the league, before traveling to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, where a point could see them qualify for the round of 16.

While Higuain understands that both games are crucial to the club’s push for silverware, he maintains his belief that he should take each fixture one game at a time.

“We think about Parma first, where we have to win to stay [in contention] for first place, then we will focus on the challenge of Dortmund, which is very important.

"It is true that the championship is long, but we need to win so that we go to Dortmund with hope.”

The striker concluded by reassuring fans about his physical condition, despite suspicions of injury and fatigue after exertions in the United States midweek on international duty with Argentina.

“We have made a long journey for many hours and are a little tired, we even played in a no-good pitch [versus Ecuador]. We are, however, always available to the coach. My foot problems are also better now, it seems okay.”

Platini is a jealous man

Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has launched a withering attacking on Michel Platini, labelling the Uefa president "a jealous man".

Earlier this year, the Brazilian was banned until June 2014 for allegedly pushing a match official after a Ligue 1 fixture against Valenciennes in May.

Though the suspension was subsequently quashed by Paris’ Administrative Court, Leonardo, who resigned over the affair, remains bitter about Platini's involvement in his case.

"I did not step down voluntarily. It was the result of an exaggerated reaction by the league and the federation. Politics played a big role," the ex-Selecao star told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I don't like certain things that have been said and I did not like how Platini behaved toward me. He went around saying things about me that are unacceptable.

"Platini is a politician and a jealous man."

Leonardo stepped down from his position at PSG during the summer and has since been out of work. He was recently linked with a return to Inter, but has yet to receive a formal offer from the Nerazzurri.

Inter academy can be the best in the world (24hfootball.info)

Inter president Erick Thohir feels the Nerazzurri youth academy is one of the best in Europe, but has vowed to turn it into one of the finest in the world.

The Giuseppe Meazza side won the inaugural edition of the prestigious NextGen Series in 2011-12, yet very few players of that successful squad - such as Samuele Longo and Lorenzo Crisetig - have forged their way into Walter Mazzarri's first-team plans.

However, Thohir is adamant that Inter's youth set-up is up there with the very best in Italy and Europe and feels it will be key to restoring the club to the summit of Serie A.

"Inter have one of the best academies in Italy, even in Europe. I want it to be one of the best in the world," Thohir told Sky Italia.

"I don't agree that you can't win anything with young players. At the end of the day 11 players go out on the pitch. 

"We can have superstars but we can't have all superstars. With a combination of superstars and young players you can always have a good team. 

"I think all successful teams start with talented young players, it's always a combination."

The Nerazzurri sit fourth in the league table, with 25 points from 12 games, ahead of the weekend trip to Bologna.

I'm getting better with every game

Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi has insisted he is getting better with every game after scoring twice to give his team a 2-1 win over Sampdoria on Sunday.

Strikes from the Italy international in the 11th and 17th minute saw the Viola race into a two-goal lead and, though Manolo Gabbadiani pulled one back late on, the hosts held on to gain all three points.

Rossi had been out of action for over a year with a knee injury but is making his mark in Serie A this season after signing for Vincenzo Montella's side in January last season from Villarreal.

And after being named in Cesare Prandelli's Azzurri squad to face Germany and Nigeria, he stressed that his form and fitness are continuing to improve.

"I feel good, today I played 90 minutes," the 26-year-old told Mediaset Premium. "I can give more, but in every game I always feel better.

"Earlier this season we gave away some points, both against Parma and Napoli [but not today].

"I hope to be a fundamental part of the Italy team that will participate in the World Cup. Every game I try to do my best to get results. This [Italy call-up] is one more incentive which gives me satisfaction."

Fiorentina sit fifth in Serie A - eight points behind league leaders Roma - and trail Inter by one point.

Seria A Chievo 0-0 AC Milan

AC Milan and Chievo both had men sent off in a bore 0-0 draw between the sides on Sunday.

Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo was sent off seven minutes from time before Sergio Pellisier saw red for the visitors in injury-time.

Robinho struck a post and Alessandro Matri went close for Milan in the second half but the stalemate means Massimiliano Allegri's side are now without a win in six games in all competitions.

The hosts were unchanged from last week's draw at Bologna, while Allegri made just one alteration from the side that lost in Barcelona in midweek as Alessandro Matri returned to the front line in place of Robinho.

After a quiet opening, Chievo were first to threaten in the 17th minute as Marcelo Estigarribia stung the palms of Christian Abbiati from 25 yards, before Bostjan Cesar fired wide when well placed following the resulting corner.

Milan's response was immediate, though, as home keeper Christian Puggioni had to move low to his left to smother Sulley Muntari's effort from distance after a surging run from the Ghanaian.

With chances at a premium in a scrappy first half, Andrea Poli wasted a good opportunity to break the deadlock for Milan three minutes before the break when he dragged his shot wide after being found by Matri inside the area.

Six minutes after the restart, the hosts spurned a golden opportunity to open the scoring.

Cyril Thereau's shot was parried by Abbiati and the rebound ran perfectly for Rigoni, who, from a slight angle, hit the side netting when presented with an open goal six yards out.

Puggioni was called into serious action for the first time on the hour mark. The goalkeeper beat away Urby Emanuelson's swerving long-range effort before diving full length to his left to keep out Philippe Mexes' volley from 20 yards.

The hosts had a goal disallowed for offside with 16 minutes remaining when Thereau poked the ball beyond Abbiati but the linesman had raised his flag, with replays suggesting he may have just been level with the last defender.

Once again Milan's response was swift, Poli firing wide from the edge of the area, before Robinho missed Milan's best chance of the game, as he struck the base of the post from 12 yards after being played in by Muntari.

Three minutes later Montolivo was dismissed for a second bookable offence after a challenge from behind on Perparim Hetemaj.

Despite their temporary numerical advantage, Matri fired another good chance wide a minute later before Pellissier saw red as Milan - and Allegri's - troubled season continued.

Napoli sign Reveillere

Napoli have confirmed the signing of defender Anthony Reveillere on a free transfer.

The Partenopei posted a photo of the former Olympique Lyonnais right-back alongside coach Rafa Benitez on their official website on Friday.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis talked up the wealth of experience and numerous trophies the 33-year-old accumulated during his 10 years at Lyon before parting company with the Ligue 1 club this summer.

"Welcome Anto," the Partenopei supremo wrote on Twitter. "With five championships, seven cups, 77 games in the Champions League and 595 in his career, he can be a great help to us."

Reveillere - who has 20 caps for France, the most recent of which came against Finland in 2012 - is unlikely to feature in Sunday's Serie A clash with Juventus but he will give Benitez an extra defensive option.

Napoli currently sit second in Serie A, behind Roma and level on points with reigning champions Juve.

Juventus do not want rid of me

Fernando Llorente has shot down suggestions that Juventus have told him he will be sold on the back of a difficult start to his Serie A career.

The striker has been linked with a move away from Turin despite having only joined the Bianconeri from Athletic Bilbao on a free transfer in the summer, with Arsenal the latest club to be linked with the Spain international.

Despite initially failing to break into the first team, Llorente has featured on a more regular basis in the past month, salvaging a point for Juve in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, and he dismissed claims that he could soon be on the move again.

"I’ve not been asked to leave,” the 28-year-old forward told Radiogaceta de los Deportes. "What is being written in the papers is false. I have the complete faith of everyone at Juventus.

"It was not easy for me to adapt to the movements and plays of the team, but I’m slowly managing to do what the boss [Antonio Conte] wants.

"Once I have completely settled, then everything will go well."

The Scudetto holders trail Serie A leaders Roma by three points heading into Sunday's clash with Napoli and Llorente is aware of the threat posed by the high-flying Partenopei.

"It will be a game against a high-level opponent," the Spaniard added. "There will be a lot at stake in this encounter."

Llorente has scored once in eight appearances in Serie A this season, though he has a better record in Europe, with two goals in three Champions League fixtures.

Lazio 2-1 Apollon Limassol

The striker scored twice in the opening 37 minutes before Fotis Papoulis pulled a goal back for the Cypriot outfit.

Lazio, who were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw in Limassol in the previous clash, started the stronger in Rome and came close through Floccari and Balde Keita in the opening exchanges. 

It was the attacking duo who combined to break the deadlock on 14 minutes, as Keita jinxed his was through a series of challenges before squaring for Floccari to finish from close range.

Lazio continued to pile on the pressure and Floccari had his second from a Keita cross shortly before the break, as the Italian headed home the 18-year-old's corner for his fourth in this season's competition. 

However, the visitors stunned Stadio Olimpico just two minutes later, as Papoulis struck a fierce effort from the edge of the area past Etrit Berisha.

Lazio controlled the majority of the second half without being able to kind a killer third goal, and Papoulis almost made them pay in the final 20 minutes as he latched on to a hopeful long ball, but Berisha smartly denied him.

Apollon continued to threaten in the closing stages but Lazio held on for a vital three points, moving them four clear of the Cypriots in Group J with just two games to play.

Juventus 2 - 2 Real Madrid

Juventus and Real Madrid have played equal ( 2-2 ) to match valid for the fourth lap the group stage of the Champions League . Although there was no winner , the show did not fail in the face of two giants of European football .
T-shirts black and white players were dominant in every part of the field in the first faction to control the flow and pace of the game .

Bianconeri created numerous occasions in the first half , but did not show their effective completion . In some cases protection and Iker Casillas guest proved decisive .

However , the involvement of local players has paid off with the wrong intervention to the detriment of Pogbas Varanese who was punished with penalties . Arturo Vidal had to lead the Lady ( 42 ' ) .

As for guests , offensive stage was silent during the first faction , but there were strikes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale .

The locals went terribly wrong the second half with an error of Caceres , who Benzemas enabled him to grab the ball and follow the one who does not forgive - Cristiano Ronaldo ( 52 ' ) .

A few minutes later Xabi Alonso stadium shook with a powerful shot that crashed into the pole .

The reversal came from Gareth Bale . After a counterattack Los Blancos , Welshman did well to score the lead ( 60 ' ) .

However , the Bianconeri returned quickly to level the score through Llorentes Fernando , who scored thanks to Martin Caceres cross ( 65 ' ) .

In the minutes following the pace of the game dropped . Bianconeri tried to snatch full points , while waiting to punish kings . However , no other goals were scored .

After four lap , Real Madrid counts 10 points while battling for second place Galatasaray , Copenhagen ( with four points) and Juventus has three points at the end of the group .

Inter were perfect

Rodrigo Palacio feels Inter put in the perfect performance in Sunday's 3-1 victory over Udinese.

Goals from Palacio and Andrea Ranocchia gifted the Nerazzurri a two-goal lead at half-time before Ricky Alvarez made it three in the closing stages of the game and the striker was delighted with his side's display.

"We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we played a great match. It was a perfect performance that allowed us to claim the win," Palacio told Inter Channel.

"Winning was very important. It was also crucial because of the fact that all the teams ahead of us in the standings had also won."

The attacker then went on to praise Esteban Cambiasso and stressed that the Argentine is a key figure for Inter.

"Cuchu's so important to this team. He’s intelligent and always knows what to do. 

"He has a lot of experience and always gives his all so that Inter can win."

Inter currently sit fourth in Serie A with 22 points from 11 games.

Torino 1-1 Roma

Roma's run of 10 straight wins at the start of the season came to an end as they drew 1-1 away to Torino.

Rudi Garcia's men were chasing Tottenham's European record of 11 victories from the beggining of the campaign, set in 1960-61, at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino and things were going to plan when Kevin Strootman gave them a half-time lead.

However, Alessio Cerci struck for the hosts after the break to ensure that his side left with a well deserved point.

The beginning of the match was a drab affair, but as time wore on Roma came closer and closer to breaking the deadlock, with set pieces proving a particularly big threat.

Alessandro Florenzi and Marco Boriello, the former with an ambitious volley, the latter with a header, both hit the top of the net following corners before the breakthrough arrived.

After Torino failed to clear their lines, the ball was worked to Miralem Pjanic, who picked outStrootman brilliantly, and the Dutch midfielder tucked the ball home emphatically.

However, rather than kicking on and taking the game by the horns, Roma eased off following the opener, allowing the hosts more and more of the ball.

Cerci had already sent a free kick in a decent position over the bar when he forced a great save from Morgan De Sanctis in the Roma goal with a bending shot from distance.

Torino pressed, but were ultimately unable to get back on level terms before the break.

Proceedings after half-time we much the same as the end of the first half and De Sanctis was once again called into action to soon enough to deny Riccardo Meggiorini, who met a fantastic high ball into the box with a volley that was beaten away by the veteran keeper.

However, it was not long before Giampiero Ventura's men got their deserved equaliser. Once again, Meggiorini found space on the left wing and squared it to Cerci, who duly steered it into the back of the net.

The equaliser spurred Roma into life and the Giallorossi soon went in search of another goal, with Nicolas Burdisso heading narrowly over from a header and Maicon having a tame appeal for a penalty turned down.

However, in the end, they could not craft a true chance and their winning start to the season came to an abrupt end.

Udinese 0-3 Inter

Inter's fine start to the Serie A season continued at the expense of Udinese, who were defeated 3-0 at Stadio Friuli on Sunday afternoon.

First-half goals from Rodrigo Palacio and Andrea Ranocchia gave Walter Mazzarri's men a comfortable advantage they would not relinquish. 

Fredy Guarin was denied by the woodwork as Inter went in search of a third and it duly arrived in the 91st minute, with Ricky Alvarez tapping home to consign Udinese to their third defeat in four matches.

Both sides made two changes from their midweek fixtures. Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Silvan Widmer returned for Udinese, while Ranocchia and Saphir Taider came back in to the starting XI for Inter.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes, Mazzarri's men twice went close to breaking the deadlock in the space of 60 seconds.

First, Cambiasso won the ball 30 yards from goal before unleashing a fierce drive that was tipped over the crossbar by Zeljko Brkic, then Jonathan played a clever ball in to Yuto Nagatomo, who snatched at his effort from six yards and sent the ball wide.

Inter did not have to wait long to take the lead, however, as Palacio rose highest to nod home Taider's right-wing free-kick from seven yards in the 25th minute.

The advantage was doubled four minutes later, Ranocchia volleying home Esteban Cambiasso's left-wing corner into an empty net after Brkic had misjudged the flight of the ball as he attempted to come and collect.

Udinese should have been back in the game 10 minutes before the break, Luis Muriel capitalising on a terrible mistake by Walter Samuel before dragging his angled effort horribly wide, the ball running out of play for a throw-in on the far side.

The home side began the second half strongly, former Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic produced a spectacular save to deny Antonio Di Natale's dipping effort two minutes after the restart before Maurizio Domizzi sent an overhead kick narrowly wide 10 minutes later after Inter struggled to clear a ball into the box.

Despite Udinese's greater threat in the second half, it was the visitors who went closest to grabbing the next goal in the 61st minute, Guarin powering past Domizzi in the box before seeing his low effort cannon off the base of Brkic's right-hand post and away to safety.

Inter did indeed claim a third goal in stoppage time, Palacio squaring the ball for Alvarez to slot home into an empty net as the visitors closed out a win that took them to within six points of Juventus in the final Champions League qualification berth. 

Parma 0-1 Juventus

Paul Pogba scored the only goal of the game as Juventus beat Parma 1-0 on Saturday evening.

The midfielder's strike 13 minutes from time helped to heal the wounds caused by Juve's capitulation at Fiorentina, where they surrendered a two-goal half-time lead on their way to a 4-2 defeat.

Pogba tucked home the rebound from eight yards on 77 minutes after Fabio Quagliarella's long-range effort came back off the crossbar, to secure a third league win on the bounce for the visitors.

With both sides having played on Wednesday, there were six changes in each team as the respective coaches looked to keep their squads fresh, with Andrea Pirlo and Fernando Llorente among those that Juventus coach Antonio Conte opted to rest.

The first chance of note came in the 11th minute, Massimo Gobbi dragging his angled effort wide of the post following patient approach play by the hosts.

Juventus threatened for the first time four minutes later, as Carlos Tevez linked up with strike partner Sebastian Giovinco inside the area before firing his effort straight at Antonio Mirante.

Arturo Vidal, who scored the Bianconeri's first in their 4-0 win over Catania on Wednesday, was next to test Mirante in the 26th minute when his cleanly hit strike from 35 yards was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.

Seven minutes later Vidal was at it again, this time dragging a 25-yard shot narrowly wide after being set up by Tevez.

After a quiet first half, the home side went close to breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Amauri's clever back heel rolled wide of the left hand post after Jonathan Biabiany had outwitted Giorgio Chiellini down the right-hand side and pulled the ball across the six-yard box.

With clear opportunities at a premium, Tevez wasted a glorious chance to put his side ahead with 20 minutes remaining. After being picked out by Simone Padoin's low cross in the middle of the box, the Argentine was denied by the legs of Mirante.

But the game's decisive moment was just around the corner as Pogba tucked home from close range after Quagliarella, on as a replacement for Tevez, struck the crossbar from 25 yards.

That goal was enough to secure all three points and leaves Juventus two points behind leaders Roma, who play Torino on Sunday.

AC Milan 0-2 Fiorentina

Juan Manuel Vargas' deflected 27th-minute free kick set the visitors on their way, the ball clipping the shin of Sulley Muntari in the wall before spinning beyond a wrong-footed Gabriel in the Rossonerigoal.

Milan pressed hard in the second half but Borja Valero tapped home from close range with 17 minutes left to put the result beyond doubt as Fiorentina racked up their third successive win over their hosts.

Allegri’s side have now lost five of their opening 11 league matches and seemingly already face an uphill battle to climb towards the Champions League places.

They made just one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Lazio in midweek, as Kevin Constant replaced Mattia De Sciglio, while Fiorentina made five alterations. The suspended Juan Cuadrado was forced to miss out following his dismissal against Napoli on Wednesday, with Spanish winger Joaquin among those dropping to the bench.

It took quarter of an hour for either side to fashion any sort of chance, Cristian Zapata powering his header over the crossbar from six yards after running on to Kaka's corner at pace.

As the half wore on, the game began to open up and the hosts looked more threatening, Kaka feeding Muntari on the edge of the box after 21 minutes, but the Ghanaian's weak shot was comfortably saved by Neto low down to his left.

Six minutes later, the visitors took the lead with their first effort of note. Vargas' driven free-kick from 25 yards took a deflection off Muntari standing in the wall, with the ricochet diverting the ball's path just enough to defeat Gabriel - who had set off the other way - to nestle in the bottom left-hand corner.

There were few chances of note for the remainder of the half, and the opening 15 minutes of the second half proved similarly uneventful, notable only for a booking for Mario Balotelli when the Italy international shoved Neto to the floor as the goalkeeper shielded the ball out of play.

The incident was one of several altercations between Balotelli and Fiorentina's players, the striker cutting an increasingly frustrated figure as Milan failed to break down their opponents.

And, with time running out, Valero added to Milan's woes, the Spaniard slotting home from six yards after Gabriel had parried substitute Joaquin's right-wing cross into his path.

Ryder Matos went close to adding to the misery for the hosts, sending an effort a yard wide from the edge of the box with five minutes to go, but it mattered little as Fiorentina comfortably held on to pile the pressure on Milan and Allegri.

I could return this month

Inter captain Javier Zanetti has revealed that he could make his eagerly-awaited return before the end of the month.

The Nerazzurri legend has been out of action since suffering an Achilles injury in April and there were those that questioned whether the Argentine would ever play again.

However, Zanetti, who turned 40 in August, says that his comeback is now not too far away.

"I am recovering well," the versatile defender told Exclusivo24. "I am training with the group and I hope to return to play soon.

"I want to take it slowly, quietly, without any rush. Could I return in December or January? Before then, I think ..."

Zanetti also insisted that he has not yet given any thought to whether he will call time on his career next summer.

"I don't think about it at the training camp," the Buenos Aires native explained. "I'm just thinking about recovering from the injury and returning to play."

Zanetti, who was capped 145 times by his country, joined Inter from Banfield in 1995.

Match Preview Parma-Juventus

Juventus go back on the road to face Parma after responding well to their first Serie A defeat of the season in their previous away match.

Antonio Conte's men recorded convincing home wins over Genoa and Catania to undo some of the damage inflicted upon them by the 4-2 loss at Fiorentina, when they surrendered a two-goal half-time lead.That result saw the champions lose ground on Serie A leaders Roma but their overall form, which has seen them drop just five points from the 30 available, still has them in a strong position heading into Saturday's match.

And their response to the setback has been impressive, with six goals scored in the previous two games without reply - while only Roma and Inter can better Juve's haul of 22 strikes this term.

Parma's home record has bailed them out of trouble after Roberto Donadoni's charges kicked off the campaign with a four-match winless run.

A three-game winning streak at the Stadio Ennio Tardini - including a dramatic 3-2 triumph over AC Milan - has lifted them to the relative safety of mid-table, but they have not beaten this weekend's visitors in the last four meetings.

Parma have fared relatively well against Juve on home soil in their two most recent title-winning seasons, holding them to a goalless stalemate in the 2011-12 campaign and a 1-1 draw last term.

Juve's last win in Parma came in January 2010, when a Paolo Castellini own goal sealed a 2-1 victory for the visitors.

The hosts will look to Marco Parolo for inspiration, with the 28-year-old midfielder having scored five of their 16 league goals, including a double in the win over the Rossoneri.

Neither side has any fresh injury concerns, with Fabio Quagliarella and Mirko Vucinic unlikely to return from their thigh injuries for Juventus. Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal - with seven and eight goals apiece in all competitions this season - will look to carry the Bianconeri threat.