BSP-03 Juventus move to next target in Serie A as AC Milan ‘lick wounds’

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Juventus move to next target in Serie A as AC Milan ‘lick wounds’

MILAN, Jan 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso conceded
his side will have to lick their wounds and come out fighting after losing
the Italian Super Cup trophy to an all-conquering Juventus who turn their
focus back to their next target — an eighth consecutive Serie A title —
after the three-week winter break in Italy.

Unbeaten Juventus host bottom club Chievo in Turin on Monday, a team they
opened their season against with a 3-2 win in Verona, looking to stretch
their lead to 12 points after 20 games.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side currently have a nine-point advantage on
second-placed Napoli who face a tricky test against Lazio on Sunday.

“We’ve started 2019 on the right foot. Forward to the next target,” warned
Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the only goal in Jeddah against Milan in
midweek to bring his tally to 16 in all competitions.

It was Allegri’s tenth trophy as Juventus boss and, after losing two of the
last three Super Cup trophies, a boost in his side’s assault on all fronts
including the Champions League.

AC Milan — in fifth, one point behind Lazio — are looking for a morale-
boosting return to the Champions League places against a Genoa side who have
just one win in their last 12 league games.

“We lick our wounds,” said Gattuso, who will watch the match from the
stands after receiving a one-match touchline ban for angrily protesting a
refereeing decision in Jeddah.

It was a punishing game in the heat for AC Milan who will also be without
suspended trio Franck Kessie, Alessio Romagnoli and Davide Calabria in Genoa.

Kessie was shown a straight red card while Calabria was booked for a foul
and captain Romagnoli also given a yellow card for dissent.

Spanish midfielder Suso however returns from suspension after missing the
Super Cup.

“We have to remain calm,” said Gattuso. “The important thing is recouping
our energy.” – No fans, no problem for Inter –

Inter Milan host Sassuolo behind closed doors in their San Siro stadium as
punishment for racist chanting by their fans towards Napoli defender Kalidou
Koulibaly before the winter break.

The club — comfortably in third place seven points ahead of fourth-placed
Lazio — have been allowed to invite local schoolchildren to the match
against Sassuolo.

But Luciano Spalletti’s side proved that an empty stadium was no obstacle
as they cruised into the Coppa Italia quarter-finals with a 6-2 win over
second-tier Benevento last week.

Koulibaly, meanwhile, remains suspended for Napoli’s game against Lazio at
the San Paolo Stadium.

The Senegalese defender will serve the second of a two-match ban for his
sending off against Inter, for sarcastically applauding the referee.

Resurgent Roma, in sixth, continue their push for Champions League football
at home against Torino.

“Despite some difficulties we are still there,” said Roma midfielder
Lorenzo Pellegrini.

“It would be absurd for Roma not to get into the top four of the Italian
championship.”

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday

AS Roma v Torino (1400GMT), Udinese v Parma (1700), Inter Milan v Sassuolo
(1930)

Sunday

Frosinone v Atalanta (1130), Fiorentina v Sampdoria, SPAL v Bologna,
Cagliari v Empoli, Napoli v Lazio (1930)

Monday

Genoa v AC Milan (1400), Juventus v Chievo (1930)

BSS/AFP/MRI/0818 HRS