Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji will miss upcoming Champions League and Premier League matches against Real Madrid and Liverpool due to a muscular injury. This setback adds to Pep Guardiola’s growing list of defensive concerns as City approach critical fixtures.
In Italy, defending Serie A champions Inter Milan are closing in on the top spot with their sights set on a title challenge. As Inter head to Turin on Sunday to face Juventus, they are just one point behind league leaders Napoli, who have been struggling with back-to-back draws against Roma and Udinese.
Inter Milan’s Title Push and Juventus’ Mini-Recovery
Inter’s win over Fiorentina on Monday put them right behind Napoli, setting the stage for a thrilling Scudetto race. With Napoli facing a difficult trip to Lazio on Saturday, this weekend could prove crucial in deciding the destination of the Serie A title.
Meanwhile, Juventus, who have won three consecutive matches, are eager to derail Inter’s title defense. The Bianconeri will look to exploit Inter’s potential injury troubles, with Marcus Thuram and Marko Arnautovic both struggling with muscular issues. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi may need to rely on other attacking options, such as Medhi Taremi, who has yet to make a significant impact since his move from Porto.
Napoli’s Struggles and Key Injuries
Napoli, led by coach Luciano Spalletti, have been held back by consecutive draws, allowing Inter to close the gap. The defending champions are also dealing with the absence of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s replacement, David Neres, who is out with a thigh injury and likely unavailable until early March. This will add to Napoli’s injury woes as they attempt to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Atalanta’s Push for the Title
Atalanta, currently sitting in third, are five points behind Napoli and are eager to capitalize on the opportunities presented by tough away fixtures for both Inter and Napoli. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will face Cagliari on Saturday, with the added pressure of a mid-week Champions League play-off second leg against Club Brugge. However, Atalanta will be without star attacker Ademola Lookman for the weekend match.
Player to Watch: Moise Kean
Fiorentina’s Moise Kean is having his best season yet, scoring 15 goals in 23 Serie A appearances. Kean will line up for Fiorentina on Sunday against Como, aiming to help his team stay in the hunt for a Champions League spot. The 24-year-old has also been vocal about the racist abuse he faced online after Fiorentina’s loss to Inter Milan, adding a layer of personal determination to his performances.
Key Stats and Fixtures
- 1 – The number of points Napoli currently lead Inter Milan by.
- 5 – The number of goals separating Moise Kean from Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui.
Upcoming Serie A Fixtures (GMT)
- Friday: Bologna vs Torino (19:45)
- Saturday: Atalanta vs Cagliari (14:00), Lazio vs Napoli (17:00), AC Milan vs Verona (19:45)
- Sunday: Fiorentina vs Como (11:30), Monza vs Lecce, Udinese vs Empoli (14:00), Parma vs Roma (17:00), Juventus vs Inter Milan (19:45)
- Monday: Genoa vs Venezia (19:45)
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