epa06975339 Inter’s Kwadwo Asamoah (L) in action against Torino’s Lorenzo De Silvestri (R) during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Torino FC in Milan, Italy, 26 August 2018. EPA/MATTEO BAZZI
Round nine of the 2018/19 Serie A season sees a highly-anticipated derby between Internazionale and AC Milan on Sunday night, while Juventus will look to continue their dominance of the league when they play host to Genoa the day before and put their 100 percent record on the line.
The Milan derby at Stadio Guiseppe Meazza (better known as the San Siro) will be litmus test for both the Nerazzurri and the Rossoneri. Internazionale – who have featured Kwadwo Asamoah and Keita Balde strongly so far this season – have risen to third and are looking to make the step up from Champions League hopefuls to genuine title contenders. A run of six straight wins across all competitions coming into the game makes them the favourites.
As for Franck Kessie’s Milan, they are unbeaten in any tournament since their opening-round Serie A loss to Napoli in August and have racked up seven goals in their last two Serie A matches. Gennaro Gattuso’s side are far from the finished object, but on course to continue rising up the table.
The round opens on Saturday afternoon with Roma looking to rack up a fourth straight Serie A win when they host Mohamed Fares and Alfred Gomis’ SPAL at Stadio Olimpico, before Mehdi Benatia’s Juventus chase win number nine with an evening clash against Genoa at Allianz Stadium. The visitors boast the league’s top scorer in Krzysztof Piatek (nine goals) and the Pole has forged a strong partnership with fellow attacker Christian Kouame.
Saturday wraps up with a night game between William Troost-Ekong and Seko Fofana’s Udinese and Kalidou Koulibaly’s Napoli at the Dacia Arena, while Sunday opens with an early kick-off between Raman Chisbah’s Frosinone and Afriyie Acquah’s Empoli at Stadio Benito Stirpe.
Sunday’s afternoon games feature Gervinho’s Parma at home to Lazio, Joel Obi’s Chievo taking on Musa Barrow’s Atalanta at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi and Ola Aini coming up against compatriot Orji Okonkwo in Torino’s visit to Bologna, before Fiorentina welcome Cagliari to Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The round wraps up on Monday night with Kevin-Prince Boateng’s Sassuolo looking to bounce back from two straight defeats when they travel to the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris to face Sampdoria (who have racked up back-to-back victories).
Key stats
Internazionale v Milan – Head-to-Head, all competitions
Matches played 59
Inter wins 21
Milan wins 22
Draws 16
Parma v Lazio – Head-to-Head, all competitions
Matches played 43
Parma wins 12
Lazio wins 20
Draws 11
Juventus v Genoa – Head-to-Head, all competitions
Matches played 29
Juventus wins 19
Genoa wins 3
Draws 7
Serie A fixtures, 20-22 October
All times CAT (GMT + 2)
Saturday 20 October
15:00: Roma v SPAL – LIVE on SS8, Max 2 & SelGO5
18:00: Juventus v Genoa – LIVE on SS8, Max2 & SelGO5
20:30: Udinese v Napoli – LIVE on SS8, Max360 & SelGO5
Sunday 21 October
12:30: Frosinone v Empoli – LIVE on SS8, Max 2 & SelGO5
15:00: Chievo v Atalanta – LIVE on SS10, Max360 & SelGO2
15:00: Parma v Lazio – LIVE on SS8, Max 2 & SelGO5
18:00: Fiorentina v Cagliari – LIVE on SS8 & SelGO5
20:30: Internazionale v Milan – LIVE on SS8, Max 2 & SelGO5
Monday 22 October
20:30: Sampdoria v Sassuolo – LIVE on SS8 & SelGO5
–
Source: DStv