Juventus look for revenge against Inter

Some of the protagonists have tried with little success to play down a showdown that fans, Juve's in particular, have been waiting more than one year for.

 "They are the ones who are looking forward to it more," said Inter president Massimo Moratti. "For us it is a traditionally important game, but what matters is the league and each game is worth three points. We are not giving one game priority over an other."

   The long-time rivalry between the two clubs escalated in the summer of 2006, when a corruption trial sentenced Juve to relegation and awarded the title they had just won to Inter, who then retained it in the past season as the black-whites played in the Serie B.

 "We have waited for this game for one year," said Juve striker David Trezeguet, who geared up for the affair with a hat-trick against Empoli in a mid-week round. "Obviously, we want to do well, for ourselves, the fans, the league."

   With the Frenchman leading the scorers' table on 10 goals, internationals Vincenzo Ianquinta and Mauro Camoranesi returning from injury and mainstay Pavel Nedved ending a suspension, Juve feel they are in good shape for the game.

 "Indeed we tackle the blue-blacks in the best possible form," coach Claudio Ranieri said. "We respect Inter, but will try to beat them to make the league more interesting."

   After dominating the previous season, Inter sit top once again this year with 24 points from 10 games, four notches above Juve.

 Roberto Mancini misses Dejan Stankovic and Patrick Vieira in midfield and may have to keep using third goalkeeper Paolo Orlandoni as Julio Cesar nurses a back pain and Francesco Toldo recovers from a broken foot.

 Second-placed Roma won the city derby over Lazio to remain three points clear of Inter. On Sunday afternoon they face an away game at Empoli after which they'll become one-time fans of Juve along with Fiorentina.

 The Florence side lie level with Juve on 20 points ahead of a game at Lazio Saturday and hope to improve their standing like Udinese, on 18 points when they visit bottom side Livorno.

 Struggling AC Milan lag on 13 points when they play late Saturday at Torino after a 5-0 hammering of Sampdoria that followed two straight defeats.

 Atalanta, on 15 points, visit Catania, lying level on 14 with Palermo, away at Genoa, and Napoli, who welcome joint-last Reggina.

 Cagliari entertain Sampdoria and Parma and Siena square off in the lower reaches.