Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Russia's manager Fabio Capello reacts after they were beaten by Northern Ireland in their World Cup qualifying soccer match at Windsor Park Stadium in Belfast August 14, 2013. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
(Reuters) - Inter Milan supporters are unlikely to see any immediate improvement in their team's plight as the club's Indonesian owners appear determined to avoid splashing out on new players for the time being.
Business tycoon Erick Thohir has already make it clear that Inter, beaten 1-0 at Genoa on Sunday, are in a "transitional period" and are more likely to offload players than sign new ones.
But Thohir, who watches most matches on television in Jakarta, is under increasing pressure to act after a dismal run of one league win in eight games which began immediately after he took over as club president in November.
Former AC Milan, Juventus and England coach Fabio Capello joined the chorus of criticism after the Genoa match when he said that Inter could not afford to wait for success.
"When you talk about important teams, you expect that when a new president comes in, he will change things to reinforce the squad," he said in an interview with Fox Sports Italia. "Thohir is not doing that, this is the truth.
"Anyone who buys up an important club like Inter can't say these things. This is an ambitious side and the fans remember victories such as winning the treble in 2010. They can't think about a transitional year.
"I am not convinced by Thohir because he is doing nothing. Inter are a patrimony of Italian football."
Thohir took over as president after the International Sports Capital consortium, owned by himself two Indonesian partners, paid 75 million euros ($101 million) and took on all of Inter Milan's debt of about 180 million euros in exchange for a 70 percent stake.
His first visit to the San Siro was inauspicious as he witnessed a 1-1 draw with Sampdoria which coach Walter Mazzarri described as Inter's worst performance of the season.
Since then, though, things have got worse, including a 4-2 defeat at Napoli, a 1-0 loss at Lazio and Sunday's soggy 1-0 defeat at Genoa which left them joint fifth in Serie A.
MORE FRUSTRATION
The transfer window has brought added frustration with Thohir making it clear that there will be no Manchester City or Paris St Germain-like injection of cash.
"The next two or three years certainly aren't going to be easy, but we need to make the club healthier," he said last week.
"Inter are going through a transition period. Ideally, the average age of the team should be 26.
"That doesn't mean we don't appreciate or recognise the worth of the treble-winning heroes of 2010, but we do need to increase the number of young players in the squad."
"We can consider this season as a transitional one, not a year zero. This is the last year of a fantastic cycle. The new cycle will begin next season."
"There aren't many opportunities in the January transfer window," he added. "The fans shouldn't expect marquee signings, but we'll make some interesting moves should the possibilities arise.
"At any rate, we need to sell in order to create the right economic conditions for buying."
Thohir has guaranteed that Mazzarri's job is safe, which is unlikely to have been the case under his predecessor Massimo Moratti, who employed six coaches in the three years after the 2010 treble win.
One of them was Gian Piero Gasperini, who was fired after five games in charge and got his revenge by leading Genoa to a 1-0 win on Sunday.
He pointed out that, apart from their run of five successive scudettos between 2005 and 2010, under Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho, Inter had basically been struggling since the 1990s.
"In the last 15 years or so, the only ones who have done well there have been Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho," Gasperini said.
"Apart from them, great players, great coaches, mediocre player and mediocre coaches....none seemed to make any difference."
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne; Editing by Ed Osmond)
Lazio have been dealt a massive blow with Ederson to miss the rest of the season due to surgery for detached tendons in his thigh.
The Brazilian midfielder collapsed with what looked like a hamstring injury during Sunday's 3-2 win at Udinese.
But scans on Tuesday revealed tendons in his right thigh had become detached and surgery was the only option.
The 28-year-old suffered a similar injury to his left thigh in August 2010.
"Unfortunately, the lad suffered the same lesion as in the past, but this time in his right thigh," doctor Roberto Bianchini told Lazio Style Radio.
"He will need surgery and he asked for the same specialist who operated on him in Lyon. We agreed to have the surgery there.
"It will be a long lay-off, about five or six months. In the initial period of recuperation he'll have to stay completely immobile with a plaster cast then he can start on light work in the pool.
"This is major surgery. The way the incident occurred and the pain he felt made us immediately worry this was not something banal."
Ederson has scored one goal in 15 appearances for Lazio this season.
Javier Pastore insists he is happy at Paris Saint-Germain, but failed to rule out of the prospect of a move to Roma.
The attacking midfielder has been linked with a transfer away from the Parc des Princes, with the Argentina international mooted as a potential makeweight in a deal to take Roma's Miralem Pjanic to the French capital.
Despite the speculation, Pastore - who has previously played in Italy with Palermo - has no immediate desire to leave PSG, although he was coy on the rumours of a return to Serie A.
"I am happy here (at PSG) and, as I've said, I don’t want to leave," Pastore told Fox Sports.
"Roma? There are teams that have spoken with the club and with my agent. Roma are doing very well and have a strong squad.
"If they were to call me then I'd have to see what happens.
"But at the moment I am happy in Paris."
Pastore joined PSG from Palermo in a deal reported to be worth €39.8million in 2011.
The 24-year-old has since made 111 appearances for PSG, scoring 26 goals.
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini's hamstring injury is not as serious as first thought, the club has confirmed.
The centre-back was withdrawn midway through Tuesday's 1-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Roma, but underwent tests on Wednesday which revealed the extent of the injury.
"Giorgio Chiellini has today undergone a series of medical tests in Turin," read a statement on the club's website.
"These ruled out any serious damage, instead revealing muscular fatigue towards the back of his left thigh."
Chiellini has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Juve this season, helping the club to an eight-point lead at the top of Serie A.
The Turin club continue their Serie A campaign at Lazio, hoping to extend their advantage at the summit.
Kaka conceded Milan are unlikely to be playing in Europe next season after they crashed out of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday.
Mario Balotelli put Clarence Seedorf's side in front in their quarter-final against Udinese at San Siro, but the visitors progressed courtesy of a Luis Muriel penalty and Nicolas Lopez's winner 12 minutes from time.
It was a first defeat for Milan under Seedorf as their miserable season took another turn for the worse.
The Dutchman's team are 11th in Serie A, and although they are still in the UEFA Champions League, it would be a major surprise if they were competing in Europe next season.
However, Brazil international Kaka is determined to use Milan's struggles as motivation to turn their fortunes around.
He told Milan's official website: “We’re really disappointed. The cup was the best way to get into Europe next season and now we have a tough road ahead of us in the league.
"All credit to Udinese but once we took the league we should have got the result. The formation didn't work but against Verona (in a 1-0 victory on Sunday) it did.
"We'll start off again from that and keep working. We have little to talk about and lots to work on.
"It's a tough moment and it's bad to get knocked out of the cup at home. There's a chance now that we won't be playing in Europe next season but we should take this as a motivation.
"It's hard to imagine a Milan side that doesn't play in Europe. It's tough for all of us at the moment. We have a lot of improving to do."
Inter president Erick Thohir has defended the club over their handling over the failed swap deal between Fredy Guarin and Mirko Vucinic.
Talks over the deal, which would have brought Juventus striker Vucinic to San Siro in exchange for Colombia attacking midfielder Guarin, broke down earlier this week after Inter fans reacted angrily to news of the potential transfer.
Juve chief executive Giuseppe Marotta slammed Thohir on Wednesday, criticising the Indonesian for pulling the plug on the deal shortly after allegedly agreeing the switch via text message.
However, Thohir, who secured a majority stake in Inter back in October, has hit back at Juventus for making details of the negotiations public.
"Throughout Inter's long and storied history, the club has always stood for integrity and honesty, and we have made it our mission to uphold and continue that tradition," Thohir said in a statement on Inter's official website.
"During the January transfer window, Inter has taken part in numerous private discussions to improve our club both on and off the pitch.
"Conducted in a professional manner these discussions should remain private, making public comment before the negotiations are final only hurts the process.
"In everything I do, I believe there are core principles of success, including being hard-working, honest and reliable. I am committed to living out these principles with Inter and pushing the club to achieve at the highest level.
"As president of Inter it is my role to evaluate the performance of our personnel and challenge myself and our entire club to excel - management, players and staff.
"I cannot allow anyone outside our organisation to publicly critique our internal processes, and will defend Inter and what we stand for with everything I have.
"At Inter, we have always acted responsibly and in good faith, and will continue to make decisions that are in the best interest of the club both now and for the future."
Michael Essien appears set to sign for Milan after the Serie A club confirmed the Chelsea midfielder's imminent arrival in Italy.
The Ghana international has failed to earn a regular place in the starting XI at Stamford Bridge this season, and now appears poised to relaunch his career at San Siro.
Milan released a brief statement on Friday, revealing Essien was set to arrive at Malpensa Airport.
It read: "Michael Essien is expected in the city this evening."
Essien spent the 2012-13 season on loan at Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, who duly returned to Stamford Bridge during the close-season for a second spell in charge.
However, Essien has made just nine appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this term and will now hope to play a more prominent role with Milan ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June.
The 31-year-old is set to become the first signing for new Milan coach Clarence Seedorf, who took over the 18-time Italian champions following the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri earlier this month.
Attacking midfielder Keisuke Honda and defender Adil Rami have also linked up with Milan in January, although both of those deals were agreed before Seedorf took charge.
Serie A front-runners Juventus and Roma both face away tests at the weekend, travelling to Lazio and Verona respectively.
Juventus' trip to the Stadio Olimpico sees them return to a ground where they have lost twice this season, most recently as Tuesday, as Roma beat them 1-0 in a Coppa Italia quarter-final, a result that ended the club's 13-match unbeaten run in domestic competition.
However, Juve have an immediate opportunity to bounce back on the same pitch at the weekend, as they travel back to Rome to face Lazio looking to extend their winning run in Serie A to 13 games.
Antonio Conte's men, who are chasing a third successive league title, have responded superbly after losing at Fiorentina on October 20, taking maximum points from 12 successive fixtures to open up an eight-point advantage over Roma at the top of the table.
The champions have dropped just five points in 20 Serie A fixtures this term - with a draw at Inter preceding their defeat at Fiorentina - and are sure to be confident of continuing that impressive form this weekend, thanks to their formidable record against Lazio.
Juve have not been beaten by the capital club in Serie A since December 2003, a run of 18 matches, and have won without conceding on their last four league meetings with Lazio at the Olimpico.
Roma's win over Juventus will have boosted spirits ahead of a tricky trip to the sixth-placed Verona, who will be keen to bounce back from successive league losses.
Verona were unlucky to lose 1-0 at Milan last week but will take heart from their terrific home record this season, which has seen them win eight of 10 matches.
Third-placed Napoli are at home, and tackle a Chievo side who have not won in six outings.
Napoli's form could not be more different – Rafael Benitez's men are on a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions that includes wins over Arsenal, Inter and Lazio.
Clarence Seedorf will hope his Milan side respond to their mid-week Coppa Italia disappointment when they visit Cagliari on Sunday.
New coach Seedorf watched on as Milan threw away an early lead to lose 2-1 in their last-eight meeting against Udinese on Wednesday.
Other fixtures on Sunday see fourth-placed Fiorentina host Genoa, while an out-of-form Inter battle rock-bottom Catania.
At the wrong end of the table, Livorno meet Sassuolo in a relegation six-pointer, Bologna go to Sampdoria, while seventh-placed Torino take on Atalanta and Parma clash with Udinese.
By DANIELLA MATAR
Associated Press
Published Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, at 6:15 a.m.
Updated Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, at 6:15 a.m.
AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf shows the thumbs up to his players after AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli, left, scored on a penalty kick during a Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014.
MILAN — Two-time defending champion Juventus will be looking to provisionally extend its lead at the top of the table to 11 points when it visits Lazio on Saturday. Second-placed Roma travels to Hellas Verona the following day.
At the other end of the table there is a relegation clash between Livorno and Sassuolo.
Mid-table AC Milan travels to Cagliari in Clarence Seedorf's third match in charge.
Here are five things to know about the Italian league:
---
MILAN'S EURO WOES
AC Milan will be looking to bounce back at Cagliari on Sunday after seeing its hopes of qualifying for Europe next season all but disappear as it was eliminated from the Italian Cup.
Milan was booed off the pitch on Wednesday after losing 2-1 at home to Udinese despite Mario Balotelli's penalty giving it an early lead.
"We have to be honest, we are very far away from the qualifying positions for Europe," Kaka said. "The Italian Cup was much closer. It was the surest way for us.
"It is hard to figure out what happened. Everyone has to have their own reflection now, we must try to figure out what we can give to the team. Then, Clarence (Seedorf) can tell us what to do, provide us with the motivation to pick up the most points in the league and to face up in the Champions League."
The cup match was new coach Seedorf's first loss in charge after beating Hellas Verona in his first game.
Milan is 11th, seven points off the top five.
---
UNLUCKY 13?
Juventus also has to pick itself up as it turns its attention back to the league following its Italian Cup exit to Roma.
Defeat will come as something of an odd sensation to the players, as Juventus had won its previous six matches, with its last loss coming against Galatasaray in the Champions League at the beginning of December.
Moreover, it will be looking to continue bettering the club record with a 13th consecutive league victory when it visits Lazio on Saturday.
Coach Antonio Conte rotated his squad for the cup match but most of the regulars are set to return this weekend.
"We've always used the Italian Cup as the opportunity to rotate the side ahead of upcoming fixtures," Conte said. "Everyone needs to develop and feel important. I was happy with the performances of those who have played less this season."
Inter Milan holds the record for most consecutive victories, winning 17 in a row in the 2006-07 season.
---
BASTOS BLUNDER
Roma new signing Michele Bastos will be hoping matters improve after a controversial start to his Roma career.
As a smiling Bastos was being presented to the fans ahead of Tuesday's Italian Cup victory over Juventus, he picked up and showed a scarf which had been thrown to him from the crowd, without realizing it carried an insulting message to Roma's bitter city rival Lazio.
Bastos and the club have apologized.
The Brazilian midfielder will be hoping to make his debut at Hellas Verona on Sunday. With Juventus playing the previous day, second-placed Roma could find itself 11 points behind the league leader at kickoff.
---
ALL CHANGE
Livorno hosts Sassuolo in a relegation six-pointer on Sunday with its third coach in as many matches.
Davide Nicola was sacked last week after Livorno lost seven of its past eight matches, drawing the other one.
Sporting director Attilio Perotti was appointed but he lasted only a week after protests from the ultras and a dismal 3-0 loss at Roma.
Domenico Di Carlo, who ended his playing career at Livorno, was hired on Tuesday.
Livorno is level on points with last-place Catania. Sassuolo, which has four points more, completes the bottom three.
---
TURNING POINT
Inter Milan forward Diego Milito believes a good result at bottom club Catania on Sunday could put an end to the Nerazzurri's miserable streak.
Milito has played two full matches this year since returning from his second serious injury of 2013 and the Argentine is keen now to once again find the back of the net.
"I would love it to be me who scores a goal, but it is important to get a victory against Catania," Milito said. "The squad is working well and we're up for it. We hope we can win. The match could be the turning point."
Inter has lost three of its past four matches in all competitions and has won just one of its past eight league matches.
Sassuolo have sacked coach Eusebio Di Francesco after a run of just one win in their last eight Serie A games.
The Stadio Citta del Tricolore outfit sit 18th in the table after taking just 17 points from 21 fixtures so far in their maiden top-flight campaign.
Sunday's 3-1 defeat at 19th-placed Livorno was Sassuolo's sixth loss in their last seven, with their only win since November coming in a dramatic 4-3 triumph over Milan on January 12.
Sassuolo general director Nereo Bonato hinted that Di Francesco's time at the club may be at an end on Monday, and the board has decided to fire the 44-year-old 24 hours later.
Di Francesco, who took on the role in June 2012, will be replaced temporarily by Paolo Mandelli, who has been put in charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.
A statement on Sassuolo's official website read: "The (club) would like to thank Mr Di Francesco for the important work done in the last 19 months and for the successes that make (him an) indelible part of the history (of) Neroverde."
Sassuolo's next Serie A fixture sees them host Verona on Sunday.
Milan have rejected an approach from Sassuolo for Filippo Inzaghi, according to vice-president Adriano Galliani.
Relegation-threatened Sassuolo are searching for a new coach after parting company with Eusebio Di Francesco on Tuesday following a 3-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Livorno on Sunday.
And Galliani revealed that Milan rebuffed an advance from Sassuolo to hire Milan youth-team coach Inzaghi - who had been linked with the role of first-team coach at San Siro prior to the appointment of Clarence Seedorf - as Di Francesco's replacement.
"Sassuolo have asked us (about Inzaghi), and we said no," Galliani said. "My dear friend Pippo came to our headquarters this morning and we told him we cannot let him go.
"I'm sorry for Sassuolo, whose president is a friend of ours and a Milan supporter, but Pippo is learning his trade here as coach of our youth team.
"He is a Milan legend and so he's not going away from here. He's got a contract until 2016. But I can confirm that Sassuolo asked us for him."
Sassuolo sit 18th in Serie A with just 17 points from 21 games ahead of the visit of Verona on Sunday.
Inzaghi accepted a coaching position at Milan in 2012 following 11 years with the club as a player, a spell in which he won two Serie A titles and the UEFA Champions League twice.
Sampdoria head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has strengthened his squad for the second half of the season with the signing of Maxi Lopez.
Lopez, who spent time on loan at the club last season, initially arrives from Catania on another temporary deal, albeit with a view to a permanent switch at the end of the campaign.
The 29-year-old has made only five starts for Catania this term, but will now seek to gain more regular action with Mihajlovic's men, who face a derby against Genoa on Sunday.
"Sampdoria can announce it has acquired, on a temporary basis with the option to purchase outright, Maxi Lopez from Catania," a statement read on the club's official website.
"The striker will be available for coach Sinisa Mihajlovic for this afternoon's (Tuesday) training session."
Lopez scored four goals in 17 Serie A appearances during his previous spell at Sampdoria.
Former Roma president Rosella Sensi has slammed powerhouse Serie A clubs for bringing in foreign talent.
The 42-year-old entrepreneur, who resigned from her role at Roma in March 2011, said she is disappointed in the quality of players purchased from other leagues in Europe.
Sensi included her former club in her outburst, as she claimed all of the imported players in Serie A are 'third choice'.
"Milan, Roma, Juventus and Inter have so many foreigners in their squads," she told Il Tempo.
"But all those who come to our country are third choice foreigners.
"They are coming here just because they are being discarded by teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United.
"If we want to see the new Messi, he's going to be in Spain – whereas the reserve is coming to Italy."
Roma have 17 foreigners in their 29-man squad, while Milan (16), Juventus (11) and Inter (28) also have large contingents of non-Italian players at the club.
Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt is close to completing a move to Serie A side Milan.
The 24-year-old, currently on loan to Fulham from QPR, has landed in the city and expressed his excitement at playing for new Milan coach Clarence Seedorf.
"I am honoured to be able to play in the best club in the world," he told Milan Channel.
"Seedorf and I talked. We were both happy.
"I like to play behind the strikers. I do not know (striker Mario) Balotelli personally, but I know who he is and I am pleased to be able to play with him."
Taarabt began his career at Lens before moving to Premier League side Tottenham in 2007.
After impressing on loan at QPR, he made a permanent switch to Loftus Road in 2010, but then joined Fulham temporarily in the close-season.
Napoli have secured the signing of Brazilian centre-back Henrique from Palmeiras on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
The 27-year-old has previously played in Europe for Bayer Leverkusen and Racing Santander - for whom he featured in loan spells from Barcelona.
Henrique spent four years under contract at Camp Nou, although spent them all on temporary spells at other clubs before rejoining Palmeiras permanently in 2012.
He is now heading back to Europe, however, and will join Rafael Benitez's side.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis posted on Twitter: "Welcome Henrique!
"Your experience and your quality will integrate perfectly with our great team."
Saint-Etienne left-back Faouzi Ghoulam is also expected to move to the Stadio San Paolo before Friday's deadline, with a host of other Serie A club bolstering their ranks late in the window.
Sassuolo have had a busy month, including hiring new coach Alberto Malesani - and confirmed two new players on Thursday.
The newly promoted club have brought Sergio Floccari from Lazio, as well as midfielder Matteo Brighi from Torino.
The Turin club, in return, have taken goalkeeper Jasmin Kurtic on loan from Sassuolo.
Joining Floccari out of Lazio's exit door is 20-year-old left-back Vinicius - who has joined Serie B side Padova on loan, with an option to join permanently.
Hernanes is expected to also leave Lazio on deadline day for Inter - although the Rome club are thought to be demanding €17million for the playmaker.
By DANIELLA MATAR
Associated Press
Posted: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014
AS Roma's coach Rudi Garcia, center, of France, congratulates his players at the end of a Serie A soccer match against Hellas Verona at Bentegodi stadium in Verona, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014. AS Roma's won 3-1.
MILAN The highlight of this weekend's Serie A matches is undoubtedly Inter Milan's visit to Juventus in what is sure to be a heated derby d'Italia match.
There is also the Genoa derby on Sunday, while second-place Roma hosts Parma looking to take advantage of any more slip-ups from Juventus.
Here are five things to know about the Italian league ahead of this weekend's matches:
---
LLORENTE ON SONG
The last time Juventus hosted Inter Milan the visitors ended the Bianconeri's impressive streak of 49 games unbeaten with a 3-1 victory.
Inter cannot stop Juventus' pursuit of a record this time after the two-time defending Serie A champion was held to a 1-1 draw at Lazio last weekend, ending its run of consecutive wins at 12 — five short of Inter's record.
Fernandon Llorente scored his fifth goal in six matches last week as he continues to impress following a difficult start to the season after his transfer from Athletic Bilbao.
"At first it was a new way of working for me and I needed a bit of time," Llorente said. "But slowly, slowly you get used to it, improve and get on the same wavelength as your teammates.
"It was an important change for me, leaving my home country and coming to a new city and new environment. ... Now, however, I'm enjoying one of the best moments of my career."
---
DERBY D'ITALIA SPICE
Matches between Juventus and Inter Milan are known as the derby d'Italia — Italy's derby — and are normally a heated affair.
However, there will be extra spice to this weekend's match after the collapse of a swap deal involving Inter's Fredy Guarin and Juventus' Mirko Vucinic.
Everything had been agreed between the two clubs and Vucinic had cleared his locker and bid his teammates farewell before Inter president Erick Thohir pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute.
Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta launched an angry tirade at Inter's "lack of respect" following the decision and it has left the Milan club looking shambolic in its transfer dealings.
---
FREE-SCORING ROMA
Second-place Roma will be hoping to close the gap on Juventus still further this weekend when it hosts Parma on Sunday.
Roma beat Hellas Verona 3-1 last weekend to move six points behind Antonio Conte's side.
The capital side has been in impressive form of late, scoring 10 goals and conceded just one in winning its past three league matches, and also knocked Juventus out of the Italian Cup.
"Is the title race re-opened? I hope so," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. "Juve isn't unbeatable but it's a very strong team as it already has 56 points from 21 games. Their points tally so far is incredible.
"It doesn't just depend on us: we'll do what we have to do, and if they start to slip up we have to be ready to start cutting back the deficit."
---
TWO-HORSE RACE?
Napoli lost more ground in the title race as it looks increasingly like being a two-horse battle for the scudetto.
Rafa Benitez's team was held to a 1-1 draw at home by relegation-threatened Chievo Verona. It was Napoli's second successive draw and left it 12 points behind Juventus and six behind Roma.
However, it knocked out holder Lazio in the Italian Cup on Wednesday to progress to the semifinals and it is also in the Europa League, after being eliminated from the Champions League.
"We have been involved in Europe and will be again, but we have a talented roster and we will try to do our best on all three fronts," Benitez said.
Napoli visits Atalanta on Sunday.
---
NEW-LOOK MILAN
AC Milan has been busy this January as it attempts to turn its season around.
Clarence Seedorf has won his first two league matches in charge after replacing Massimiliano Allegri, while the club has also been active in the transfer market, with Adel Taarabt set to join fellow new signings Keisuke Honda, Adil Rami and Michael Essien.
"I am honored to be able to play at the best club in the world," Taarabt said. "I spoke with Seedorf and we are both happy. I am an attacker and I like to play behind the strikers.
"I do not know (Mario) Balotelli personally, but I know very well who he is and I am pleased to be able to play with him."
Serie A Wrap: Rami rescues Milan, Udinese snap losing run
1 February 2014
Milan saw their winning Serie A run under Clarence Seedorf come to an end with a 1-1 draw against Torino on Saturday.
Dutchman Seedorf guided his new side to wins over Verona and Cagliari in his first two league games at San Siro, but they were frustrated by a well-drilled Torino outfit.
Ciro Immobile put the visitors ahead in Milan after 17 minutes with a well-taken effort, having beaten Daniele Bonera when through on goal.
However, Adil Rami's first Milan goal rescued a point for the hosts, who remain ninth, while Giampiero Ventura's side move level on points with fifth-placed Inter.
Earlier in the day, Udinese ended their four-match losing streak in Serie A with a 2-0 victory over Bologna.
Francesco Guidolin's side went into the clash having not won in the league since December 21, but they took the lead through Antonio di Natale's penalty after 15 minutes.
Substitute Nicolas Lopez then struck in the final minute to secure the victory and move Udinese up to 14th in the table.
Cagliari also picked up a surprise win, 1-0 at home to Fiorentina, keeping their first clean sheet at home in the league this season.
Mauricio Ricardo Pinilla scored from the penalty spot six minutes before half-time to condemn Vincenzo Montella's side to a first Serie A defeat since December 8.
Serie A Wrap: Juve see off Inter, Roma game abandoned
2 February 2014
Juventus increased their lead at the top of Serie A to nine points on Sunday with a 3-1 Derby d'Italia victory over out-of-sorts Inter.
Lazio ended Antonio Conte's side's run of 12 consecutive wins last weekend, claiming a 1-1 draw, but the defending champions were not to be denied on Sunday.
Juve cashed in on Inter's defensive frailties to maintain a 100 per cent home record in Serie A and strengthen their grip on top spot, while Walter Mazzarri's men dropped to sixth place.
Inter's team coach was pelted with stones on the way to Juventus Stadium and they still appeared to be in shock as Stephan Lichtsteiner opened the scoring with a first-half header.
Giorgio Chiellini then took advantage of some awful defending to double Juventus' lead just after half-time.
Arturo Vidal soon added a third and although Rolando pulled a goal back, the damage was already done.
Inter have now failed to win in their last six games across all competitions.
Juventus were given the opportunity to stretch their advantage at the summit after Roma's clash with Parma earlier in the day was abandoned just nine minutes in.
Heavy rainfall in the Eternal City over the weekend left the game in doubt and referee Andrea De Marco called a halt to proceedings due to a waterlogged pitch with the game goalless.
Napoli are still six points adrift of Rudi Garcia's second-placed side after slumping to a 3-0 defeat against Atalanta.
Pepe Reina was at fault for the first of two German Denis goals when the former Napoli forward's shot squirmed under his body.
Denis then set up Maximiliano Moralez for Atalanta's third goal to leave Rafael Benitez's side without a win in three league games.
Verona leapfrogged Inter in the table, ending a run of three consecutive defeats with a 2-1 win at struggling Sassuolo.
Alberto Malesani's first game in charge of Sassuolo did not go to plan as a Thomas Manfredini own goal and Luca Toni's late strike gave his former club victory, with Antonio Floro Flores pulling a goal back right at the death.
Catania remain bottom of the table, but Sergio Almiron's late goal salvaged a 3-3 draw in a dramatic clash with fellow strugglers Livorno.
Catania coach Rolando Maran was sent off following his reaction to the visitors, who led three times, being awarded a penalty - scored by Paulinho - but Almiron's strike ensured his side avoided defeat.
In the other game to be played on Sunday, Antonio Candreva and the impressive Keita Balde were on target as Lazio beat Chievo 2-0 to end a turbulent week that saw Hernanes join Inter.
Goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis believes common sense prevailed as Roma's Serie A clash with Parma was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
Heavy rainfall in the Eternal City over the weekend put the clash at the Stadio Olimpico in doubt and referee Andrea De Marco called a halt to proceedings in the 10th minute as conditions deteriorated on Sunday.
Both sets of players were happy with the decision to abandon the game as the rain continued to fall with the game goalless.
Roma goalkeeper De Sanctis said: "I won't gamble with the Scudetto on a waterlogged pitch."
Roma, who were attempting to stretch their winning run to six games, announced that tickets will be valid for the rearranged clash - on a date yet to be confirmed - or full refunds will be paid.
Manchester United outcast Anderson predicts several players could leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
The Brazilian, who joined Fiorentina on loan during the January transfer window, has warned that some of the current squad may want out in a search for a new challenge.
Anderson, who arrived in Manchester from Porto seven years ago, failed to earn regular game time under new manager David Moyes with United struggling in their attempts to defend their Premier League title.
Although he is yet to taste victory as a Fiorentina player, Anderson hopes to move to Sere A permanently, expecting others to also eye an exit from United.
"I am sure that lots of players want out," he said.
"Especially people like myself and Nani, who have been in Manchester for seven or eight years.
"Manchester United is a huge club, a club that does everything for its players, but sometimes a footballer wants to leave just to experience a different way to play football and to learn something as well.
"Playing in Manchester was great, it is a prestigious club with a lot of history.
"But I was there for seven or eight years and I want to show Fiorentina my quality and fight for a spot in the starting line-up.
"I thank all Manchester United fans for their love, but I'm here to stay."
