Serie A
Inter Milan cruised to a 4-0 home win against Atalanta in Serie A on Wednesday, extending their lead at the top of the standings to 12 points as they edge closer to a 20th league title.
Goals from Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, Denzel Dumfries and Marko Arnautovic sealed the win that lifted Simone Inzaghi's side to 63 points, 10 clear of second-placed Juventus, who were shocked by Udinese on Monday.
The Serie A season reaches the midway point this weekend and while no trophy is up for grabs just yet either Inter Milan or Juventus can claim the title of winter champions.
Inter are top with 45 points but the result gives second-placed Juventus, on 40, an opportunity to close the gap as they host AS Roma on Saturday. Genoa are 13th with 20.
Napoli's pursuit of a top-four spot took a hit as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Monza, who missed a penalty, after the hosts spurned several chances in their Serie A clash on Friday.
Massimiliano Allegri's side are second on 37 points behind Inter Milan, who visit Lazio on Sunday. Genoa are 14th with 16 points, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Inter still lead the way in what is increasingly looking like a two-horse race for the title, with Juventus, two points behind, now matching them stride for stride.
Juventus's Federico Gatti scored a stoppage-time winner in a frantic finale to secure a 2-1 victory at Monza on Friday that propelled them top of Serie A.
Juventus are aiming to finish in Serie A's top four and talk of a title tilt is premature, manager Massimiliano Allegri said on Thursday.
Serie A champions Napoli host league leaders Inter Milan on Sunday, with the title defenders looking to show the title pretenders that they are not out of the Scudetto race just yet.
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri said his team must maintain a realistic approach as they try to finish in the top four this season despite the opportunity to claim provisional top spot in Serie A with a home win over Hellas Verona on Saturday.
AC Milan's reserve keeper Marco Sportiello has suffered a calf injury, the Serie A leaders said on Thursday, with first-choice Mike Maignan already suspended for Sunday's Juventus home clash.
Roma have just one win from their six league matches so far and a growing injury list is not aiding Mourinho's cause, particularly in defence.
No financial details were disclosed, but Italian media reported that the 27-year-old has joined Simone Inzaghi's side for a fee of around 32 million euros ($34.94 million), signing a five-year contract.
The 35-year-old arrives in Milan after an eight-year spell at Juventus, which ended at the end of June when his contract expired.
The Georgia international had an impressive season, helping Napoli secure their first Scudetto in 33 years with his contribution of 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 games.
Mass street partying, punctuated by fireworks, flares, horns and firecrackers, began late on Thursday after the Napoli team secured the title with a 1-1 draw away at Udinese in northeast Italy.
"I'm not stupid, you know," Mourinho said. "Today, I went to the game with a microphone. I recorded everything. From the moment I left the locker room, to the moment I returned. I protected myself."
Runaway leaders Napoli could secure the club's third title and first since 1990 this weekend if they beat Salernitana and second-placed Lazio drop points against Inter Milan at San Siro.
Luciano Spalletti's side extended their lead at the top of the table to 19 points over second-placed Lazio, who will be in action against Juventus on Saturday.
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