Rome (AFP)

Juventus must react. Beaten Wednesday by Naples in the final of the Italian Cup and harmless during its two recovery matches, the Turin team must show Monday in Bologna that it is ready to resume the scudetto race in its clothes of always, those of favorite.

Even more than the other bianconeri, it is Cristiano Ronaldo who will be scrutinized Monday in Bologna during the 27th day, the first to dispute fully since the resumption of competitions 10 days ago in Italy.

Because Juventus, leader of Serie A, did not score in their first two matches (0-0 against AC Milan in the Cup semifinals, then again 0-0 and a defeat on penalties in final against Naples). And the Portuguese was mediocre each time.

"I spoke to Cristiano again yesterday. He shouldn't worry about trust. At the latest within a week, he will become the fantastic player forever. For now, physically he cannot give the maximum, "said Turin coach Maurizio Sarri on Saturday.

In the meantime, the fivefold Ballon d'Or and its members have a message to convey. They must show that Juventus appeared heavy and without idea in the Cup remains the boss in the championship.

Because there is an emergency. Lazio Rome (2nd) is only one point away and only thinks of this scudetto that it has conquered only twice in its history, in 1974 and in 2000.

The Romans will not play until Wednesday, during what will be the poster of this 27th day, in Bergamo against Atalanta.

Fourth in the ranking, Gian Piero Gasperini's team is aiming for qualification for the Champions League and is also playing for Bergamo, one of the cities hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Inter Milan (3rd) will receive Sassuolo, also on Wednesday. AS Rome (5th), which still hopes to find the Champions League, will host the Sampdoria Genoa.

Tuesday, the match between Hellas Verona (7th), which resumed on Saturday with a victory against Cagliari (2-1), and Naples (6th), inflated by its success in the Italian Cup, puts two teams in good form and who have the right to look a little higher.

The first match of this 27th day will be Fiorentina-Brescia on Monday. It could mark the return of Franck Ribéry, absent since the end of November because of an injury to the right ankle. The Frenchman should not hold, but he could be on the bench and enter the game.

Opposite, Mario Balotelli will however not be there. Breaking with Brescia, the former Marseillais badly ends his adventure with the club of the city where he grew up.

The program for the 27th day of Serie A (Paris time):

Monday June 22

(7:30 p.m.) Fiorentina - Brescia

Lecce - AC Milan

(9:45 p.m.) Bologna - Juventus Turin

Tuesday June 23

(7:30 p.m.) Hellas Verona - Naples

SPAL - Cagliari

(9:45 p.m.) Torino - Udinese

Genoa - Parma

Wednesday June 24

(7:30 p.m.) Inter Milan - Sassuolo

(9:45 p.m.) Atalanta Bergamo - Lazio Rome

AS Rome - Sampdoria Genoa

© 2020 AFP