Rome (AFP)

Inter Milan, fully focused on its "scudetto mission" since leaving the road in the Champions League, covets this weekend the first place of AC Milan, leader still deprived of Ibrahimovic for his trip to the lawn of Sassuolo Sunday.

At home on Sunday against La Spezia (16th) during this 13th day, the Nerazzurri seem able to continue their fine series of league victories (five in a row).

Solid failing to always control their matches, Antonio Conte's men confirmed their ambitions against Naples (1-0) on Wednesday.

The coach may "want to smile" when journalists speak to him of an "obligation" to win, Inter is now expected at the turn after the catastrophic course in C1 synonymous with spring without any continental competition.

Especially since the lead of AC Milan melted to only one point after the two draws painfully snatched against Parma (2-2) and Genoa (2-2).

These two matches, similar in the scenario, gave to see the Rossoneri a little tired and permeable in defense but still as combative and hard to beat: the young team of Stefano Pioli remains in 24 consecutive matches without defeat since the resumption of the Serie A in June (12 last season, 12 this season).

The Milanese will have a lot to do to be able to spend Christmas in their leader's chair: their last two matches of the year are far from the simplest with a trip to Sassuolo on Sunday before welcoming Lazio Rome on Wednesday .

The Neroverdi (6th) have certainly marked time for a few weeks but they have found their precious center forward Francesco Caputo (5 goals).

Especially since AC Milan will still have to do without its star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was injured again, in the calf this time, while he was preparing his return after having already missed seven matches for muscle discomfort in a thigh.

The 39-year-old Swede, co-top scorer with ten goals (in just six games played!), Will not return until January.

Third behind the two Milan, Juventus goes to Parma on Saturday night (14th), to catch up on the new points abandoned this week against Atalanta (1-1).

Without the Argentinian Paolo Dybala (muscle discomfort in his right leg), the Brazilian Arthur, who came out injured Wednesday (knee), nor Giorgio Chiellini (in the recovery phase).

Lazio Rome (9th) and Atalanta Bergamo (8th) are also behind in their ambitions in the league, probably the fault of the energy left in C1 to qualify for the round of 16.

The weekend will tell if they can return to play the leading roles with two big home matches: against an AS Rome in great shape (4th) for the Bergamasques still undermined by internal tensions between coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his captain Alejandro "Papu" Gomez;

against the Neapolitans (5th) revenge after their defeat against Inter for the Laziali of Simone Inzaghi.

Program of the 13th day (in French hours):

Saturday

(3:00 p.m.) Fiorentina - Hellas Verona

(6:00 p.m.) Sampdoria Genoa - Crotone

(8:45 p.m.) Parma - Juventus Turin

Sunday

(12:30 p.m.) Torino - Bologna

(3:00 p.m.) Cagliari - Udinese

Benevento - Genoa

Sassuolo - AC Milan

Inter Milan - Spezia

(6 p.m.) Atalanta Bergamo - AS Rome

(8:45 p.m.) Lazio Rome - Naples

© 2020 AFP