Italy’s footballers will return to the pitch this weekend with heavy hearts following the death of Piermario Morosini.
Last weekend’s games were called off after the Livorno player collapsed and died last Saturday during a Serie B game at Pescara. A minute’s silence will be observed at all Serie A games this weekend in memory of Morosini, who was 25 and played on loan at Livorno from Udinese.
“He was an exceptional man, so full of life,” Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale said. “He was always at the disposal of the team and every day he was with us, he gave us all strength.
“What happened to him is tragic and unfortunate.”
Serie A leaders Juventus are riding a five-match winning streak and take on fifth-placed Roma on Sunday evening. Juve are unbeaten this season and are one point clear of AC Milan with six games remaining.
AC Milan are at the San Siro and square off against Bologna bolstered by the return of defender Daniele Bonera and midfielders Alberto Aquilani and Massimo Ambrosini from suspension.
Lazio will be looking to strengthen their grip on third place, the last Champions League qualifying spot , when they host 18th-place Lecce. Lazio are three points clear of closest rivals Udinese heading into this weekend.
Napoli are sixth and take on second-bottom Novara at the San Paolo stadium desperate to stop the rot. Their 3-1 defeat to Atalanta last time out was Napoli’s third straight loss and extended their winless run to five games.
Inter Milan are level on 48 points with Napoli. The Nerazzurri have won just twice on the road this year and take on Fiorentina in Tuscany.
Saturday’s Serie A Fixtures
- Chievo vs Udinese
- Napoli vs Novara
- Catania vs Atalanta
- Parma vs Cagliari
Sunday’s Serie A Fixtures
- Fiorentina vs Inter Milan
- AC Milan vs Bologna
- Cesena vs Palermo
- Genoa vs Siena
- Lazio vs Lecce
- Juventus vs Roma
