Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has challenged his team to “find an extra gear” when they take on Lazio in Serie A on Saturday.
The Turin giants are unbeaten in their opening three outings of the season, winning 2-0 at Empoli in their last game before the international break.
Lazio bounced back from losing their opening two matches by winning 2-1 at champions Napoli and Allegri knows they will pose a stern test at the Allianz Stadium.
He said at a press conference: “Tomorrow will be a tough game and we have to be 100 per cent focused on this game alone.
“Lazio are a direct rival for the top four. Lazio are a well-organised team, both in defence and attack.
“Tomorrow we’ll be at home, so we’ll see if we can find an extra gear to click into after the win at Empoli. There’s a good atmosphere in the group and it’s always tough to choose who will start.
“But it’s good to know that we have a competitive squad and that will be important to qualify for next season’s Champions League. It’s a young group with a lot of desire, and tomorrow is a big test.”
Allegri said there was a “good chance” Federico Chiesa would start, having recovered from the muscle issue which forced him to withdraw from the Italy squad.
Having Chiesa available will be a welcome boost for Allegri, the forward having already scored twice this season.
Allegri said he could not comment on the situation facing Paul Pogba, who has been provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal after testing positive for testosterone.
“We’re sorry about the whole situation and are waiting for developments and further clarity,” he said.
“We hope that light will be shed on what has happened as soon as possible. I can’t comment on other issues because they concern Paul directly and they are strictly personal.”
He also declined to elaborate further on the reasons behind Leonardo Bonucci’s sudden departure to German side Union Berlin earlier this month.
“I’ve already said everything I have to say about Bonucci, a number of times,” he said. “I don’t feel the need to say any more, I only wish him the best of luck for the rest of his career.”
Napoli manager Rudi Garcia has backed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to return to form ahead of a busy period for the club.
Georgian winger Kvaratskhelia scored 14 goals last season to help the Serie A title return to Naples, but a calf injury has restricted his involvement during the new campaign.
Kvaratskhelia played twice for Georgia during the international break and Garcia knows he can count on the attacker when Napoli travel to Genoa on Saturday night for the start of a sequence of seven matches in 23 days.
“Kvara has played 180 minutes (for Georgia). He struggled a bit in the first match and was a bit better in the second, but I am not worried for him,” Garcia told a press conference.
“He was a bit unlucky in the second half against Lazio. He will score and assist again. He could not play for 90 minutes against Lazio, but two full games with Georgia are good news for us.
“We have seven games in 23 days. It will be like a marathon and we must start well having all the group available.”
Last season’s Scudetto winners suffered their first loss of the campaign before the international break when Lazio won 2-1 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 2.
Garcia admitted he will be forced to make changes to his starting line-up for that match and goalscorer Matteo Politano could be on the bench.
Politano trained separately this week with a knock but could still be included on the bench for the trip north.
Garcia added: “Many players were tired yesterday and some are not 100 per cent fit, but I am happy that there are no injuries.
“Matteo Politano should be with us, even if he can’t play for 90 minutes.
“Kvaratskhelia has only started one Serie A game so far this season but is getting back in shape.
“Those who deserve it will play but the starting line-up won’t be the same as against Lazio.
“We must be more efficient up front. It would be important to keep a clean sheet, like against Sassuolo.
“We must be confident because we have a tidy playing style, which must bring us to scoring more goals.”
AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli feels his side are ready to turn the tide in the Derby della Madonnina against city rivals Inter.
Both Milan clubs have opened the new season with three straight wins to sit top of Serie A, two points ahead of defending champions Napoli, in the build up to Saturday’s clash at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri won the four derbies played in 2023 across all competitions – with their rivals failing to score a goal in any of the games, including both legs of the Champions League semi-final.
Pioli, though, is not bothered by historical statistics.
“I am not interested past derbies – Saturday’s one counts. It is an opportunity to exploit and I want my players to think they can win it,” Pioli told a press conference.
“We are at the start of the championship, we have started well and we want to continue like this with a clear head.
“I am convinced of how the team has prepared and wants to face the match, we know what to propose, but then the matches must be played and interpreted.”
Pioli added: “I want to see Milan, I want to see the team follow our playing principles and what we have prepared.
“I am sure that we will face the match with the right spirit, with enthusiasm and with heart. Against Inter, but also in the whole season. We are not afraid of anything.”
The Rossoneri – who open their Champions League campaign against Newcastle next week – will be without defender Fikayo Tomori following his red card in the win at Roma before the international break.
With Pierre Kalulu also not fully fit, veteran Dane Simon Kjaer should come into the side.
“Kjaer is ready to play such an important match,” Pioli said. “He is strong and has a great personality.”
“I must manage my players in the best way. We will play many games in 21 days. We think about the derby now, then from Sunday we will focus on Newcastle.”
Pioli also confirmed Davide Calabria “won’t be available for a long time” because of an ankle problem.
Despite their own fine start to the new campaign, which has seen them yet to concede a goal in Serie A, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is determined to keep a sense of perspective.
“Before the start of the season, they said that we were weaker – but now, it seems that we will have to win the Champions League rather than the Scudetto,” Inzaghi told a press conference.
“It doesn’t bother me – I am joking about it because this is what I am reading after three victories.
“It is not a problem. We know that we hit our peak last season and that is why it is difficult for me to say if we are better than last year.
“We hope to play another 57 games, but time will tell. We are at Inter to win and we work hard to achieve our goals.
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“We know that we have to work hard and that tomorrow we will have very strong opponents to face.”
Inzaghi added: “Milan and Inter both made a good impression thus far.
“It is only the fourth round (of Serie A), but it is an important match. We want to get the best possible result.”
Inter will check on the fitness of Juan Cuadrado and Alexis Sanchez.
Midfielder Davide Frattesi laid down a marker to make his first start for the Nerazzurri with two goals for Italy in the Euro 2024 qualifier win over Ukraine.
Inzaghi said: “I have to make choices and I’m happy to have options.”
Napoli winger Matteo Politano is recovering from a calf strain sustained while on international duty, his club have confirmed.
Politano has undergone tests back at Napoli after being sent home from Italy’s Euro qualifying squad. He was withdrawn at half-time during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with North Macedonia in Skopje.
The Serie A champions have not confirmed whether Politano is expected to be fit for Saturday’s Serie A match at Genoa, while Denmark midfielder Jesper Lindstrom has rejoined Rudi Garcia’s squad.
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal after returning an adverse sample.
The France international tested positive for testosterone in a random drugs test following Juventus’ Serie A game against Udinese on August 20, when he was an unused substitute.
After the Italian anti-doping body issued a statement on Monday evening confirming Pogba’s suspension, Juventus said the club would now consider “the next procedural steps”.
If found guilty of doping, a suspension of between two and four years could be handed out to Pogba.
“Juventus Football Club announces that today, September 11, 2023, the footballer Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the results of tests carried out on August 20, 2023,” a statement from the Serie A side read.
“The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps.”
Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal confirmed Pogba’s positive sample for testosterone.
A statement from the anti-doping body read: “The National Antidoping Tribunal informs that, in acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Antidoping Prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete: Paul Labile Pogba (FIGC) for the violation of articles 2.1, 2.2; prohibited substance detected: Non-endogenous testosterone metabolites (The GC/c/IRMS results are consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds).”
Earlier on Monday, former Manchester United midfielder Pogba said he was almost driven to walk away from football after allegedly being blackmailed by an organised crime gang.
The 30-year-old’s brother Mathias was detained in September 2022 on suspicion of involvement in the alleged plot, which Paul Pogba claimed amounted to a bid to extort £11.1million from him.
Mathias Pogba was released in December and denies the charges.
Paul Pogba reported the incident to Turin prosecutors in July of last year, shortly after leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in order to rejoin Juventus.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Paul Pogba said: “When there is money you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war.
“Sometimes I was just by myself thinking: ‘I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money.’
“Sometimes it’s tough. This life, you have to go through it. It will only make me stronger.”
Laure Beccuau, a Paris prosecutor, said the investigation was looking into allegations of “blackmail by an armed gang, kidnapping and membership of a criminal conspiracy”.
Mathias Pogba is himself a professional footballer, with the 33-year-old having represented Crewe, Crawley, Wrexham and Partick Thistle, as well as the national team of Guinea.
He is currently without a club after leaving French lower-league side Belfort in 2022.
Paul Pogba could face a lengthy ban after failing a drugs test, according to reports in Italy which emerged shortly after the Juventus midfielder revealed he almost walked away from football after allegedly being blackmailed by an organised crime gang.
It is claimed the France international tested positive for testosterone in a random drugs test following Juventus’ Serie A game against Udinese on August 20, when he was an unused substitute.
Elevated levels of testosterone were reported to have been found, which means Pogba’s second sample would also need to be checked.
According to Italian media, Pogba has three days to produce a counter-analysis of the result. If found guilty of doping, a suspension of between two and four years could reportedly be handed out.
The PA news agency has contacted Juventus and the Italian Football Federation for comment.
Earlier on Monday, former Manchester United midfielder Pogba said he was almost driven to walk away from football after allegedly being blackmailed by an organised crime gang.
The 30-year-old’s brother Mathias was detained in September 2022 on suspicion of involvement in the alleged plot, which Paul Pogba claimed amounted to a bid to extort £11.1million from him.
Mathias Pogba was released in December and denies the charges.
Paul Pogba reported the incident to Turin prosecutors in July of last year, shortly after leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in order to rejoin Juventus.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Paul Pogba said: “When there is money you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war.
“Sometimes I was just by myself thinking: ‘I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money.’
“Sometimes it’s tough. This life, you have to go through it. It will only make me stronger.”
Laure Beccuau, a Paris prosecutor, said the investigation was looking into allegations of “blackmail by an armed gang, kidnapping and membership of a criminal conspiracy”.
Mathias Pogba is himself a professional footballer, with the 33-year-old having represented Crewe, Crawley, Wrexham and Partick Thistle, as well as the national team of Guinea.
He is currently without a club after leaving French lower-league side Belfort in 2022.
Paul Pogba says he was almost driven to walk away from football after allegedly being blackmailed by an organised crime gang.
The 30-year-old midfielder’s brother Mathias was detained in September 2022 on suspicion of involvement in the alleged plot, which Paul Pogba claimed amounted to a bid to extort £11.1million from him.
Mathias Pogba was released in December and denies the charges.
Paul Pogba reported the incident to Turin prosecutors in July of last year, shortly after leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in order to rejoin Juventus.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Paul Pogba said: “When there is money you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war.
“Sometimes I was just by myself thinking: ‘I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money.’
“Sometimes it’s tough. This life, you have to go through it. It will only make me stronger.”
Laure Beccuau, a Paris prosecutor, said the investigation was looking into allegations of “blackmail by an armed gang, kidnapping and membership of a criminal conspiracy”.
Mathias Pogba is himself a professional footballer, with the 33-year-old having represented Crewe, Crawley, Wrexham and Partick Thistle, as well as the national team of Guinea.
He is currently without a club after leaving French lower-league side Belfort in 2022.
Robert Lewandowski scored an 85th-minute winner from the spot as Barcelona snatched a 2-1 LaLiga victory at 10-man Osasuna on Sunday.
The Spanish champions were outplayed for large spells of the game at El Sadar but Jules Kounde put them ahead in first-half injury time.
Chimy Avila looked to have rescued a deserved point for the hosts after 76 minutes but Alejandro Catena was sent off for pulling back Lewandowski in the box and the Pole scored the resulting penalty.
Elsewhere, Portu scored in the 88th minute to hand Girona a 1-0 win over Las Palmas that leaves them second, two points behind Real Madrid, while Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao played out a goalless draw.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as French champions Paris St Germain powered to a 4-1 win over troubled Lyon in Ligue 1.
Achraf Hakimi and Marco Asensio also got on the scoresheet at the Groupama Stadium as PSG piled on the misery for under-fire home manager Laurent Blanc.
The result left Lyon bottom of the table with just one point from four games.
They were overtaken by Clermont, who claimed their first point of the season by fighting back from 2-0 down to snatch a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Toulouse. Florent Ogier scored their injury-time equaliser.
Metz and Reims also drew 2-2 while Le Havre overpowered Lorient 3-0, Lille edged out Montpellier 1-0 and Nice saw off Strasbourg 2-0.
Lautaro Martinez struck twice as Inter Milan moved to the top of Serie A with an emphatic 4-0 win over Fiorentina at San Siro.
Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu, with a penalty, also got on the scoresheet as Inter maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign.
Juventus continued their unbeaten start with a 2-0 triumph at Empoli. Danilo and Federico Chiesa scored in each half.
Nemanja Radonjic scored a stoppage-time winner as Torino beat Genoa 1-0 and Lecce beat Salernitana 2-0.
In Germany, Benjamin Sesko scored twice in the last five minutes to wrap up a 3-0 win for RB Leipzig over 10-man Union Berlin.
Xavi Simons had opened the scoring after 51 minutes and Union’s hopes of getting back into the game were hit when Kevin Volland was sent off just after the hour.
Niels Nkounkou struck in the 87th minute to cancel out a penalty from Florian Kainz and earn Eintracht Frankfurt a 1-1 draw at home to Cologne.
Juventus maintained their unbeaten start to the Serie A season with a 2-0 win at bottom side Empoli.
Danilo fired the visitors in front in the 24th minute and Federico Chiesa made sure of the points late in the second period after Dusan Vlahovic had seen a poor first-half penalty saved by debutant Etrit Berisha.
The win lifts Juve to third in the table, two points behind Inter and AC Milan, while Empoli have now failed to score in any of their three league games this season after crashing out of the Coppa Italia to Serie B Cittadella.
Vlahovic had the first shot on target in the seventh minute, but his right-footed effort was gathered at his near post at the second attempt by Berisha and moments later Jacopo Fazzini fired a shot high and wide at the other end.
Danilo thought he had opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he headed home from close range, only to be penalised for blocking the goalkeeper as Empoli struggled to clear a corner.
Vlahovic then sent a glancing header wide of the post as the home side again had difficulty clearing their lines and that weakness was to prove costly in the 24th minute as Danilo edged the visitors in front.
Danilo’s initial effort following a corner from the left was inadvertently blocked by team-mate Federico Gatti, but the ball came back to the Brazilian defender and he made no mistake with a side-footed finish from eight yards.
Juventus then had numerous chances to double their lead, with a mishit shot from Vlahovic falling kindly for Chiesa to set up Weston McKennie, but his right-footed effort was deflected wide.
Vlahovic himself then fired wide before squandering a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Youssef Maleh clipped Gatti in the box.
Vlahovic had scored a penalty in the opening-day win over Udinese but his left-footed shot lacked enough power and was saved by Berisha with his legs as he actually dived past the ball.
Juventus continued to dominate the game after the interval and Chiesa curled a shot inches wide on the hour mark after playing the ball through the legs of Sebastian Walukiewicz and bursting into the area.
Substitute Paul Pogba then looked to have doubled his side’s lead just four minutes after coming on, only to see his delightful volley ruled out due to Vlahovic being deemed offside in the build-up.
The overdue second goal finally arrived eight minutes from time as Chiesa raced on to a defence-splitting pass from Arkadiusz Milik and was clipped by Berisha as he rounded the goalkeeper, but quickly got to his feet and switched the ball on to his right foot before slotting it into the empty net.
There was still time for Milik to hit the bar with a header from Timothy Weah’s cross and for Moise Kean to clip the post from outside the area, but the two goals were more than enough for a dominant win.
Lazio forward Daichi Kamada sealed his side’s 2-1 win at Napoli as the defending Serie A champions slipped to their first defeat of the season.
The Japan international struck early in the second half after Napoli captain Piotr Zielinski had cancelled out Luis Alberto’s opener before half-time.
Napoli, who finished last season 16 points clear of runners-up Lazio, spurned a hatful of chances after dominating the first half.
But the visitors were well disciplined at the back and always dangerous on the break as they secured their first win of the season.
Napoli made the better start as winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had two early shots blocked and Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel saved twice from Mathias Olivera and Zielinski.
Victor Osimhen headed a scoring chance wide and Kvaratskhelia was denied by another smart Provedel save before Lazio struck against the run of play after half an hour.
Felipe Anderson’s pass inside the box found Luis Alberto and the Spanish midfielder finished with an impressive back-heel into the far corner.
But Napoli’s response was almost immediate as Provedel was left helpless when Poland winger Zielinski’s drilled shot from outside the penalty was deflected past him two minutes later.
The home side continued to rack up the chances before the break, with Osimhen and Olivera both firing off target.
Provedel produced another fine save early in the second half, beating away Zielinski’s swerving volley before Lazio stunned the home fans at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a second goal in the 52nd minute.
Felipe Anderson burst down the right on the counter and his cut-back to the edge of the area was dummied by Luis Alberto, allowing Japan forward Kamada to take one touch before burying a low finish.
Napoli looked to his straight back again and blocked shots from Kvaratskhelia and Stanislav Lobotka sandwiched another long-range effort from Zielinski.
Lazio caught their hosts out twice more on the break and the Napoli faithful breathed huge sighs of relief as two efforts from the visitors were ruled out for offside in the space of four minutes.
Mattia Zaccagni and debutant Matteo Guendouzi both thought they had made it 3-1 before VAR intervention spared Napoli, with the latter’s strike viewed by the referee on the pitchside monitor.
Luis Alberto went close to wrapping it up for Lazio when he curled a shot narrowly wide in the 85th minute.
Napoli applied late pressure, but failed to breach Lazio’s impressive defence and substitute Jesper Lindstrom blazed the ball high and wide when presented a chance in the closing stages.
Simone Inzaghi knows Inter Milan will need to maintain their standards against Fiorentina at San Siro on Sunday.
Inzaghi’s side have picked up maximum points from their first two Serie A matches after 2-0 wins over Monza and Cagliari.
He told the club’s official website: “We’ve started with real determination; the lads have been excellent. We’ve played two matches, and tomorrow we have another very important game. We’ll be as determined as we always are whenever we take to the pitch.
“We know we’ll be facing an excellent side who are well coached and have excellent players. In the past couple of years, we’ve played them many times and they’ve all been difficult games. We’ll need to approach the match in the best way possible.
“In terms of playing principles, both teams make use of the flanks, which will obviously be the case tomorrow, too. We’ll need to cover the pitch in the best way possible because we know that Fiorentina occupy all areas of the pitch very well.”
Inter Milan, Champions League runners-up last term, had a major overhaul of players in the summer.
The likes of Andre Onana, Marcelo Brozovic, Robin Gosens and Edin Dzeko all went to new clubs while Romelu Lukaku’s loan stay expired.
The arrivals of Benjamin Pavard, Alexis Sanchez and Marcus Thuram along with others have boosted the squad and Inzaghi is happy with the options he has at his disposal.
He added: “For 50 days now, the lads have been working on our principles and many other things that we know we need to improve.
“My staff and I are very satisfied because we see on a daily basis how the boys try to follow our instructions.
“They’re working very well. We know that there have been some big changes this year. We’ve lost some important players who did very well for us, but we’ve brought in some equally important players. Some of them are more experienced, and they’ll help our younger lads to integrate as quickly as possible.”
Inter Milan lost 1-0 to Manchester City in last season’s Champions League final.
On Thursday, they learned of their 2023 group-stage opponents and Inzaghi thinks his side will face a “competitive” start to the tournament.
He added: “We were eagerly anticipating the draw. Last year, we knew how difficult our group was.
“This year, meanwhile, we’re in a very competitive group. We know all about Benfica, who we faced in the quarter-finals last season, while Salzburg are a strong and young side who have been involved in the Champions League for many years now.
“Real Sociedad play some excellent football and did really well in LaLiga last year. It’ll be very competitive, and we’ll try to ensure that we’re ready when the time comes.”
Juventus head coach Max Allegri insists it did not make sense to make a late dip into the transfer market.
Juve signed Timothy Weah and Arkadiusz Milik at the start of the window but offloaded a number of players – including the long-serving Leonardo Bonucci to Union Berlin.
However, Allegri did not feel the need to bring in last-minute replacements as he seeks a return to European football.
Juventus were banned from UEFA competition this season, missing out on their Europa Conference League place for finishing seventh in Serie A last term after breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
They had initially finished fourth in the league before being handed a 10-point deduction for irregularities in the club’s accounting.
“Changing players just to change faces didn’t make sense,” he said ahead of the trip to bottom side Empoli, who have yet to score in their opening two defeats.
“There was no chance of taking someone who would improve the team. The input was to maintain a team that was competitive and at the same time sustainable.
“Many players left and this was a very good window. At least it’s closed and we can think about tomorrow’s game.
“Now we have a competitive team, with the prospect of believing that Dusan Vlahovic is doing much better than last year, that it’s a new year for Federico Chiesa.
“The goal this year is to get to December 30, draw a line and see where we are in the table.
“I think we need 86 to 90 points to win the Scudetto this year. Predications are difficult, what’s valid today is not valid tomorrow. Napoli are favourites because they won the Scudetto.
“The goal is to be in the top four again, as happened last year, and to play in the Champions League next year.”
Allegri’s confidence in his players is not necessarily shared by a section of the fanbase, with midfielder Nicolo Fagioli and defender Alex Sandro jeered by some supporters during last weekend’s draw at home to Bologna.
“I’m disappointed at hearing some boos at the Stadium on Sunday, directed at players who are always reliable and professional,” added the Juve boss.
“Fagioli missed some of our pre-season training but he is recovering after breaking his collarbone.”
Allegri was boosted in the draw with Bologna by a second-half cameo appearance from Paul Pogba, who has made just one start since returning to the club from Manchester United due to the France midfielder suffering a number of injuries.
“Pogba needed to be managed well, as he hadn’t played for a year,” Allegri added.
“He did well against Bologna, helping in the build-up to the goal. Even when he’s only at 70 per cent he’s decisive – he’s a different calibre.”
AC Milan have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Fiorentina.
Jovic spent one season in Florence, scoring 13 goals in 50 appearances, after a three-year spell at Real Madrid.
“AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of Luka Jovic on a permanent transfer,” read a statement from the Serie A club.
“The Serbian striker has signed a contract with the club until 30 June 2024.”
Jovic, 25, began his career at Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade before spells at Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Real.
Forward Lorenzo Colombo, meanwhile, will spend the 2023/24 season on loan at Monza after extending his AC Milan contract until June 2028.
AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli hinted Christian Pulisic could be utilised as a false nine during Friday’s game against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
The former Chelsea forward has scored twice in his first two Serie A appearances and could be deployed in the position in the capital.
Milan will be without fellow summer-signing Noah Okafor who is recovering from injury though Samuel Chukwueze and Yunus Musah who also arrived during the summer will be available “from the first minute.”
Pioli’s side lead the early Serie A table after beating Bologna and Torino in their opening games, and will open up a three-point lead on champions Napoli with victory against Roma, for at least 24 hours.
Of Pulisic’s ability to play as the most advanced forward he said: “Everything is possible in football, when there are two essential factors: the quality of the players and their desire to make themselves available.
“Right now I think it’s important to give the team certainties. We’ve changed a lot, between exits and signings we’ve changed almost the whole squad.”
Roma have made a slow start, picking up just one point from their opening two games, from a 2-2 draw against Salernitana.
However, the complexion of their season was altered on Thursday with the confirmation of the season-long loan signing of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
Pioli admitted Lukaku represents “a significant signing on paper” but added that any catalyst it might provide for the atmosphere amongst home supporters at the Stadio Olimpico would only serve to “stimulate rather than intimidate” his side.
Lukaku is not expected to start when the sides meet on Friday having not played competitively for Chelsea this season.
“Every match must be a turning point,” said the manager. “We are Milan and we want to play to win. Roma are strong, they only have one point but they had good numbers in the first two matches. We want to give continuity to the first two victories.
“We always want to play a certain type of football, it’s the opponents who change. We want to play our football, trying to minimise mistakes. We’ll have to be careful and precise, we’ll have to play the game and not suffer it.
“We worked a lot together to prepare ourselves in the best possible way. I always insisted on a certain idea of the game and gave continuity to certain field choices.
“Let’s talk about important players, they are strong and intelligent. The whole system is working, even if there are still many things to improve.”
Roma are likely to be without captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and striker Paulo Dybala for the game in the Italian capital, with both players suffering from injury.
Inter Milan have signed France defender Benjamin Pavard on a permanent deal, the clubs have announced.
The 27-year-old World Cup-winner moves after four years with the German giants in which he added four Bundesliga titles and the Champions League to his medal collection.
He also won the Club World Cup, European Super Cup and German Cup during a Bayern career in which he made 163 appearances and scored 12 goals.
Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said: “We would like to thank Benjamin Pavard for four extremely successful years together.
“Not least in our historic year, he was a very important part of the team, especially as he was the match-winner in the final of the Club World Cup.
“We respect his desire for a new challenge and have therefore agreed on a move to Inter Milan. We wish him all the best and much success for his future in Serie A in Italy.”
Pavard began his professional career with Lille before joining Bayern after a three-year spell with Stuttgart.
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