Claudio Ranieri faces a tricky return to Fiorentina

Milan, Oct 4: Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri faces a tricky return to former club Fiorentina and struggling AC Milan visit an upbeat Lazio in Sunday's top Serie A clashes.

Champions and league leaders Inter Milan host fifth-placed Napoli on Saturday with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in superb form following his fourth double of the season in the 2-0 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.

The Sweden forward has seven league goals this term and is joint top scorer with Juve's David Trezeguet, who has jumped straight back into top flight football despite spending last season in Serie B following his side's match-fixing demotion.

The France striker will find life tougher against flying Fiorentina, who have coped with Luca Toni's departure to Bayern Munich thanks to the form of ex-Juventus forward Adrian Mutu.

Inter top the table on 14 points with Juve just one point behind and Fiorentina in third place on 12.

Ranieri was boss of the Florence club between 1993 and 1997 but goes back without suspended midfielder Cristiano Zanetti, who started his career at Fiorentina.

Juventus fans will also be banned after the match was ruled to have a high risk of trouble following violence before last weekend's Turin derby between Juve and Torino.

Milan have suffered a lacklustre start, winning their opener and then drawing 1-1 four times and losing at Palermo.

The holders also conceded in the last minute to lose 2-1 at Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday when goakeeper Dida was struck by a fan and fell to the ground several seconds later before being carried off.

Lazio meet Carlo Ancelotti's side at the perfect time with confidence high after a battling 2-2 Champions League draw with Real Madrid in midweek.

Milan are also still without Paolo Maldini and Ronaldo after surgery with defender Kakha Kaladze joining the injury list.

AS Roma, in fourth, visit Parma without Ludovic Giuly after his red card in the 4-1 defeat by Inter last weekend. Alberto Aquilani is also out for two months after his injury in Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League loss at Manchester United.

Reuters>