MILAN // Leaders Juventus are "relaxed" for their visit to third-placed Napoli on Sunday without suspended striker Carlos Tevez, according to coach Antonio Conte.
A 2-1 win over Parma on Wednesday thanks to a Tevez double was Juve’s 15th consecutive win at home and restored their 14-point lead over Roma to bring a third consecutive title even closer to Turin.
Tevez was cautioned during the win, meaning he will miss the trip to San Paolo because of a one-match suspension.
But with several strikers at his disposal, including Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, Sebastian Giovinco and Fabio Quagliarella, Conte was not too concerned.
“Carlos isn’t available but someone will take his place,” the Juve coach said. “We are feeling relaxed, especially after a win over an excellent Parma side.”
For South American fans of Serie A, Tevez’s absence is regrettable as it would have pitted the Argentinian against compatriot Gonzalo Higuain.
Unlike Tevez, Higuain seems to have cemented his place in Alejandro Sabella’s Argentina side for the World Cup, although Tevez, who has never been called up during Sabella’s time in charge, was defiant.
“It’s not up to me to pick up the phone and convince him. If I don’t get picked, I’ll go to the seaside with my family,” Tevez said.
Nevertheless, Sunday’s clash is still likely to produce fireworks, according to Marcello Lippi, who has preceded Conte and Rafael Benitez as coach of both clubs.
“Considering the way both coaches will approach the game, I’m sure sparks will fly,” Lippi told the Ultimecalcionapoli.it website.
“Juventus have shown they are virtually unbeatable, but it will be an open game and the result could go either way.”
Juve’s only league defeat this season came in October when Fiorentina fought back from a two-goal deficit to stun the champions 4-2 in Florence.
Since then, Conte’s side has dropped points only twice, during draws away to Lazio and Verona.
Despite sitting six points behind Roma, who also have a game in hand, Napoli believe they can fight their way into contention for runner-up spot and the second automatic Uefa Champions League qualifying place.
Benitez began preparations for Sunday's clash by resting Higuain and several other players during a 4-2 win away to Catania on Wednesday, when the Argentine's deputy, Duvan Zapata, scored twice.
With one eye on Juve's commitments elsewhere – they face Lyon away in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on April 3 – Benitez said this weekend could signal a turnaround.
“Our aim is to keep on targeting Roma in second,” Benitez said.
“We just have to concentrate on our own jobs, keep on winning and see what happens. After the Juve game, we’ll have only one match a week and things should ease up.”
Roma coach Rudi Garcia has likely taken note, but the Frenchman leads his side to struggling Sassuolo, who have lost nine of their past 11 encounters, looking for a fourth consecutive win.
Sassuolo are one of a handful of sides, along with Catania, Livorno, Bologna and Chievo, battling to beat the drop.
The fight for European places, meanwhile, continues apace with a handful of sides all in contention for the two Europa League spots awarded to the fourth- and fifth-place finishers.
With fourth-placed Fiorentina 10 points adrift of Napoli and only three ahead of Inter – held to a scoreless draw at home to Udinese on Thursday – Vincenzo Montella’s side will have to be focused for a tricky trip away to resurgent Sampdoria.
Inter sit only one point ahead of Parma, who could move up to fifth with at least a draw away to Lazio on Sunday. Inter are not in action until Monday, when they travel to Livorno.
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
Summer special
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
