JUVENTUS, who face Manchester Utd in the Champions League on Tuesday night, remain top of Serie A but only on goal difference from Inter Milan after the weekend’s action in Italy.

Christian Vieri outshone Inter Milan new boy Gabriel Batistuta by grabbing a hat-trick as the Nerazzurri moved back into second place in Serie A with a convincing 3-0 victory against Empoli.

REAL MADRID remain in second spot in La Liga following last night’s 2-2 draw at home to city rivals Atletico.

RONALDO came off the bench to make a dramatic Real Madrid debut last night, scoring his first goal within 60 seconds and adding a second 14 minutes later to help his side to a 5-2 win over Alaves.

Italian league president Adriano Galliani yesterday insisted the government has a responsibility to help the country’s football clubs in their television dispute because of the tax revenues earned from the game.

The Italian league authorities will decide tomorrow whether to postpone the start of the Serie A season due to the lack of a television agreement between the clubs and broadcasters.

Nestor Sensini traipsed off the Wembley pitch to a cacophony of jeers and you had to feel a jot of sorrow for the balding Argentinian.

Coventry goalkeeper Magnus Hedman has been targeted by Italian club Fiorentina following the Sky Blues’ relegation from the Premiership.