Serie A Previews: Adriano warns Mourinho
ROME - Brief news ahead of this weekend's matches in Italy's Serie A:
Adriano will be in Inter Milan's squad for Saturday's big match against Juventus after missing last week's 2-0 win at Palermo because of influenza and being dropped by coach Jose Mourinho for the four previous games because of indiscipline.
The striker had warned that he would leave the Serie A champions if he did not get regular action, after scoring in Brazil's 6-2 win over Portugal on Wednesday.
"All the players who are available will be called up," Mourinho told a news conference on Friday. "I'm in absolute agreement with what he (Adriano) said. Every footballer always wants to play and if he does not he has to think about changing."
Leaders Inter will be without suspended defender Ivan Cordoba for the San Siro showdown.
Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri has deflated speculation that Gianluigi Buffon is on his way to Manchester City after Italian media reported the Premier League club have prepared a 75-million-euro bid for the Italy keeper, who is expected to be out until January with a leg injury.
"Buffon is staying with us," Ranieri told reporters.
The coach said midfielder Tiago may be unable to face Inter after the fatigue of travelling to Brazil with Portugal this week and that Mauro Camoranesi's fitness also needs to be assessed.
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Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen will stay on the sidelines a few days longer with a thigh problem and French defender Jonathan Zebina will be out for three months after surgery on an Achilles injury, the club said on their website.
Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo should be available for second-placed AC Milan's visit to Torino on Sunday after recovering from a thigh problem.
Defender Philippe Senderos is training with his team mates too after back and foot problems, the club said on their website.
Defender Marco Di Loreto is suspended for struggling Torino.
Antonio Di Natale is expected to return from a knee problem for sixth-placed Udinese in Saturday's trip to Fiorentina, media said.
However, fellow Italy forward Fabio Quagliarella is a doubt after breaking his nose while training with the national team before Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Greece in a friendly.
Romania forward Adrian Mutu is confident of playing for the Florence side following a muscle problem, the latest in a series of injuries he has suffered this season.
"I'm ready to return and I'd like not to have to stop any more," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani should be available for AS Roma's match at Lecce on Sunday after a month out with a thigh injury, media reported.
Simone Perrotta is suspended for Roma, who want to prove they are over their miserable start following last week's 1-0 victory over Lazio in the derby and their 3-1 win over Chelsea in the Champions League two weeks ago.