Milan, Oct 24: Juventus host Palermo Sunday looking to build on their slim advantage over Roma as both Serie A giants limp back to domestic duty following respective beatings in Europe earlier this week.
The lustre was taken off Roma's solid Serie A season so far by a humbling 7-1 defeat by Bayern Munich while Juve continued to misfire in the Champions League in a 1-0 defeat to Olympiakos that dented their Group A hopes.
Champions Juve and title challengers Roma may rule the roost in Italy, but Italian clubs in Europe are struggling to keep pace.
"I think the Italians suffer against the faster style of play of the big clubs in Europe," said Bayern Munich official Karl-Heinz Rummenigge following Roma's crushing defeat at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday.
Former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, meanwhile, suggested to Mediaset that Juventus failed to score in Athens because "our football is based on the individual, and is played slower.
"Olympiakos tried to score. In Italy some teams don't ever try (to score)."
Juventus had a "technically poor" first half, according to coach Massimiliano Allegri, and after Pajtim Kasami's 36th minute opener, Bianconeri striker Alvaro Morata spurned several clear chances in a much improved second half. AFP