Inter and AS Roma resume their rivalry at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow, and if midweek international matches are any indication there will be plenty of scoring.

Alberto Aquilani scored his first two international goals in Italy's 2-1 win over Montenegro on Wednesday and his teammate at AS Roma, Mirko Vucinic, scored for Montenegro.

Inter's reserve forward Mario Balotelli scored twice in a 3-1 win over Israel for Italy's Under-21 squad.

"Roma coach Luciano Spalletti will be happy for the three Roma goals in Lecce," Aquilani said. "I want to win tomorrow, too."

However, beating three-time defending Serie A champions Inter may prove tougher than taming Montenegro.

Inter are tied for the Serie A lead with Udinese and Lazio, while injury-depleted Roma trail six points behind.

Roma captain Francesco Totti has played only sparingly due to injury and remains questionable. The Giallorossi also have serious problems in defence, with Philippe Mexes and Christian Panucci both suspended.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in sterling form for Inter, with his backheel goal against Bologna in the last round ranking among his finest. Coach Jose Mourinho has relied on Adriano to complement Ibrahimovic in attack and the Brazil forward has responded by showing his best form in years.

Adriano's goal in a 4-0 win over Venezuela last weekend was his first for Brazil since the 2006 World Cup.

"It's a special moment. I'm discovering what willpower can do for you," Adriano said. "I'm really trying to make up for lost time."

Adriano picked up a yellow card against Venezuela that ruled him out of Wednesday's match with Colombia, allowing him to return to Milan early.

Ibrahimovic had only one game with Sweden and has also rejoined Inter.

Besides Aquilani and Vucinic, Roma midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta also played on Wednesday for Italy.

Inter edged Roma for their third consecutive Serie A title courtesy of Ibrahimovic's heroics in the final half hour of last season, then got the best of Roma again in a penalty shootout in the Italian Super Cup in August.

Roma fans will surely greet Amantino Mancini with loud jeers if he plays, after the Brazilian moved from Roma to Inter.

Another struggling power, Juventus, visit surprising Napoli, who are two points off the lead.

Juventus management had to publicly defend coach Claudio Ranieri after a 2-1 defeat to Palermo that left the Bianconeri four points off the lead.

More bad news came when goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was ruled out for up to two months due to a leg muscle injury.

Juventus also have a tough schedule, with Real Madrid visiting on Tuesday in the Champions League, followed by the derby with Torino.

"It's a difficult moment because a lot of players are not 100 per cent," said midfielder Mauro Camoranesi, who has a less serious leg muscle problem. "A lot of things are being said right now, but we haven't lost view of our objectives and we're going to work through this."

Juve captain Alessandro Del Piero should be well rested after not getting called up for Italy's two games. Ranieri is looking for more goals, with Juve having scored only five in six games, an average of less than one per game.

AC Milan, who drew 0-0 with last-place Cagliari two weeks ago, host Sampdoria. The Rossoneri were beaten 2-1 by Albania side KF Tirana in a friendly on Tuesday, with a late goal from Ronaldinho avoiding a shutout.

The friendly also marked the return of defender Alessandro Nesta after a five-month injury layoff.

Palermo visit Catania in a Sicilian derby that features both clubs near the top of the standings. In February 2007, a policeman was killed following riots after a Catania-Palermo match.