Matri: Milan still favourites

Juventus striker Alessandro Matri says AC Milan are still favourites for the Serie A title despite his side’s strong start to the 2011/12 campaign.

The Turin outfit are top of the table after nine unbeaten games and demonstrated their title credentials by beating Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro on Saturday.

But Matri believes Massimiliano Allegri’s men are still the team to beat this term.

“AC Milan are the favourites for the Scudetto because they are already the champions of Italy and have great players,” the 27-year-old told Tuttosport.

“Saturday’s game is forgotten, we are already thinking about the next game with Napoli.”

While Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli have an important Champions League tie against Bayern Munich in midweek, Matri is unsure whether this is to Juventus’ advantage.

“Do we benefit because we are not in Europe? Honestly, we were hoping to be able to play in the Champions League,” he said.

“Maybe from the physical point of view we will have some advantages, but in these games effort is the decider.”

“From this point of view, we can count on (manager Antonio) Conte, who is good at keeping his concentration in all types of games.”

Juventus sit one point ahead of Udinese and Lazio in Serie A, with Milan two points off the pace in fourth.