(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-13 22:03

Udinese was routed 5-0 by Napoli in its last game after drawing with Inter Milan in its opener.

"Against Napoli they had an off-day. The real Udinese was the one that drew with Inter," Ranieri said.

After the break for international play, Udinese should have more fresh players than Juventus.

"The most difficult games come after national team breaks," Ranieri said. "Players come and go and don't have much time to focus on their club."

Roma captain Francesco Totti has retired from international play and should be fresh, although coach Luciano Spalletti might want to rest a few top players considering the club's upcoming schedule.

After visiting Reggina, Roma hosts Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by league games with Juventus, Fiorentina and Inter. To cap things off, there is a road trip to face Manchester United on October 2.

AC Milan might be hard-pressed to field Kaka when it visits Siena on Saturday. Last season's Champions League player of the year scored in Brazil's 3-1 win over Mexico in Massachusetts on Wednesday and will be late returning to Milan.

Milan opens defense of its European Cup title against Benfica on Tuesday.

Lazio, which has also qualified for the Champions League, hosts Empoli on Saturday before visiting Olympiakos three days later.

Inter, which has had a slow start in defense of its Serie A title, hosts Catania before facing Fenerbahce.

Christian Chivu returned from Romania's friendly loss to Germany with a shoulder injury and Walter Samuel also has a lingering problem, creating defensive worries for Inter. Marco Materazzi is still recovering from thigh surgery.

Sunday's other games are: Fiorentina vs. Atalanta, Genoa vs. Livorno, Napoli vs. Sampdoria, Palermo vs. Torino and Parma vs. Cagliari.

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