Antonio Conte’s Inter have already wrapped up the Serie A
title but the battle behind for a top four finish that would secure elite
European football next season is tight.
Just three points separate second-placed Atalanta and
Juventus in fifth with two games left to play.
Atalanta and AC Milan are equal on 75 points, followed by
fourth-placed Napoli on 73 and Juventus on 72.
The Champions League spots could be decided this weekend.
If Atalanta and Milan win, both will have booked their spots
as they have a better head-to-head record with Juve.
Juve have won just four of their last nine league games and
need a win against Inter to have any chance of elite football.
“We’ve caused problems for ourselves lately, now we’ll go
all out in our remaining matches,” said Pirlo.
If Juventus fail to win and Napoli get all three points at
13th-placed Fiorentina, the Turin side will be destined to play Europa League
football next season.
“We’re still alive and kicking. It won’t be easy but we’ll
keep fighting till the end,” added Pirlo with an Italian Cup final against
Atalanta next Wednesday.
Juventus lost 2-0 to Inter at the San Siro earlier this
season, with Conte’s side currently on a 20-match unbeaten run.
Pirlo will be counting on Serie A top scorer Cristiano
Ronaldo, and Paulo Dybala, who brought their tally to 100 goals for the club in
a win over Sassuolo during the week.
“The only thing we’re thinking about now is qualifying for
the Champions League,” said French midfielder Adrien Rabiot with Juve’s final
game at Bologna.
“We’re a bit tired but we have to keep pulling out all the
stops in the last two games and keep trying till the end.”
Atalanta travel to 14th-placed Genoa with AC Milan at home
against relegation-threatened Cagliari after their seven-goal midweek win over
Torino.
The Bergamo side host Milan in their final match of the
season.
“Three points are missing,” said Atalanta coach Gian Piero
Gasperini.
“We have to find them at Genoa.”
Milan are without injured striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but
shook off his absence with their Torino rout after a 3-0 win over Juventus and
have not conceded a goal in their last three games.
“Two such important performances are a very important sign,”
said coach Stefano Pioli.
“Two weeks ago they gave us all up for half dead, now we
have our fate in our hands.
“We are 3km from the summit, until you finish anything can
happen on the way up.”
At the bottom of the table four teams can still take the
final relegation spot.
Benevento, currently occupying the position, can pick up
points against already-relegated Crotone.
Torino and Spezia, both four points ahead of Benevento, go
head-to-head in a direct clash for top flight survival.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Saturday
Genoa v Atalanta, Spezia v Torino (1300GMT), Juventus v
Inter Milan (1600), AS Roma v Lazio (1845)
Sunday
Fiorentina v Napoli (1030GMT), Benevento v Crotone, Udinese
v Sampdoria (1300), Parma v Sassuolo (1600), AC Milan v Cagliari (1845)
-AFP
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