Juve eager to settle title matters
JUVENTUS will allow themselves no distractions in tomorrow’s city derby with Torino as they can clinch a record sixth consecutive Serie A title as part of a possible treble.
“We want to beat Torino and wrap up the league as soon as possible. Let’s focus on that now,” striker Gonzalo Higuain said.
“Yes, we have a huge week coming up,” defender Giorgio Chiellini said, “but we head into it with bundles of energy and enthusiasm.”
Juve are also in the Italian Cup final against Lazio, which is to be rescheduled from June 2 to May 17 if Juve qualify for the Champions League final on June 3 in Cardiff.
In the Serie A, Juve are nine points clear of Roma with four games left and would clinch the title if they raise the advantage to 10 points. Juve seek a 34th straight victory in their stadium in the derby tomorrow, which would put Roma in a must-win situation Sunday at sixth-placed AC Milan.
The Giallorossi are coming off a 3-1 defeat against Lazio, and host the Bianconeri on May 14.
But Roma also saw third-placed Napoli close within one point in the duel for automatic access to the next Champions League.
A home match against Cagliari tomorrow seems to pose minor threats to the Neapolitans, while Roma’s task looks tougher at the Giuseppe Meazza, with Milan aiming to retain the last available Europa League place.
A first appearance in Europe’s second-tier event looms for Atalanta, sitting fifth when they visit Udinese in a Sunday programme opener.
Playing the next Europa League is all but certain for fourth-place Lazio, who can also secure a place by winning the Italian Cup.
Lazio are at home against Sampdoria, while seventh-place Inter Milan can keep up their European hopes by beating troubled Genoa. Fiorentina may also have a say should they win at Sassuolo.
In the lowlands, Pescara are already relegated and Palermo all but doomed as they visit Chievo.
Third-bottom Crotone are at Pescara and fourth-last Empoli, four points clear of trouble and one behind Genoa, host Bologna. – dpa