Milan try to keep title push afloat in Rome as Inter host Genoa
MILAN: AC Milan take their title push to Rome on Sunday looking to keep touch with leaders Inter in a top-four clash which could boost champions Juventus’s hopes of a 10th consecutive crown.
Stefano Pioli’s Milan are coming off back-toback defeats and trail four points behind Inter who can hammer home their advantage against 11th-placed Genoa.
Romainfourth,fivepointsbehindmilan,wereheld to a goalless draw last time out against Benevento.
Both Roma and Milan drew 3-3 in the reverse fixture. It’s a clash between a Roma side who have collected the most league points at home this season with 30, and a Milan team that boasts the best away record -- picking up 28 points on their travels.
“It will be a very important match against a great team that is doing well,” said Roma coach Paulo Fonseca.
The two teams advanced to the Europa League last 16 on Thursday, Roma easing past Portuguese side Braga 5-1 on aggregate, with Milan beating Red Star Belgrade on away goals ater their tie finished 3-3. Milan have stutered in the new year, as they juggle league and Europa League commitments, and desperately want to avoid losing a fith topflight match in the first two months.
Inter host a resurgent Genoa, who have powered back into mid-table with a run of seven games without defeat under new coach Davide Ballardini.
Antonio Conte’s side are without any European football and have won four games in a row as they target a first league title since 2010. In third, Juventus face a tricky task at ninth-placed Hellas Verona.
Cristiano Ronaldo has rediscovered his form, scoring three goals in as many games league appearances ater failing to find the net in the previous three.
Atalanta travel to Sampdoria ater their home Champions League defeat by Real Madrid, with striker Duvan Zapata in doubt ater picking up a muscular problem against the Spaniards.
The Bergamo side are trying to keep their bid for a top-four finish alive with Lazio just behind on goal difference before their game against 12th-placed Bologna. Napoli and coach Gennaro Gatuso are under increasing pressure with three defeats in their last five league games, and elimination from the Europa League.
Italian League fixtures (all times GMT) Saturday: Spezia vs Parma (1400), Bologna vs Lazio (1700), Hellas Verona vs Juventus (1945)
Sunday: Sampdoria vs Atalanta (1130), Crotone vs Cagliari, Inter Milan vs Genoa, Udinese vs Fiorentina (all 1400), Napoli vs Benevento (1700), AS Roma vs AC Milan (1945)