The Serie A spotlight is on this weekend as four teams in contention for a top-four finish in the hunt for Champions League football face off against each other. Napoli has almost certainly wrapped up the Scudetto, while Inter Milan, Lazio, and AC Milan currently occupy the remaining top four spots. Roma, sandwiched between AC Milan and Atalanta in sixth, has a chance to move into the top four by winning against Lazio in the Derby della Capitale on Sunday night. There has been speculation around Mourinho’s future ahead of the game, with Eurosport Italy’s Davide Bighiani suggesting that Mourinho’s attitude towards society seems to lay the foundations for a farewell at the end of the year. Meanwhile, Juventus still hopes to secure a top-four finish in Serie A, despite facing a 15-point deduction earlier in the season.
Serie A Spotlight on Champions League Hunt and Mourinho’s Future
The spotlight is firmly on Serie A this weekend as the top four teams fight to secure their place in the Champions League next season. With Napoli having all but wrapped up the Scudetto, Inter Milan, Lazio, and AC Milan currently occupy the remaining top four spots. However, with just three points separating fifth-placed AS Roma from Inter, every game counts.
This weekend sees four of the teams in contention face off against each other. Lazio hosts Roma in the Derby della Capitale on Sunday afternoon, while Juventus travels to Inter later that night. All eyes will be on Jose Mourinho’s Roma, and there has been speculation around his future as the former Inter Milan boss.
Eurosport Italy’s Davide Bighiani shared his insights on Mourinho ahead of the game and the weekend’s blockbuster fixtures. According to Bighiani, the feeling with Mourinho is still good, but his attitude towards society seems to lay the foundations for a farewell at the end of the year. However, it is still early to talk about it.
Despite the speculation, Mourinho will do everything to keep Roma in the top four in Serie A, while also pursuing his Europa League goal. Bighiani believes that Roma’s game plan for the derby is likely to let Lazio play while counter-attacking them. A win for Roma could see them move into the top four and overtake Lazio, setting up a thrilling Champions League challenge given the standings.
Lazio striker Ciro Immobile’s availability for Sunday is uncertain because of illness. However, Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio has shown that they can beat anyone in Serie A on their day. With Juventus still in the running in seventh place, every game counts in the chase for a top-four finish this season.
Juventus Seek Champions League Qualification Through Europa League or Top-Four Finish
Despite facing a 15-point deduction earlier in the season, Juventus remains hopeful of securing a top-four finish in Serie A and qualifying for the Champions League. The team is also into the last eight of the Europa League, where they will face Sporting Lisbon.
Eurosport Italy’s Davide Bighiani believes that morale is high at Juventus, with victories in the league coming regularly and positive progress in Europe. Despite the -15 points in Serie A, Allegri is trying to regain a place in the next Champions League, a difficult but not impossible mission given that the other big teams have slowed down, except Napoli.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan, who are second in Serie A, are still pursuing three goals this season: Coppa Italia, Serie A (but only for second place), and the Champions League. Juventus strongly wants to participate in the next Champions League, and winning the Europa League would allow it.
As for this weekend’s fixtures, Lazio and Roma will face off in a crucial derby. Lazio will hope to have Immobile, who is uncertain due to illness, while Roma will be galvanized by the upcoming match against Real Sociedad. Sarri’s Lazio will rely on key players such as Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto, while Mourinho’s Roma will look to Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham to score.
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