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Serie A: Juventus and AC Milan both desperate to secure top four finishes

The Scudetto may have been decided a few weeks ago, but there is still plenty at stake in terms of who will finish in the top four. The Serie A season concludes on Sunday, and in this week’s preview, we will take a closer look at the top four contenders. We will run the rule over Atalanta v AC Milan and Bologna v Juventus.

Atalanta in driving seat to finish runners-up to Inter Milan

Before Atalanta entertain AC Milan on the final day of the season, they will face Juventus in the Coppa Italia final. Atalanta have been impressive this campaign and, at the time of writing, have lost just five of their 37 games to date, meaning they sit second in the table. And they have been impressive lately, chalking up six wins from their past eight games.

In their last outing away to Genoa on Saturday, things were a bit more helter-skelter for Atalanta. After surging into a 3-0 lead before half-time, the deficit was reduced when Eldor Shomurodov pulled one back in the 48th minute. Although Mario Pasalic extended Atalanta’s advantage, Genoa netted twice more to set up a grandstand finish. However, they were unable to find a late equalizer.

Luis Muriel key to Atalanta’s fortunes this term

If Atalanta can hold off their rivals to finish runners-up to Inter, they will have Luis Muriel to thank. A fourth-placed finish in 2017 has been their highest to date, but a win over Milan will see them better that. Muriel has been a beacon of light for Atalanta, and he is currently third in the goalscoring charts with 22 strikes to his name.

AC Milan pass up glorious top four opportunity

Last month, AC Milan looked to be on rather shaky ground. Although they seemed to have turned a corner recently, they endured a goalless draw at home to Cagliari last weekend. This will not have been the best preparation for a trip to Atlanta. If anything, it was a glorious opportunity spurned to secure a top-four finish.

Gianluigi Donnarumma brings up special milestone for AC Milan

Although gaining just one point will have left a bitter taste in the mouths of Rossoneri supporters, Milan’s shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma made his 250th appearance for the club against Cagliari. And he recorded his fourth clean sheet on the trot. He will need to be at his best if he’s going to keep Muriel and co at bay on Sunday.

Juventus in high spirits after morale-boosting win over Inter Milan

Juventus will be disheartened with the way their Serie A title defence unravelled this term. After lording it over their rivals for so long, Juve have disappointed this campaign. However, they surprised champions Inter with a 3-2 win at home last Saturday. A Cristiano Ronaldo strike and a Juan Cuadrado double set them up nicely for a pivotal week ahead.

Although the Serie A title has been wrenched from their grasp, the Bianconeri could claim the Coppa Italia to go alongside their Supercoppa Italiana which they won back in January. Evidently, Juve have come up short, but if they can win the Coppa Italia, and finish in the top four, then the season might not be classified as a complete disaster.

Things haven’t gone according to plan in Serie A for Juve, and Giorgio Chiellini reinforced this point. He said: “We haven’t been consistent enough, and we know that.” However, Ronaldo is poised to clinch the Capocannoniere, which is awarded to the season’s highest goalscorer. The Portuguese superstar has rattled home 29 goals in Italy’s top-flight competition — six more than Romelu Lukaku.

Bologna v Juventus: A tale of past encounters

Things are nip and tuck in the race for the top four, and Juve will be buoyed by its head-to-head record against Bologna. Indeed, the two sides have met 44 times in Serie A, and the Bianconeri have had the stranglehold over this fixture, coming out on top 32 times. Earlier this term, Juve ran out 2-0 winners with Arthur and McKennie on target.

Generally, Bologna have struggled at home to Juve. In each of their past three visits to Bologna, Juve have prevailed. Pirlo’s charges were 2-0 winners last season, and in the 2018/19 campaign, they triumphed 1-0. Juve, for most sides, is a bogey team, and Bologna will have to come up with something special if they are going to deny Juve a top-four spot.

 

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