Four teams chase final Champions League spot

As the title race enters a decisive phase, long-time leaders Milan still have destiny in their own hands.

With only six games remaining, the Rossoneri have a three-point lead over Napoli at the top and are five points ahead of rivals and reigning champions Inter.

Although everything is still possible, Milan are firm favourites to end a seven-year title drought.

At the wrong end of the table, Bari are all but doomed but the battle to avoid the other two rele-gation spots rages on.

There are no fewer than seven teams, separated by just six points, fighting against the drop. Therefore, it is anyone’s guess which sides from Chievo (36 points), Catania (36), Lecce (34), Parma (32), Sampdoria (32), Cesena (31) and Brescia (30) will follow Bari into the Serie B.

Further up the table, there is another mini-league consisting of four teams, namely Lazio, Udinese, Roma and Juventus, who are en-gaged in a fierce contest for the fourth and final Champions League slot.

After last weekend’s results, Lazio are fourth with 57 points, one above Udinese, four ahead of bitter rivals Roma and six clear of back-to-form Juventus.

Before the international break, Udinese looked set to secure a top-four finish and qualification to the Champions League.

Their incredible surge had brought them into contention for the Serie A title as they were not far from Milan.

At that point, Udinese were on a 13-match unbeaten run.

Yet, back-to-back defeats to Lecce (0-2) and Roma (1-2) not only dashed Udinese’s title dream but also jeopardised their chances of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in six years.

Udinese have a difficult trip this weekend as they travel to the San Paolo to face Napoli in what promises to be a make-or-break affair for both teams.

After that, Francesco Guidolin’s side host troubled Parma and then visit Fiorentina.

Their last three games all look tricky on paper. On the 36th day, Udinese have a direct clash against Lazio at their Friuli Stadium before travelling to Verona to take on Chievo. Their final game is at home to leaders Milan.

It is true that Udinese are not under the same degree of pressure as Juventus and Roma to clinch a top-four finish. However, participation in the third qualifying round of Europe’s premier compe-tition would bring significant financial benefits for a modest club like the northeasterners.

Edy Reja has transformed Lazio, considering that this time last year the team from the capital were still in the relegation mire.

Fast forward 12 months and Lazio are very much in contention for a top-four finish for the first time since 2006/07 when Delio Rossi was in charge.

Lazio’s next two games are both away, against Catania and Inter, before they entertain Juve at the Stadio Olimpico. Lazio then have another direct encounter as they go to Udinese.

Lazio’s last two fixtures are both winnable – home against Genoa and away to Lecce.

Montella effect

Roma have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks under the charge of novice coach Vincenzo Montella. They have taken 14 points from seven games since Montella took over from the sacked Claudio Ranieri.

Roma’s only defeat under Montella came earlier this month when they went down to Juventus. Eventually, Roma revived their top-four challenge thanks to their last-gasp 2-1 win at Udinese on Saturday.

The Giallorossi can only be positive about their chances of extending their run as they face Palermo and Chievo at home in their next two games.

On the 35th day, Roma have a seemingly easy away trip to bottom side Bari before hosting Milan.

Roma’s final two fixtures are also winnable as they travel to Catania before concluding their campaign at home to Sampdoria.

Until a month ago, Juventus seemed to be heading nowhere.

But a draw and three consecutive wins have moved the Bianconeri within sight of a Europa League berth and with an outside chance of claiming the fourth Champions League spot.

This weekend, Juve have a tricky game away to Fiorentina.

Their following assignment is a home game against Catania before they head to Rome to meet fellow Champions League contenders Lazio. Juve’s final three games are against Chievo (home), Parma (away) and Napoli (home).

Although, by the look of it, Udinese have the most difficult run-in and Roma the easiest, it is still premature to write off the chances of any of the four contenders.

Needless to say, every point counts from now on as the line between success and failure in football is very thin.

However, it is equally true that the direct clashes are likely to decide the race for the fourth Champions League spot in this season’s Serie A.

Serie A statistics...

0 home wins for bottom side Bari since beating Brescia 2-1 on the fifth day of the season. On Sunday, Bari threw away an early lead to share the spoils with Catania for the second year running. Bari last defeated Catania at home in April 2005 (1-0).

2nd consecutive defeat for Udinese who were beaten at home by Roma for whom Francesco Totti scored the winner in injury time. This was Roma’s first win since beating Lazio in the derby. Lazio profited from Udinese’s slip-up as they scored a goal in each half to beat relegation-threatened Parma at home and move into fourth place.

3 points still separate leaders Milan from Napoli, with only six games to go. Last weekend, the Rossoneri conquered Fioren-tina’s Artemio Franchi Stadium for the fourth season running. Milan’s second straight win coincided with Fiorentina’s first upset since losing to Inter at home on February 16. Napoli, meanwhile, cruised to their ninth away success after a comfortable 2-0 victory at Bologna. This was Napoli’s fourth straight win.

6 players – Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Milan), Daniele Mannini (Sampdoria), Paolo Sammarco, Alex Calderoni, Von Bergen (all Cesena) and Eder (Brescia) – were sent off last weekend. Brescia coach Giuseppe Iachini was also ordered off his bench. Also, two penalties were awarded by referees last weekend. Marek Hamsik doubled Napoli’s lead from the spot and Francesco Totti put Roma ahead against Udinese from a penalty.

10 points collected by Juventus in their last four outings (one draw and three straight wins) as twice they came from behind to beat Genoa 3-2 at midday on Sunday. This was Genoa’s second straight defeat after the 0-1 home setback to Cagliari. Lecce edged Sampdoria in a basement clash to record their second successive win, following their 2-0 home victory against Udinese. This was Samp’s fifth straight home defeat.

28 goals, shared between home and away teams, were scored on the 32nd day. Total number of goals scored so far is 779. Roma’s Totti grabbed the only brace while Sergio Floccari (Lazio) and Luca Toni (Juventus) came on as subs and scored. Udinese’s Antonio di Natale is the leading scorer with 26 goals.