Milan have embarked on a late push for Euro football next season.

As the 2013/14 Serie A enters the straight for home, some teams seem to have already reached their pre-set targets, particularly the ones floating in mid-table and away from the red zone in the standings.

Others, like Juventus, are well on course to reach their objectives with the Bianconeri still everyone’s favourites to make it three league titles in a row despite the upset to Napoli on Sunday. Besides, Juve are still in contention to reach the Europa League final which they will host in Turin on May 14.

Second-placed Roma, 11 points behind Juventus, play their game in hand against Parma this evening.

Victory for the Giallorossi will see them applying some pressure on Juventus but, for sure, Rudi Garcia’s men will play in the Champions League next season along with Napoli who opened a 12-point lead over their nearest pursuers following their 2-0 victory over Juventus at the San Paolo.

The race for three Europa League berths, however, is still up for grabs even though fourth-placed Fioren-tina seem to have an edge over the other contenders as they qualified for the Coppa Italia final where they play Napoli next month.

At present, Inter head the list of likely candidates for Europe ahead of Parma and Atalanta. With seven matches to go, Lazio, Verona, Milan and Torino are also in contention.

Ahead of 2013-14, the priority for Atalanta, Verona and Torino was to avoid relegation. The fact that all three have already preserved their status for another year does not impinge on their chances of earning a Europa League slot.

These sides have nothing to lose but the same cannot be said of Lazio and Milan. For them, sixth place represents a way to partially save an otherwise disappointing campaign.

Parma were firm favourites to make a top-six finish until they lost twice in succession – vs Juve (1-2) and Lazio (2-3). The 2-1 defeat at the Juventus Stadium was Parma’s first in 17 matches.

Another setback against Roma today and failure to beat Napoli at home on Sunday might shatter Parma’s challenge for good. They have another tough fixture coming up – against Inter on match-day 34.

Parma have two other home fixtures against Sampdoria and Livor-no and three games on the road (vs Bologna, Cagliari and Torino).

On Saturday, Atalanta beat Bologna to chalk up an unprecedented sixth straight win. Apart from Sunday’s home fixture against Sassuolo, Stefano Colantuono’s side still have to meet Verona, Genoa and Milan at home and travel to Roma, Juventus and Catania.

Verona derby

Saturday’s derby against Chievo can make or break Verona’s season.

If Andrea Mandorlini’s side take revenge for the 0-1 first round defeat to their city neighbours, that morale-booster could be the driving force behind their late challenge for a top-six finish.

After Chievo, Verona have an uphill task as they will play hosts to Fiorentina, Catania and Udinese and visit Atalanta, Lazio and Napoli.

Torino, too, have a complicated calendar with four away fixtures yet to come – vs Catania, Lazio, Chievo and Fiorentina. Their remaining home matches will be against Genoa, Udinese and Parma.

Although lagging behind in the race for Europe, Lazio and Milan could still make it.

Both are more equipped and with lots of experience in their ranks than the other contenders. So, if they can keep up with the progress of late they can still reach their goal.

Lazio, three points clear of Milan, have four home fixtures to come – vs Sampdoria, Torino, Verona and Bologna. Their remaining trips will be at Napoli, Livorno and Inter.

Milan play Genoa, Roma and Atalanta away. The Rossoneri’s last four home games are against Catania, Livorno, Inter and Sassuolo.