Juventus cannot afford to end their latest Serie A title-winning season with a whimper, according to head coach Massimiliano Allegri, as Coppa Italia glory is at stake.
The five-time champions went to relegated Verona in confident mood having won 25 of their last 26 league matches but, inspired by the retiring Luca Toni, the Gialloblu claimed all three points.
Juventus can atone for that slip-up by beating Sampdoria in the final league game of the season, and Allegri insists doing so is essential if his players are to get into the right frame of mind for the cup final.
Just over a week before the Turin giants clash with Milan in Rome, Allegri told juventus.com: “We have to get back on track with May 21 in mind.
“We went into a dark room in Verona and now we have to get out of it. The lads are intelligent and they know full well that playing like that makes it impossible to get a result.
“It’s true that after winning 25 games from 26, with the Scudetto already secure, you’ll have games like that. It’s a physiological thing and the defeat could even help us.
“Against Sampdoria we have an opportunity to close out the season in style and celebrate winning the league in front of our own fans.”
The battle to secure second place will end on the final weekend as current incumbents Napoli look to keep Roma at arm’s length by beating relegated Frosinone at the Stadio San Paolo.
Should Roma beat Milan at San Siro, a lapse from Napoli could allow them to take the runners-up spot and with it, direct entry into the Champions League group stage.
Inter and Fiorentina will finish fourth and fifth in the final table respectively, with Milan desperate to dislodge surprise package Sassuolo from sixth and claim a route into the Europa League.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s Sassuolo can complete a long journey from the amateur leagues to Europe by defeating Inter in Reggio Emilia tonight.
At the other end of the Serie A table, two clubs are vying to avoid the drop.
Palermo have the advantage having reached 17th place last time out and a home win against basement boys Verona will keep the Sicilians up at the expense of Carpi, who visit Udinese.
Genoa can ensure a top-half finish by seeing off Atalanta at the Marassi while Chievo can bring an impressive term to a close with a positive result against Bologna in Verona.
Elsewhere, eighth-placed Lazio entertain Fiorentina and mid-table battlers Empoli and Torino face off in Tuscany.
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing today
Juventus vs Sampdoria - 17.00
Milan vs Roma - 20.45
Napoli vs Frosinone - 20.45
Sassuolo vs Inter - 20.45
Tomorrow
Chievo vs Bologna - 18.00
Empoli vs Torino - 18.00
Genoa vs Atalanta - 18.00
Lazio vs Fiorentina - 20.45
Palermo vs Verona - 20.45
Udinese vs Carpi - 20.45
Standings: Juventus 88; Napoli 79; Roma 77; Inter 67; Fiorentina 61; Sassuolo 58; Milan 57; Lazio 54; Chievo 49; Genoa 46; Torino 45; Empoli 43; Atalanta 42; Bologna 41; Sampdoria 40; Udinese 39; Palermo 36; Carpi 35; Frosinone 31; Verona 28.
Serie B
Played yesterday
Perugia vs Pro Vercelli - 1-2
Today – 15.00
Ascoli vs Livorno
Brescia vs Bari
Cagliari vs Salernitana
Cesena vs Novara
Entella vs Avellino
Latina vs Vicenza
Modena vs Pescara
Trapani vs Crotone
Lanciano vs Ternana
Tomorrow
Como vs Spezia - 17.30
Leading standings: Crotone 79; Cagliari 77; Pescara 68; Trapani 67; Bari, Spezia 65; Novara, Cesena 62.