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Juventus poised to win eighth straight Serie A title in record time
MILAN, April 5, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Champions Juventus turn their focus to
nailing down an eighth consecutive Serie A title in record time this weekend,
days after a row erupted over racist abuse aimed at starlet Moise Kean in
Cagliari.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side return to their home comforts of the Allianz
Stadium in Turin to host AC Milan after their trip to Sardinia on Tuesday
ended amid scenes of chaos as Kean and teammate Blaise Matuidi were subjected
to monkey cries and racist chanting.
Juventus could win the league title with seven games to spare — the
earliest any team has ever sealed Serie A — if they beat AC Milan and
nearest challengers Napoli lose at home to Genoa.
The Turin giants have an 18-point advantage on Napoli and have won both
their direct clashes with Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season.
“The eighth consecutive championship is in the ‘loading phase’,” said Juve
captain Giorgio Chiellini.
“Right now, the ‘uploading’ is getting closer to completion. These will be
two very important weeks for us.”
Boosted by the summer signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus have had an
unparalleled campaign, with just one defeat in 30 games on March 17 against
Genoa, when the Portuguese superstar was rested.
But Allegri’s side are building momentum as they prepare for next week’s
Champions League quarter-final, first leg clash against Ajax in Amsterdam.
If they don’t seal the title on Sunday they can do so the following weekend
with a win at SPAL.
In both cases it would be a record for the 20-team Italian championship.
Three teams have won with five games to go — Roberto Mancini’s Inter Milan
in 2006-2007, Torino in 1947-1948 and Fiorentina in 1955-1956.
Paris Saint-Germain hold the European record by winning Ligue 1 three years
ago with eight games to spare.
Allegri wants to seal a 35th ‘Scudetto’ as quickly as possible, before the
real seasonal goal, the coveted Champions League, last achieved in 1996.
– ‘Precious points’ –
The Serie A points record of 102 which Juventus achieved under Antonio
Conte in the 2013-2014 season, remains an achievable goal as by winning the
last eight remaining matches they can achieve 105.
Ronaldo is recovering from a right thigh injury, which could rule him out
of this weekend’s game.
But tests carried out on Monday, indicated he may be able to play the first
leg agianst Ajax, according to reports in Italy.
Allegri could opt for the 34-year-old to start on the bench on Saturday and
give him a runout before the Ajax challenge.
Injury-hit AC Milan, in fourth, are desperate for a result having taken
just one point from their last three league games.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side occupy the final Champions League berth, but have
just a one-point advantage on Atalanta, with Lazio, Roma and Torino four
points behind.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (thigh) and midfielder Lucas Paqueta (right
ankle) are out injured, complicating matters as Milan target a Champions
League return after six years.
Milan lost 2-0 to Juventus in the reverse fixture.
“We’ll go to Turin to take home precious points,” defender Ignazio Abate
told Milan TV. “There’s still a long way to go and anything can happen.”
Inter Milan, in third, take on Atalanta, fifth, in the San Siro, in a clash
between Champions League hopefuls with both teams coming off four-goal wins
this week.
AS Roma travel to European rivals Sampdoria as Lazio, with a game in hand,
hosting Sassuolo and Torino at Parma.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Saturday
Parma v Torino (1300), Juventus v AC Milan (1600), Sampdoria v AS Roma
(1830)
Sunday
Fiorentina v Frosinone (1030), Cagliari v SPAL, Udinese v Empoli (1300),
Inter Milan v Atalanta, Lazio v Sassuolo (1600), Napoli v Genoa (1830)
Monday
Bologna v Chievo (1830)
BSS/AFP/GMR/0822 hrs