Juventus will face a critical challenge on Sunday evening as they travel to a resurgent Roma, whose impressive form has revived their hopes of securing a Champions League spot. With only eight matches left in Serie A, the top-four race is fierce, and Juve, currently in fifth place, are just one point behind the coveted Champions League spots.
The pressure is on Juventus, especially with the club’s recent financial difficulties and the hefty investment of over 200 million euros ($217 million) in squad reinforcements under former coach Thiago Motta. The competition for a Champions League spot is intense, with six teams still vying for just two positions.
Juve’s main obstacle is the high-flying Bologna, who are ahead of them in the standings and have won six consecutive matches, including a 3-0 victory over Empoli in the first leg of their Italian Cup semi-final. Bologna will face a tough challenge against title contenders Napoli on Monday, while Roma and Lazio are three points behind Juve in the race for the top four.
Roma, under manager Claudio Ranieri, have been one of the league’s standout teams, winning seven straight matches in Serie A. They have not lost in the league since before Christmas, picking up just six points from their last 14 fixtures. However, Juve will be the first of several tough opponents Roma will face in the final stretch of the season, with upcoming matches against Lazio, Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Fiorentina.
Despite losing star player Paulo Dybala for the rest of the season due to injury, Roma has maintained their momentum and will be determined to secure a place in the Champions League. For Juventus, this match could be a make-or-break moment in their campaign, as failure to secure a top-four finish would have serious consequences for the club’s finances and future prospects in Europe.
Inter Milan, who are currently leading Serie A with a three-point advantage over Napoli, will face a relatively easier opponent in Parma on Saturday before their crucial Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich. The team is also keeping an eye on the fitness of their captain, Lautaro Martinez, ahead of the pivotal match in Germany.
