(Reuters) – Juventus’ hopes of winning the Serie A title this season are fading fast, as Inter Milan look set to secure the Scudetto. A defeat against Lazio in their upcoming match could further jeopardize Juventus’ chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
During the previous season, Juventus faced setbacks that affected their European football aspirations. They were docked 10 points due to an issue related to player transfers, causing them to drop from the top four to seventh place. Additionally, they were denied a spot in the Europa Conference League for breaching UEFA’s Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play regulations.
Now, the main concern for Juventus is their significant decline in form, which places their participation in the Champions League next season at risk. Just a few months ago, securing a spot in the competition seemed like a certainty for the team.
In January, Juventus briefly held the top spot in the league while Inter Milan was focused on winning the Super Cup. However, their recent poor performance has seen them fall 17 points behind the league leaders, effectively ending their title hopes.
A string of disappointing results, including just one win in their last eight league matches, has not only dashed Juventus’ title chances but also pushed them down to third place. They urgently need to reverse their fortunes to avoid slipping further down the table.
AC Milan has capitalized on Juventus’ struggles, gaining 10 points to claim the second spot with a three-point lead. Without a return to winning ways, Juventus risks getting overtaken by teams like Bologna and AS Roma, who are within striking distance.
Roma, under new manager Daniele De Rossi, has only lost one league game to Inter and won seven out of nine matches. Bologna has also been in good form, winning seven out of their last eight games, making them both strong contenders to close the gap on Juventus.
When Juventus faces Lazio this weekend, they will be up against a team under new management with Igor Tudor at the helm following Maurizio Sarri’s departure. Tudor, a former Juventus player and assistant manager in 2020, will aim to start his tenure on a high note against his old club, with Juventus missing the suspended Dusan Vlahovic.
Meanwhile, AC Milan will play Fiorentina in an emotionally charged match following the passing of their GM Joe Barone. Defending champions Napoli, led by Francesco Calzona, will strive to extend their unbeaten league run as they take on Atalanta, who currently hold the sixth position in the league standings.
Despite their 10-game winning streak ending in a draw against Napoli, Inter Milan remains in a strong position in the title race. They will face Empoli on Monday, while Bologna and Roma will have their own matches against Salernitana and Lecce, respectively.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Toby Davis)
