MILAN (AP) – As the battle for Champions League qualification continues into the final days of Serie A, AC Milan will turn their attention to a masked superhero.
Among Europe’s elite teams, four teams still have hope of securing the remaining two qualifying spots.
Milan and Roma occupy pole position, occupying third and fourth place. They are level on points, two ahead of Como and Juventus.
Milan have Cagliari at home, but Cagliari have little to play for other than pride. Luka Modric There is a possibility of sudden recovery within a month after receiving treatment. Fractured cheekbone surgery.
Modric’s injury in the 0-0 draw with Juventus was expected to be the end of his season, but the midfielder has returned to training wearing a special mask and appears ready to help his team-mates in the final push.
Modric, 40, was one of Milan’s best players this season. Before the injury, he started 32 of 34 league games and was on the bench just once.
major matches
All four matches involving teams competing for Champions League qualification will kick off at the same time on Sunday night.
Roma will travel to Hellas Verona, who have already been relegated, while Juventus will head across town to Turin for the derby.
Como will likely be the most difficult game as Cesc Fabregas’ side visit Cremonese, who remain hopeful of avoiding relegation.
They are one point below Lecce, who host Genoa.
If Como qualify for the Champions League, it would be an incredible achievement for his former team. play in the 4th division Exactly 7 years ago.
Serie A champions Inter Milan and naples They have already secured Champions League football for next season.
Featured players
Christian Pulisic will be hoping to end his goal drought in his final club game before his home World Cup.
Pulisic returns from injury He played the final 15 minutes of last weekend’s 2-1 win over Genoa and immediately helped score the decisive goal.
However, the American international extended his streak of scoreless league games since December 28 to 18 games.
Activity suspended
Roma midfielder Wesley is suspended after receiving a red card in last weekend’s derby against Lazio.
Wesley was sent off following a scuffle, during which he was seen exchanging punches with Lazio midfielder Nicolo Lobella, and will miss Saturday’s game against Pisa after receiving a red card as well.
Roma will also be without defender Evan Ndicka, who tore his hamstring against Lazio, while Lorenzo Pellegrini and Man Kone are doubts with injuries.
Como are struggling with the fitness of one of their top scorers, Nico Paz, who is suffering from a knee problem.
off the field
Napoli’s home game against Udinese is likely to be Antonio Conte’s last game as manager.
Conte is expected to say goodbye He congratulated the team and fans at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona after two years in charge, leading Napoli to the league title last year.
Conte, 56, is one of the leading candidates to become Italy’s national team coach, having first managed from 2014 to 2016 before returning to the Azzurri.
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