MILAN (AP) - There is little to play for in the Italian league, with Juventus already crowned champion for a third straight year and Livorno, Bologna and Catania relegated to Serie B.
Champions League spots were also decided a while back, with Roma and Napoli joining Juventus in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
However, Juventus will be keen to cap a fantastic season by setting new records on Sunday, while Torino, Parma, AC Milan and Hellas Verona are all vying for the final Europa League spot.
Here are five things to know about this weekend’s matches:
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PIRLO EYES JUVE RECORD
Not content with winning a third straight Italian league title and setting a new Serie A points record, Juventus is eyeing another important marker when it hosts Cagliari in what would be an otherwise meaningless final match of the season.
Victory at home would see Juventus become the first club in Europe’s major leagues to earn 102 points in a season, beating the previous best of 100, set by Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“It’s an important goal,” key playmaker Andrea Pirlo said. “We have the opportunity to reach it and we won’t let it escape.”
Juventus has won all 18 of its matches at home this season and will be expecting to cap off a fantastic season by extending that perfect run.
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CONTE FAREWELL?
There will be a party atmosphere at Juventus Stadium on Sunday, with the presentation of the Serie A trophy before an open-top bus parade through the city.
As well as this year’s trophy, Juventus will take with it those from the past two years as well - highlighting its impressive achievement of three straight titles.
However, there will be an underlying air of concern among the fans, with speculation surrounding the future of the coach who won them the trophies.
Antonio Conte has yet to commit to Juventus, sparking fears that the match against Cagliari could also mark his farewell.
“In three years he has led us to win three league titles,” Italy and Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo said. “I hope it’s not our last match with him.”
Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta says the club will discuss Conte’s future next week.
Conte has a year remaining on his contract.
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A YOUNG MASTOUR
AC Milan could give 15-year-old Hachim Mastour his debut on Sunday, making him the club’s youngest player ever and the fifth youngest in Serie A.
Mastour was promoted to the first team this week and scored in training.
If Mastour plays against Sassuolo, he would eclipse the great Paolo Maldini, who made his debut aged 16 years and 208 days in 1985.
Mastour will be 15 years, 11 months and 3 days.
Amedeo Amadei holds the record after making his debut aged 15 years and 280 days in 1937. Gianni Rivera, Aristide Rossi and Giuseppe Campione were also younger than Mastour.
“I hope for the boy that those responsible are right about him,” Rivera said. “It is important to focus on youth, but if Milan uses youngsters more and more you will only see it as time passes.”
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SEEDORF OUT?
AC Milan still has a slight chance of qualifying for Europe next season, but even if it does, it is unlikely coach Clarence Seedorf will be in charge.
Seedorf signed a two-and-a-half year contract when he replaced Massimiliano Allegri in January and has won 10 out of 21 matches in charge.
“We will decide at the end of the season,” Milan President Silvio Berlusconi said. “I am not happy with Milan, like all the fans. The difference is I also put money in.”
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EUROPA LEAGUE BATTLE
Four teams are fighting for the last Europa League berth, heading into the final match of the season.
Torino is in pole position with 56 points, Parma has 55, while AC Milana and Hellas Verona both have 54.
Victory for Torino at Fiorentina would ensure qualification, while a draw would also suffice if Parma and Milan don’t win. Defeat would also send it through if Parma loses at home to already-relegated Livorno and the other two don’t win.
Parma needs to beat Livorno and hope that Torino doesn’t win in order to qualify, or that Torino loses and the other two fail to win.
Milan will play in Europe next season only if it beats Sassuolo, Torino loses and Parma doesn’t win.
Verona can only qualify if Torino loses and both Parma and Milan fail to win.
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