The race for Champions League qualification in Serie A is heating up, with Bologna emerging as surprise contenders for a top-four finish. Thiago Motta’s men travel to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Friday, aiming to extend their unbeaten away run to seven matches against a struggling Torino side.
Ivan Juric’s Torino have hit a rough patch, failing to score in their last three games and winless in four. Their hopes of securing European football have faded, but they will be determined to halt their slump and play spoilers against one of the league’s in-form teams.
The race for the Serie A title and Champions League qualification spots took another dramatic turn this weekend, as AC Milan and Napoli faced unexpected obstacles in their respective matches.
At the Mapei Stadium, Milan found themselves in a precarious situation early on, with Sassuolo racing to a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes. Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Laurienté stunned the Rossoneri with their quick-fire strikes, leaving the visitors reeling.
The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona plays host to a crucial Serie A clash on Sunday, as Napoli welcome relegation-threatened Frosinone to Naples. The hosts are pushing for a European berth, while the visitors are embroiled in a dogfight to preserve their top-flight status.
For Napoli, this represents an excellent opportunity to consolidate their position in the upper echelons of the Italian top tier. Currently occupying seventh spot, they trail the Champions League places by just five points with seven matches remaining.
The Dacia Arena in Udine will host a Serie A clash between two of the league’s most frequent draw merchants on Saturday, as Udinese welcome Torino. While the home side shocked Lazio in their previous outing, the visitors are faltering in their bid for European qualification.
Udinese have won just four of their 28 league matches this season, but each of those victories has come against formidable opposition. Gabriele Cioffi’s men have triumphed over Juventus, AC Milan, Bologna and Lazio – the latter in a 2-1 success last Monday that prompted Maurizio Sarri’s sacking as Biancocelesti boss.
The future of Napoli’s breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been plunged into doubt after his agent’s bombshell comments about the Georgian winger’s potential exit.
Speaking to the media, Kvaratskhelia’s representative did little to quell the mounting transfer speculation, bluntly stating: “He will leave” if an attractive offer arrives for his client’s services.
The 22-year-old has taken Serie A by storm this season after joining from Georgian side Dinamo Batumi last summer.
