jeudi 19 mai 2011

PREVIEW: Udinese and Lazio fight for last Champions League berth

Udinese and Lazio vie for the last of four Champions League berths in the Serie A season finale on Sunday.

The Udine side sit two points clear of Lazio and need one point from a home game with champions AC Milan to retain fourth place and a place in the qualifying round for the elite event.

Lazio must beat Lecce and hope for a slip-up from Udinese as drawing level on points will not be enough because of their inferior goal-difference.

Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin recalled the thrilling 4-4 draw of his side in Milan in January, but doesn't expect the Devils to be complacent after securing their 18th title two weeks ago.

"My son reminded me that after that game the Milanese side has only conceded seven goals," Guidolin said. "In the second half of the season they clinched more points than all the other teams.

"And let me add a little, important detail: they are superior to us."

But Udinese are level with Milan on 65 goals as the second best attack in the league, with only Inter Milan better on 66.

Udiense are also certain to have Antonio Di Natale as Serie A top scorer for a second straight season.

The veteran striker has scored 28 goals, twice as many as Milan's Alexandre Pato and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and cannot be reached by Edinson Cavani, who scored 26 goals but is suspended for Napoli.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito said he feels that his side deserves fourth place for having always been in the top tiers since the start of the season.

"Lazio will have to win anyway at Lecce," he said. "Milan will play a great game at the Friuli and maybe will allow us to clinch a deserved qualification."

If Lazio fail, they will play in the Europa League alongside Palermo, who secured their place by reaching the Italian Cup final with Inter Milan, who play Champions League as second-placed team.

Roma are set to clinch the third available berth when they welcome relegated Sampdoria. They are three points clear of Juventus, who take on third-placed Napoli.

Inter wrap up the season at home to Catania, bottom side Bari play away at Bologna, while relegated Brescia welcome Fiorentina.

Cagliari host Parma, Palermo play Chievo and Genoa take on Cesena, who, alongside Lecce, managed to remain in the top flight after last year's promotion.

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