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Simba SC head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has stated his players must play like men in order to pick up a meaningful result against Kaizer Chiefs in the Caf Champions League.

After going down 4-0 in last week's quarter-final first leg, Wekundu wa Msimbazi will need to score at least four goals in order to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Da Rosa admitted they are in a tight spot and must respond in a big way if they are to see off Amakhosi at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

“The challenge is big, the challenge is difficult but we believe nothing is impossible. The match we played on Saturday was a bad one for us and we were on a very bad day,” Da Rosa told reporters.

“We did too many mistakes; defensive mistakes specifically and now we are on the wall and if we play like men everything is possible on Saturday.

"We are very committed and determined and as I told the players we have to lift our attitude, be quicker movements, be aggressive and have high intensity.

“This is the Champions League and we must be committed and determined all through. I want to see that tomorrow from the beginning to the end.”

The tactician also emphasised the need to enjoy ball possession in areas Simba can hurt Chiefs, unlike how it was in the first-leg.

“We played well the other day and even the statistic show that because we had 66% ball possession and made more than 600 passes and we are going to play more directly because we need more opportunities to score,” he explained.

“We also need to be very balanced because we know Kaizer Chiefs can be very organised offensively.”

Despite the humiliation, Da Rosa is confident each and every player is buoyed for the home game.

“I am very happy with what I have seen in the training ground because I have seen dynamism and every player has shown me that they want to play. We are simply ready for this game knowing very well how it is a big match and how important it is,” he concluded.

At home, Simba have been very impressive in the Champions League this season as they are unbeaten.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has stated they will start Saturday's Caf Champions League quarter-final second leg against Simba SC with a clean slate irrespective of their first-leg advantage.

Despite carrying a 4-0 win from the first leg at FNB Stadium last weekend, Hunt has insisted Amakhosi will not be interested in the home result, and they will start the return leg at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on a fresh note and see what happens at the end.

“We have to start a new game on Saturday, we can’t consider ourselves through, we need to start the game properly and afresh and be prepared and then we can take it from there,” Hunt told Goal on Friday.

“It is going to be a much tougher game because they [Simba] are at home and all the conditions favour them but I don’t think we can think about that.

"We need to start the game on a clean slate, at 0-0 and then see where we can go from there.”

On whether they have injury concerns from the previous game, Hunt said: “No…no, we don’t have any injuries, it is pretty much the same squad that did duty in the first leg, it is the same squad of players we have.

“We all understand the game is not going to be easy, I know Simba will fight to get goals but we are all prepared.

"We know what to expect in the game, let us just get into the game and start from zero and see how far we can go.”

In an earlier interview, Hunt identified two players – winger Luis Miquissone and midfielder Clatous Chama - as Simba's dangermen ahead of the quarter-final clash.

“We must be at our best to stop Simba wingers, and especially that one from Mozambique [Miquissone] and Clatous [Chama] from Zambia, they are players we don’t have to give space to play their game, because if they are on top of their game, then we will be in trouble,” Hunt told Goal.

It will be Chiefs' second game in East Africa in the Caf Champions League having faced Rwandan club Kiyovu Sports in Kigali in March 1993. 

The Soweto giants emerged 4-2 winners in the first round first-leg match and they advanced to the second round after winning the tie 9-3 on aggregate. 

Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has hinted that his appointment as Germany's next national team boss is almost complete, indicating that it is only now a matter of the final few details.

The 56-year-old, who was assistant boss to outgoing figurehead Joachim Low between 2006 and 2014, is all but expected to succeed his former colleague when the latter steps down at the end of the rearranged Euro 2020 tournament this summer.

Ahead of his final game in charge of the Bavarian giants, who he led to a continental treble last term, against Augsburg on Saturday, Flick has implied that an announcement on his appointment is due imminently, amid loose speculation linking him to other European clubs.

What has been said?

"I've talked to the DFB and everyone knows how I feel about the national team," the ex-Hoffenheim boss told his pre-match press conference.

"But it is also the case that these things always have to be settled when it comes to the small things.

"[When everything is ready,] things can be announced quickly."

Flick on Bayern experience

The veteran coach also weighed in on his time as Niko Kovac's successor at Bayern, where he has claimed seven trophies, including two Bundesliga triumphs and the Champions League in just over a year-and-a-half in charge.

"I was a Bayern fan from childhood and will continue to be a Bayern fan," he added. "This is a club that is close to my heart [and] I will continue to cheer [for them]."

"[But] something new is coming. Life is always in flux, it is not that I regret anything."

The bigger picture

Since announcing his intention to quit Bayern at the end of the campaign amid heavy speculation he was poised to succeed Low, Flick has also been linked with other jobs across Europe, including Barcelona - who are speculated to be considering a split with Ronald Koeman - and Tottenham.

But his fate looks all but wrapped up with the national team, who he will look to help guide in the wake of a Euro 2020 campaign where the national will hope to bounce back from the horror-show of the Russia 2018 World Cup, when their defence spluttered at the first hurdle.

Further reading

The World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA) has revealed the date for the 2021 South African Football Freestyle Championships. 

The event is scheduled to kick-off -virtually- on the 3rd of June and is brought to you by the WFFA, in partnership with  Hit-Tec South Africa & Goal South Africa.

The WFFA has picked out 16 of the best football freestylers from around South Africa to battle it out for the PRIZED title.

There's a major cash price and Hi-Tec vouchers to be won and the overall winner will be crowned the official 2021 South African Freestyle Football Champion.

For more details follow Goal South Africa and keep an eye on these hashtags #ZAFreestyle #hitecsa #GoalZA. 

Diego Simeone says that Atletico Madrid will "give their lives" in order to be crowned champions of La Liga this weekend, as the title race goes down to the wire with Real Madrid.

The Rojiblancos, who have led the top flight for the majority of the 2020-21 campaign, head into the final matchday against Real Valladolid two points ahead of Zinedine Zidane's crosscity rivals and current holders.

Yet owing to Los Blancos' superior head-to-head record, any tie at the summit would see Atletico let the title slip through their fingers, while Sergio's hosts at Estadio Jose Zorrilla are fighting for their own survival against relegation - and Simeone fully expects both clubs to commit to a metaphorical life-or-death encounter.

What has been said?

"[It is] a final where two teams fight for different goals," the Argentine told his pre-game press conference ahead of the clash. "Both are going to give their lives to achieve [those goals].

"As we have been throughout the season, we will be immersed in solving our game. We will try to take it to where we can harm them.

"It has been a very long season in which we have all gone through many situations. This is La Liga, and we find ourselves fighting for the title."

Atletico's permutations explained

As Simeone looks to secure the second domestic league crown of his tenure at Wanda Metropolitano, he will know that victory against Valladolid is the only surefire way to secure a sophomore title.

Madrid, who will play Europa League-chasing Villarreal, face their own tough test, but a victory for Zidane's side would be their only way to stay in with a shout.

If Los Blancos win, then no other result but victory will hand Atletico the title - defeat would mean that Madrid pip them by a point, while a draw would still see the title go to Santiago Bernabeu, as they have a worse head-to-head record with their rivals, have lost their first encounter in December, with the spoils shared in the reverse.

Further Reading

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United need ‘two or three’ signings this summer if they have ambitions to challenge for the Premier League title next season. 

United have finished second this term and are 12 points behind champions Manchester City with one final league game to play against Wolves this weekend. 

The club have already begun work on their summer transfers and Solskjaer believes they need a number of fresh faces if they are to keep on improving. 

What was said? 

The United manager was asked about the club’s transfer plans for the coming window, saying: “We're planning as we normally do. It's not like end of season and let's see what we do, that's an ongoing process. 

“We are looking at the squad, the players who are going to stay, those who might be leaving and I hope that we're going to strengthen with a few.. two or three players that we definitely need to challenge higher up in the table.

“We're still too far behind to think it is just going to come by itself.”

Where do Man Utd want to strengthen? 

Centre-back, central midfield and right wing are all positions Solskjaer is keen to strengthen and the Norwegian refused to rule out a move for a striker despite Edinson Cavani agreeing an extension which will keep him at Old Trafford until the end of next season. 

There’s plenty of speculation about Harry Kane, with the striker looking to leave Tottenham and United long-term admirers, but they will face strong competition from Chelsea and Manchester City. 

What about outgoings? 

Sergio Romero is one player who is expected to leave in the summer and Juan Mata’s future is up in the air as well. 

Asked specifically about Mata, Solskjaer replied: "We're talking to Juan, we've had good dialogue, good discussions and that dialogue will continue. Let's see what he wants to do at the end of the season.

"He's such a top professional, a very good player. It's hard for me not to play him more than I have done. There have been circumstances this season, personal issues that made him less available but still he is a top player. That decision will be made after the season is finished.”

And pushed on other outgoings Solskjaer said: “We've had a few players on loan that might come back in, there is interest in a few others going out but you want to come out of the transfer window strengthened. 

“It might be we allow some players to go out and gain experience and come back stronger from it later on. Apart from that it's difficult to say, I can't see too many outgoings.”

Further reading

Jurgen Klopp refused to confirm whether Gini Wijnaldum is set to play his final game for Liverpool this weekend, but insisted the midfielder’s commitment to the Reds cannot be questioned.

Wijnaldum’s contract at Anfield expires next month, and there is no sign of the 30-year-old agreeing a renewal. 

Bayern Munich and Barcelona have been strongly linked with the Dutch international, who is likely to captain the Reds on Sunday in their crunch clash with Crystal Palace at home.

What’s been said?

Klopp refused to be drawn on Wijnaldum’s future at a press conference at Kirkby on Friday, telling reporters: “There’s nothing to say in this moment. We have a game to play. We will see after the final whistle on Sunday.”

Later, though, he was asked whether the idea of such an influential player - Wijnaldum has made 50 appearances in all competitions this season - heading into such an important game with uncertainty over his future was a concern.

He said: “It’s not the first time we had situations like this, and the boys always did well. All of the boys show incredible character. The boys are used to being in negotiations and stuff like this.

“Gini’s character is not in question. He’s a sensational guy, a sensational guy, and completely committed to the team and to the club until the last day.

“We will see when that will be.”

Long-serving staff member to leave

Klopp did confirm one departure from Liverpool, however, with long-serving kit man Graham Carter leaving the club.

Carter has been with the Reds’ first team since 1999, having previously worked for the club as a driver.

“The best kit man I ever had,” Klopp said. “The most experienced kit man I ever had, anyway! Father figure, grandfather figure. 

“We will say goodbye to him in the appropriate way.”

Liverpool fans back at Anfield

“I would like to use this opportunity to welcome them all,” he said. “You cannot imagine how much I am looking forward to seeing you all again, or at least 10,000 of you.

“But it is really important that with all the excitement we feel, we don’t lose patience after a minute or something, if it is not going in the right direction.

“We need the best support. Very positive, very encouraging, all these things. Like when we left each other, what feels like years ago.”

Klopp added: "It makes all the difference. We all need support through life. It means if it is a positive criticism, a boost or a gee up or whatever, we all need that – playing football especially because it's a game based on a lot of things but for sure on emotion as well. 

"That means we were alone. We knew they are there but we were alone. And getting 10,000 of them back is the best news I can imagine."

Further reading

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not believe Harry Maguire will be fit to play in the Europa League final against Villareal next week. 

Manchester United’s captain damaged ligaments in his ankle and has been wearing a protective boot and used crutches since. 

He was spotted without his crutches on Thursday night, which prompted hope from some supporters he would be available, but Solskjaer is not optimistic about his chances. 

What was said?

Solskjaer said: “He's walking but it's a long way from walking to running, so to be honest I don't think we'll see him in Gdansk, no. 

“I'm going to give him until Tuesday night, the last training session to see if he can try to be out there. Steadily but surely he's improving, but ligaments take time to heal.” 

What role can Maguire play? 

If Maguire isn’t passed fit to play, as Solskjaer expects, the United manager anticipates he still has a key role to play in motivating his teammates. 

Solskjaer said: “He's a very important person in the dressing room and a leader and I think before fans came in you all heard him from the stands, he wants the team to do well. 

“He's organising even from the stands which has been easy because it's been so quiet. He'll come and be in the dressing room and make sure everyone's ready for the final.”

Other team news

Scott McTominay and Fred are both expected to be available despite coming off with knocks in the draw against Fulham on Tuesday, but Anthony Martial is not expected to recover from a knee injury in time. Solskjaer said: “I know Anthony is not going to be available. Scott and Fred should be ok.”

Further reading

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman still hopes Lionel Messi will stay at the club next season.

The Argentine may have played his final game for the Catalan side after Koeman permitted him to miss training and sit out their upcoming clash with Eibar.

Messi wanted to leave Camp Nou last year and could still depart for free when his contract expires in the summer, but the club have not given up on convincing him to stay.   

What has been said?

"Hopefully he will continue here for many years," Koeman told reporters when asked if Messi will still be there next season. 

"He is a unique player. He is a 10 as a professional. If he does not stay, Barca will have to train other players and seek effectiveness in other footballers.

"Leo has scored 30 goals this season, with him the team has come much further."

Will Koeman remain in charge?

Despite Messi's impressive goal haul this season, Barca have dropped out of the title race in La Liga.

Koeman's team cannot finish higher than third in the table as they prepare for the final game of the season.

Pressure has been building on the Dutch coach as a result of their disappointing campaign and he admits he does not know if he will be sacked.

"I don't know [if I will stay]. Really, I don't know," he said.

"I haven't spoken to the president since lunch. We will speak after tomorrow's engagement.

"I have said from day one that I want to continue. We have to change things, but I want to continue. The last word will be for the president.”

Further reading

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has identified two players as Simba's SC's dangermen when the two sides clash in the return leg of their Caf Champions League quarter-final tie on Saturday.

Ahead of their return leg at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium which will decide which team proceeds to the semi-finals, Amakhosi coach Hunt has singled out midfielder Clatous Chama and winger Luis Miquissone as the players he is most wary of in the Msimbazi giants squad.

“We must be at our best to stop Simba wingers, and especially that one from Mozambique [Miquissone] and Clatous [Chama] from Zambia, they are players we don’t have to give space to play their game, because if they are on top of their game, then we will be in trouble,” Hunt told Goal when asked about his opponents after the team landed in Dar es Salaam.

Hunt also explained how they still have a mountain to climb to succeed in qualifying for the semi-finals, insisting Simba have always been a good side while playing at home, which they must strive to overcome.

“Simba are a team that has always played well when at home, they always believe they can do it and they have always succeeded to get positive results, and they also have their fans rallying behind them and that is also an extra weapon for them to do well, so we must be at our best to get a good result at Mkapa," he continued.

Chiefs won the first leg played at FNB Stadium 4-0, leaving the Msimbazi giants with a huge mountain to climb in the return leg, however, under Didier Gomes Da Rosa at Mkapa, Simba has not lost a single match.

They have beaten Egyptian giants Al Ahly 1-0 with Miquissone notching the all-important goal, they then hammered AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of the Congo 4-1 with Chama scoring two goals and setting up two and also beat Al-Merrikh of Sudan 3-0.

Chiefs have already landed in Tanzania with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune being named in the Soweto giants' traveling squad after missing the first leg due to suspension and injury.

However, influential attacker Khama Billiat is not in the traveling squad as he is yet to recover from an injury that he picked up in Chiefs' 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in a PSL match last month. 

Also missing from the traveling party is Dumisani Zuma after the 25-year-old attacker picked up an injury in the first-leg clash last weekend. 

It will be Chiefs' second game in East Africa in the Caf Champions League having faced Rwandan club Kiyovu Sports in Kigali in March 1993. 

The Soweto giants emerged 4-2 winners in the first round first-leg match and they advanced to the second round after winning the tie 9-3 on aggregate. 

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo has opened up on the continuous talk of Kaizer Chiefs being interested in midfielder Sipho Mbule.

Mbule has been in outstanding form this season and has five assists and four goals from 23 league games, while playing as a central midfielder.

He's already in his fourth season in the top flight and has 85 games under his belt. For months now there has been talk that he's on Chiefs' wanted list, and that he may be signed as soon as Amakhosi's transfer ban ends.

Tembo sees it as complimentary when any of his players are linked to some of South Africa's biggest clubs such as Chiefs, although he is also concerned about the potential distraction.

“It has always been the case with our team whereby most of our players are always targeted in terms of other teams wanting them,” Tembo told the Citizen.

“It also shows the quality that we have if most of the clubs are always looking to get players from, at the same time it is also difficult for the young players because that can also destabilize them and derail their progress because if you hear about big teams being mentioned alongside your name, it might also destruct him on the primary thing which is playing football.

Tembo, who played as a central defender for SuperSport back in his day, also spoke of the importance of mentoring the younger players.

“As a club we have to try and make sure that they are level headed and they keep their feet on the ground because in this industry you are always as good as your last game," he added.

"One minute people want you because you are playing well and the moment you are no longer performing they shift focus and go somewhere else. Consistency is very key, that is what I have been preaching to my youngsters.”

Memphis Depay has had a move to Barcelona mooted for several months, with the Lyon forward becoming a free agent in the summer, but the Dutchman says the Liga giants are not the only side in the running for his signature.

The highly-rated Netherlands international emerged as a target for Barca when Ronald Koeman took the managerial reins.

No deal was done then or in the winter window, but the 27-year-old will be taking on a new challenge at the end of the current campaign as his contract in France runs down.

What has been said?

With Depay mulling over his options, the former Manchester United winger told L'Equipe: "Barcelona has shown interest in me, but they are not the only ones who have been interested. At the moment, nothing has been done with any team."

When will a decision be made?

Depay is in no rush to make a call on where he will be playing in 2021-22, with the domestic campaign to finish in Ligue 1 before attention turns to international matters at this summer's European Championship.

"First I want to focus on the Euro," Depay said. "The decision regarding my future deserves a time of reflection. I would not have liked not to end my contract at Lyon. Right now I enjoy my freedom and football."

Why is Depay in demand?

A testing spell at Manchester United under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho saw Depay lose his love of the game, but his spark has been rediscovered in France.

Across five seasons with Lyon, the Dutch star has registered 76 goals and 53 assists in 177 appearances.

"It [Lyon] will be in my heart, a part of my life. I thought about adding a tattoo: a souvenir or a date. Coming here was a great decision," Depay added. "People would say to me: ‘Why are you leaving Manchester United? A new coach will arrive, you in the biggest club in the world.’ 

"In their place, I would have been sad to see a player wasting good years by staying at a big club and playing too little. There, I lost my joy, and my football. Here, I found them."

Further reading

Going into the final round of games in Serie A, the majority of teams are already in relaxed states with their fate largely decided, save for the battle for the Champions League spots which has gone down to the wire.

Critics often accuse teams who have nothing to play for of already ‘being on the beach’ in these circumstances, but the same probably can’t be said for Crotone who have picked up four points from their last six, regardless of relegation from Italy’s top division.

Simy probably epitomises his team’s desire to bow out on a high after his late, late equaliser against Benevento in the penultimate gameweek of the season.

The Nigerian’s leveller for the 10-man visitors saw the game end 1-1 and that stalemate was to have damaging ramifications for the hosts, whose exit from the big time was confirmed after Torino eked out a goalless draw at Lazio on Tuesday, rendering the final day encounter between Benevento and the Turin outfit pointless.

After going three games without finding the back of the net, it looked like the West African was just going to miss out on equalling last year’s 20-goal tally in Serie B, but his poacher’s effort to tuck away Pedro Pereira’s low cut-back saw him match his personal best return in club football.

The late leveller means Simy’s now joined the illustrious set of players to have hit 20 goals this term and he could go one better by surpassing his best-ever return from 2019/20.

The aforementioned five-player group also includes Cristiano Ronaldo (29) Romelu Lukaku (23), Luis Muriel (22), Dusan Vlahovic (21) and Ciro Immobile (20), further illustrating the Nigerian’s year-long brilliance in front of goal.

Observers may try to water down his return, owing to the volume of penalties (eight), ignoring that all but Muriel (two) have scored a high number of spot-kicks as well — Ronaldo, Lukaku and Vlahovic have converted six penalties each while Immobile has dispatched four from 12 yards.

Simy’s goals account for 44.4 percent of Crotone’s total of 45, which outdoes the Juventus star’s 39.7 percent, the Belgian’s 27 percent, Muriel’s 22 percent and Immobile’s 32.8 percent for the Old Lady, Inter Milan, Atalanta and Lazio respectively.

Only the Fiorentina youngster’s 44.7 percent of his team’s goals comes closest to the West African, and the two indispensable frontmen interestingly face off this weekend at Stadio Ezio Scida.

Vlahovic may be in awesome form right now, but his team continue to languish in the bottom half of the table.

The Viola have won two of their last eight games, with three defeats and as many draws, leaving them in 13th spot, four places below where they ended in 19/20. Clean sheets have been at a premium for the Tuscany outfit, too, with only two shut-outs in their last 14 games, a statistic that ought to give Simy hope of setting a new career-high on Saturday.

For someone who managed 10 goals combined in two previous Serie A campaigns, scoring double that amount in one season is worthy of recognition and it’s no surprise the forward believes he’s enjoying the best moment of his career.

“I’ve been in Italy for five years, the toughest league in the world for a striker. Crotone is a fantastic place, the people and club have given me everything and this is the best moment of my career,” the 29-year-old remarked after last week’s equaliser vs Benevento. “I think now the time has come to give even more.”

While Simy’s desire to remain in Calabria is taken, it remains to be seen if top flight teams will test the striker’s resolve, particularly after an amazing individual year.

Staying with the Pythagoreans could have consequences for his Super Eagles future, especially after Gernot Rohr’s bizarre assessment of the marksman recently.

Cosmi, though, values the striker and the Crotone boss praised his team’s resilience against Benevento having had Vladimir Golemic sent off after 24 minutes.

“A goal down, a man down for over an hour, nobody would’ve been surprised if we had given up, but we didn’t,” the pleased 63-year-old stated post-match. “We stayed in the game, we kept going and the substitutes did a great job in setting up the equaliser that had seemed impossible.”

“In my view, Simy is the player you saw today. He is a ruthless poacher in the box, but he can also really help the team and work for them.

"His penalties are impeccable," he added. "He is a player who in my view belongs in Serie A.

“It’ll all depend on where he goes and how he will be used in future, but I can say as his coach that he is an extraordinary young man and that is what every coach wants to know.”

He has certainly outgrown Serie B and after proving that he can cut the mustard in the big time, Simy definitely deserves top flight football. Without a doubt, even more observers will rave about the Crotone man if he reaches another milestone on Saturday.

Bangladesh Premier League champions Basundhara Kings have submitted a request to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to initiate talks with AFC (Asian Football Confederation) to further postpone the group stage fixtures of Group D which are scheduled to start from June 30, as the new dates clash with their domestic commitments.

They want the matches to be held after completion of the domestic league on August 2.

"Bashundhara Kings want to respect [the Bangladesh Premier League's] fixtures published by Bangladesh Football Federation as it was published way ahead of new dates given by AFC, which has also changed their original official calendar," a Bashundhara Kings statement read.

"We request BFF to inform AFC to reschedule the group stage fixtures after 2 August, 2021 when Bangladesh Premier League will be fully completed. This will help BFF to complete their predetermined league schedule in time to help all clubs of Bangladesh football."

At the same time, it believed that BFF is preparing a bid to host the South Asian Zone games sticking to the new schedule provided by AFC. Previously, they had submitted the same bid but Maldives won the hosting rights. 

However, AFC was forced to reschedule the dates given the breach of Covid-19 protocols by Indian club Bengaluru FC who were set to play the play-off game against Eagles FC for the last remaining spot in the group. 

With the incident angering the Maldives government, AFC had to postpone the matches.

It was a blessing for ATK Mohun Bagan as if the matches were held in May, they would have missed the services of several key foreign players including talisman Roy Krishna and his partner-in-crime David Williams. Moreover, after a few Bengaluru FC personnel breached the Covid-19 protocol in Maldives, sports minister Ahmed Mahloof requested the club to leave the country leaving AFC with no option but to postpone the games. 

According to the new dates, Bengaluru will play their playoff match on May 27 and the group stage fixtures will be held on June 30, July 2, and July 6. 

After winning nine back-to-back Serie A titles, for the first time in this decade will Juventus go into the final day of their domestic league campaign needing to seal their place in the Champions League.

More so, since his first appearance in the Champions League with Sporting Lisbon in the 2002-03 season, Cristiano Ronaldo has also been part of a team who has finished among the top four for the past 17 straight years - may it be Manchester United, Real Madrid or Juventus.

Meanwhile, AC Milan haven't made it to Europe's top club competition for as long as eight years since the 2013-14 season and Napoli would be looking to get past the Round of 16 of the competition for the first time should they finish in the top four in this season's Serie A.

While Bologna await Juventus, and third-place Napoli face Verona, Milan finish up against second-place Atalanta - a side who have secured their Champions League slot.
 

Contents

Serie A standings (top eight)

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Can Juve qualify for the Champions League?

With Lazio left to play in the UEFA Conference League Qualifiers after dropping points thrice in their last four outings, Juventus have done themselves a huge favour in the run for a top-four spot as the Old Lady defeated champions Inter 3-2 at the Allianz Stadium last Saturday.

Though currently fifth, Andrea Pirlo's side will have their hopes high following AC Milan's goalless against Cagliari as the Rossoneri are yet to fulfil their Champions League fate for next season, while Napoli's 2-0 win at Fiorentina put Gennaro Gattuso's men on equal footing but with an inferior head-to-head record to Stefano Pioli's outfit at the third spot.

In order to finish in the top four, Juventus will have no option but to win at Bologna besides requiring at least one of Milan or Napoli to drop points on the final matchday.

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Where to watch or stream the Serie A

The Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) have the rights to show Serie A matches in India.

Matches will also be available on streaming mobile application SonyLIV, allowing supporters to watch multiple games simultaneously and catch the replay of matches. 

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Serie A fixtures

Matchday 38

*All Serie A matches may be watched online on SonyLIV.

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