Juventus and Milan face off in fight for second place

MILAN: Juventus v AC Milan is traditionally one of the biggest rivalries in Italian football, but this weekend’s Serie A meeting between the pair is a battle for the runners-up spot, with both managers unsure of their future.

Milan lost the derby on Monday, a defeat which allowed Inter Milan to clinch the league title with five games still to play. Now Milan, 17 points behind Inter, are left with only a fight to maintain second place to play for.

Juventus, in third and five points off Milan, do have a Coppa Italia final to look forward to, but it has proved to be a disappointing season for both clubs, and their coaches, Stefano Pioli and Massimiliano Allegri, could pay the price. Pioli led Milan to their first Scudetto in over a decade two seasons ago. That success gave him enough credit to overcome last season’s fourth-placed finish, but his position is now very uncertain after another trophyless campaign.

Milan have lost both games with Inter this season and were beaten at home by Juventus when they met in October, and another defeat to a main rival would only put further pressure on the coach.