Battle for Europe reaches its peak – Milan, Atalanta and Juventus fight for UCL qualification

As the season draws to a close, the situation in Serie A is becoming increasingly tense. Today’s schedule features two clashes that could further shape the race for Champions League places. While Milan host Udinese at home, in a match that holds little real significance for the visitors, Atalanta and Juventus will go head-to-head in a direct battle to decide who moves a step closer to European competition.

AC Milan head into their clash with Udinese at San Siro this afternoon needing a response after yet another damaging defeat.

A loss to Napoli last time out saw the Rossoneri drop to third in Serie A and, for many, effectively out of the Scudetto race. Their hopes were dented further by a late goal at the Stadio Maradona, ending any realistic chance of catching the leaders.

A 3–2 win over Torino before the international break had briefly narrowed the gap to Inter to six points, but Milan now sit nine behind the summit with seven matches remaining.

Max Allegri’s side must now be careful not to lose sight of the top-four battle, with Como, Juventus and Roma all still in pursuit. While Milan have suffered three defeats in their last six league games after a remarkable 24-match unbeaten run, they have not lost back-to-back Serie A fixtures in over a year.

Recent head-to-head history also offers encouragement: since a 3–0 win in September, Milan have won their last four meetings with Udinese, scoring 11 and conceding just twice.

Allegri is expected to have a full squad available, with Matteo Gabbia recovered and in contention to start in defence. In attack, selection decisions loom large. Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao have been the most productive forwards with eight and nine league goals respectively, but Christopher Nkunku, Niclas Fullkrug and Santiago Gimenez are all pushing for minutes.

Pulisic, who scored twice against Udinese earlier in the season, is currently enduring a 13-game drought in Serie A—his longest dry spell in Italy. Elsewhere, captain Mike Maignan is set to reach 300 appearances in Europe’s top five leagues.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Serie A, a crucial top-four showdown sees Juventus travel to Atalanta, with both sides desperate for points in the Champions League race.

With seven rounds remaining, neither club can afford mistakes. Juventus arrive in Bergamo sitting fifth, just one point behind Como, following a mixed run under Luciano Spalletti. After dropping points against Sassuolo, they bounced back with a win over Genoa, extending their unbeaten streak to six matches, but consistency remains an issue.

Their away form is also a concern, with only one instance of back-to-back league wins on the road since Spalletti’s arrival. History suggests a tight contest: six of the last eight league meetings between Juventus and Atalanta have ended level, although Juve were beaten 3–0 in the Coppa Italia at this ground two months ago. Their last league meeting in September finished 1–1, extending Atalanta’s unbeaten run in the fixture to five Serie A games.

Atalanta, meanwhile, remain firmly in the European hunt and could move within a point of Juventus with victory. They arrive in strong form after a 3–0 win over Lecce, having lost just once in the league since the start of 2026 and collecting 31 points in that period—second only to Inter.

Spalletti is expected to rotate, with Weston McKennie suspended and Mattia Perin injured. Michele Di Gregorio is set to return in goal after his impact off the bench last time out. Dusan Vlahovic remains out with a calf issue, meaning Jonathan David or Kenan Yildiz could lead the line.

Atalanta boss Palladino has attacking options again, with Gianluca Scamacca back in training alongside top scorer Nikola Krstovic. The only absentee for the hosts is defender Isak Hien.

SERIE A ROUND 32

Friday

Roma - Pisa 3-0 (2-0)

/Malen 3, 43, 52/

Saturday

16.00: (2.25) Cagliari (3.25) Cremonese (3.60)

16.00: (1.92) Torino (3.40) Verona (4.20)

19.00: (1.45) Milan (4.40) Udinese (7.50)

21.45: (3.10) Atalanta (3.50) Juventus (2.40)

Sunday

13.30: (2.20) Genoa (3.25) Sassuolo (3.50)

16.00: (6.25) Parma (3.60) Napoli (1.62)

19.00: (1.83) Bologna (3.50) Lecce (4.50)

21.45: (3.30) Como (3.40) Inter (2.35)

Monday

21.45: (2.35) Fiorentina (3.30) Lazio (3.10)

***odds are subject to change***