Only battle for Europe remains — Milan and Roma in the race for Champions League

Sunday could prove pivotal for two of Italy’s biggest clubs, as both AC Milan and AS Roma continue their fight for a place in next season’s Champions League.

At the San Siro, Milan welcome Atalanta in a high-pressure clash overshadowed by the recent Serie A title celebrations of city rivals Inter Milan. While Inter have already secured their place in Europe’s elite competition — and Napoli appear close to doing the same — the Rossoneri are suddenly looking nervously over their shoulders.

Juventus, Roma and Como are all applying pressure in the race for the remaining Champions League positions, and Milan’s recent form has done little to ease concerns. Max Allegri’s side have suffered five defeats in their last 10 league matches and are struggling badly in attack, scoring only once across their previous five Serie A outings.

What initially looked like a turning point — the emotional Derby della Madonnina victory over Inter — has instead been followed by another collapse in consistency. Last weekend’s 2–0 defeat to Sassuolo intensified criticism surrounding Allegri’s cautious tactical approach, leaving Milan with little margin for error heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

The challenge facing them is far from straightforward. Atalanta have become an uncomfortable opponent for the Rossoneri in recent years, avoiding defeat in the last six meetings between the sides and regularly producing strong performances at San Siro. Even so, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team have also lost momentum during the second half of the season, damaging their hopes of securing European qualification through the league.

A frustrating draw with Genoa last week left Atalanta trailing significantly in the standings, and their focus may now shift toward the possibility that seventh place could still lead to Conference League qualification depending on domestic cup results.

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Milan’s problems are compounded by important absences. Luka Modric has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following a serious facial injury, while Fikayo Tomori is suspended. Atalanta, meanwhile, travel to Milan close to full strength, with only Lorenzo Bernasconi unavailable.

Elsewhere, Roma head to Emilia-Romagna knowing another victory could move them into the Champions League places. The capital club fully capitalized on their rivals dropping points last weekend, thrashing Fiorentina 4–0 to continue their late-season surge.

That result left the Giallorossi just a point behind the top four and further strengthened the growing optimism surrounding Gian Piero Gasperini’s project in Rome. Following the departure of veteran director Claudio Ranieri, Gasperini has gained greater influence at the club and is attempting to recreate the success he enjoyed during his remarkable spell with Atalanta.

Roma’s attacking football has become increasingly impressive in recent weeks. Even when Donyell Malen failed to score against Fiorentina, the team still displayed fluid movement and sharp combinations in the final third. Roma have now found the net in 12 consecutive league matches and are averaging more than two goals per game during that stretch — a record bettered only by Inter.

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Still, their away form remains unpredictable. Roma have alternated strong performances with disappointing setbacks throughout the season, and several of their recent defeats have come on the road. Fortunately for the visitors, history heavily favors them against Parma, who have lost all three meetings with Roma since returning to Serie A.

Parma, however, are in a far calmer position than earlier in the campaign. Once dragged into the relegation fight, Carlos Cuesta’s side secured survival with back-to-back victories and now sit comfortably in mid-table with little pressure remaining.

Roma continue to deal with several injury problems. Evan Ferguson is out for the season, while Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Zaragoza and Artem Dovbyk are also unavailable. Parma’s squad is in far better shape, with only Benjamin Cremaschi and Matija Frigan sidelined ahead of Sunday’s encounter.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 36

Friday

Torino - Sassuolo 2-1 (0-0)

/Simeone 66, Pedersen 70 - Thorstvedt 51/

Saturday

Cagliari - Udinese 0-2 (0-0)

/Buksa 56, Gueye 90+6/

Lazio - Inter 0-3 (0-2)

/Lautaro 6, Sucic 39, Mkhitaryan 76/

Lecce - Juventus 0-1 (0-1)

/Vlahovic 1/

Sunday

13.30: (8.50) Verona (4.50) Como (1.40)

16.00: (1.72) Cremonese (3.85) Pisa (4.90)

16.00: (2.15) Fiorentina (3.35) Genoa (3.45)

19.00: (7.00) Parma (3.90) Roma (1.60)

21.45: (2.15) Milan (3.50) Atalanta (3.60)

Monday

21.45: (1.55) Napoli (4.00) Bologna (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***