Juventus close in on 29th title

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

MILAN, May 5 (Reuters) Juventus can win their 29th Italian league title on Sunday if they beat Palermo and rivals AC Milan fail to win away to Parma.

Fabio Capello's Juventus have a three-point lead with two games remaining and with Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro recovered from injury, they should be at full strength for the game against the Sicilians.

Juve had enjoyed a comfortable 10-point lead over Milan but a run of five straight draws re-opened the race for the 'scudetto'.

Last week's 3-0 victory over Siena restored Juve's confidence however and left Milan relying on a slip-up in the final two weeks.

Juve's final match is away to Reggina while Milan have, on paper, a tougher task at home to AS Roma.

Juventus, who will be confident against mid-table Palermo, have been observing a press ban in recent weeks and are unlikely to discuss their season until the destination of the title is decided.

Milan have been keen to play down their chances, especially since the disappointment of their exit to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but Czech wing back Marek Jankulovski believes Carlo Ancelotti's team still have a chance.

''Juve are not going through a good spell and need to win to keep their advantage over us,'' he said.

''We just need to focus on winning our games and then to see what they do. I don't see why we shouldn't believe.'' With the three relegation places all determined -- Treviso, Lecce and Messina already down to Serie B for next season -- the main focus, apart from the title race, is on European qualification.

Inter Milan have secured third place and a spot in the qualifying round for next season's Champions League but fourth spot, which brings the same reward, is still up for grabs, Fiorentina occupy fourth place with a two-point advantage over AS Roma and are at home to Reggina on Sunday while their rivals face Treviso.

Reuters PDS DB0959

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