AC Milan host AS Roma at the San Siro on Sunday night, knowing only a win will be good enough to give them a chance of sixth place.
Sassuolo host Inter simultaneously, and they just need to match the result of the Rossoneri to secure Europa League qualification.
Even a draw at San Siro and a Neroverdi defeat would not be enough for Milan due to Sassuolo having a better head-to-head record, albeit on goal difference (they won 2-0 at home, while Milan won 2-1).
Roma have already locked up a place in the UEFA Champions League next season for the third consecutive season.
However, if they want to qualify directly to the group stage again they need to beat Milan and hope Napoli drop points against Frosinone.
Since taking over from Rudi Garcia, Luciano Spalletti has turned Roma into a machine. Roma haven’t lost a league match since falling 1-0 at Juventus on January 24.
Since sacking Sinisa Mihajlovic, the Diavolo have gone the exact opposite direction, throwing sixth place away in the process and allowing the chasing pack into it.
Draws against relegation threatened Carpi and Frosinone sandwiched a defeat at Serie B bound Hellas Verona in what has been an unimpressive start to Cristian Brocchi’s tenure.
The sides met earlier this year, and Milan compounded what was a poor run of form for the capital club. Antonio Rudiger gave the hosts a lead after seven minutes but Juraj Kucka levelled in the second half with a precise header.
AC Milan are expected to be without left-back Luca Antonelli, who has a leg injury that won’t be risked. M’Baye Niang is doubtful with an ankle injury, while Giacomo Bonaventura may miss out with a hip problem. Abate will miss out on the game due to an injury, and is a doubt for the cup final too.
Roma will be without midfielder William Vainqueur (contusion), and Seydou Keita is doubtful with an ankle issue.
Christian Abbiati will make his final appearance for Milan at San Siro, and is expected to start in place of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who will instead may start the Coppa Italia final.
The expected line-ups are below:
Milan (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Calabria, Mexes, Zapata, Romagnoli; Kucka, Locatelli, Poli; Honda; Adriano, Bacca.
Roma (4-3-3): Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; Nainggolan, Pjanic De Rossi; Perotti, Salah, El Shaarawy.
