MILAN, May 6: Juventus’ fall from grace was starkly highlighted last weekend as bitter rival Inter Milan wrested the Serie A title from its grip while the Bianconeri struggled to beat lowly Udinese. Only two late Cristiano Ronaldo goals rescued a 2-1 win and kept Juve’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League from fading dramatically.
A couple of hours earlier, Juventus had seen Inter clinch the league title, ending its nine-year reign at the top of Italian soccer. “An era is over, but we gave our all,” Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci said. “Today, however, another chapter begins and we must have the strength and hunger to take back what we held for nine years.”
The last four matches will be crucial not just for Juve’s pride but also for its chances of reaching Europe’s elite club competition, with the Bianconeri in real danger of missing out. Juventus on Monday faces AC Milan for a top-four finish and Champions League berth.
“We know that we have to qualify for the Champions League at all costs,” Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said. “We’ve got a team here they’re strong and want to fight to reach their targets,” he added. (AP)
