Serie A preview: Juve, Milan face crunch games

Juventus could wrap up the Serie A title this weekend with a win against Cagliari – if second-placed AC Milan lose their derby with Inter.

The current league-leaders only managed a 1-1 draw against Lecce on Wednesday after an error from goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in the 85th minute gifted Lecce an equaliser.

Juve, who are unbeaten in the league in 2011/12, need to regroup against Cagliari on Sunday to ensure Milan do not overtake them at the top of the table.

Antonio Conte’s side are on 78 points, with Milan just one behind.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani could not believe Juve let them move within a point of the top of the table.

“I was just walking around in the changing rooms and I didn’t believe it,” Galliani said.

“I thought it was a joke that Lecce had equalised, but it was true.”

AC Milan are up against city rivals Inter Milan on Sunday knowing that a loss could hand Juventus their first legitimate title since 2002/03.

At the other end of the table, Lecce, on the back of their late draw with Juventus, can move to the verge of Serie A-survival with a win on Saturday against Fiorentina.

Lecce are currently in 18th position on the Serie A table with two games to go, just three points behind 17th-placed Genoa, who are outside the relegation zone.

If Lecce defeat Fiorentina and Genoa lose to fourth-placed Udinese on Sunday, the two sides will swap spots.

Lecce coach Serse Cosmi wanted his side’s game to be moved to Sunday to be played at the same time as Udinese’s clash with Genoa.

“We want it changed because we want the championship to be decided in the right manner,” Cosmi said.

But on Thursday, Serie A officials rejected the request.

Napoli can further strengthen their hold on Italy’s third Champions League place with a victory in Bologna on Sunday.

But Udinese and Lazio, who travel to Atalanta, are ready to pounce if Napoli fail to win.

In other matches on Sunday, Siena host Parma, Novara play Cesena and Chievo take on Palermo, while on Saturday Roma are up against Catania.