Furious Milan face major moment in title race with visit of in-form Juventus

ROME : Two of Italy’s most decorated clubs, AC Milan and Juventus, face off on Sunday in a game that could prove crucial for their respective ambitions of winning Serie A and qualifying for the Champions League.

Milan’s hopes of taking the league crown off rivals Inter were dealt a big blow when they fell to a surprising and controversial 2-1 defeat to lowly Spezia on Monday.

Referee Marco Serra failed to play advantage when Junior Messias curled home a stoppage-time goal, instead blowing for a foul to Milan two seconds before the ball hit the net, and the visitors then clinched victory in the 96th minute.

Serra and the Italian Referees’ Association later apologised for the mistake, but it left Stefano Pioli’s incensed side second and two points behind leaders Inter, who have a game in hand.

The Rossoneri’s title challenge now faces a critical fortnight, with in-form Juventus visiting San Siro in Milan's final game before a top-of-the-table Milan Derby clash with Inter.

Defeat could prove extremely damaging for Milan; it could leave them third behind Napoli, who are currently two points behind and host bottom side Salernitana on Sunday, and five adrift of Inter, who host struggling Venezia on Saturday.

Fifth-placed Juventus are on an eight-match unbeaten run in Serie A and sit one point behind Atalanta in the final Champions League qualification spot, a placing that coach Massimiliano Allegri has set as Juve's objective for the season.

“It’s not good for Milan, they face the worst possible opponents. Juve aren’t great to watch but they have become a team to fear recently, concrete and solid,” former Milan player Massimo Orlando told TMW.

DYBALA DOUBTS

Although Allegri’s side are in great form, they have also faced their