Roma look to clinch title while Meringues hope for more cream

Roma look to clinch title while Meringues hope for more cream
Agence France Presse

Paris, February 2: The Italian first division’s winter championship will be won and lost this weekend with only leaders AS Roma and second-placed Juventus still in the running.

However, while they concentrate on a purely symbolic title Spanish giants Real Madrid, with 19 points from their last 21, will be intent on pursuing their seemingly remorseless pursuit of their 28th overall title and stretch their seven point lead in the Primera Liga.

The tight races in France and Germany which are developing into unpredictable rollercoaster rides with two wins or defeats resulting in a surge up the table or being plunged into a relegation battle see French leaders Lille travel to out-of-form Lens and German masters Schalke 04 to tough tackling energie Cottbus.The “winter champions” tag is a purely symbolic title bestowed by football-crazy Italians on the team that leads Serie A at the halfway point of the season.

But history shows it is often an accurate indicator of who will lift the prize that really matters with 11 of the past 18 “winter champions” going on to win the Scudetto.

So leaders as Roma, who visit Arrigo Sacchi-less Parma, will be keen to earn at very least the point they need to clinch the honorary crown. Defeat for Roma, however, and victory for Juventus at fourth-placed Atalanta would ensure the title would be shared.

Roma’s 3-0 victory over Napoli last weekend saw the leaders end their worst period of an otherwise outstanding season and Sunday’s trip to Parma represents a less stern test than it appeared before Sacchi’s astonishing resignation yesterday citing stress as the reason.

Parma’s 2-1 defeat to Udinese in their Italian Cup semi-final first leg tie through a last minute goal by Massimo Margiotta yesterday was their first in four matches but it is questionable how good the team’s morale will be on Sunday. Victory for Juve tomorrow night at Bergamo would put added pressure on Roma who play on Sunday but should Atalanta prevail it would put them back on the fringes of the title race.

Juve will have to do without injured French striker David Trezeguet but coach Carlo Ancelotti has plenty of options to partner in-form Filippo Inzaghi. While the winter title is beyond their reach defending champions Lazio are very much in the race for the real thing and host in-form Lecce at the Olympic Stadium.

Real Madrid have a sterling chance of increasing their lead as midtable occupants Malaga make the unenviable trip to the Santiago-Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday. Spanish international Raul was the hero last week, grabbing the game’s only goal over Valencia to lift the Meringues seven points clear of closest challengers and reigning champions Deportivo.

But while the formidable Real look set for victory, the battle for Primera Liga supremacy is far from over.