by AC Milan can complete their third consecutive Italian championship success in
Torino's Delle Alpi stadium on Saturday. With just four games to play, they have
a six-point lead over second-placed Juventus. If Milan beat Torino, then
Juventus would have to win in Naples on Sunday to keep the contest alive. Milan
coach Fabio Capello awaits the return of seven players involved in a midweek
Italian team training session in Florence before selecting his side. Frenchman
Marcel Desailly, Croat Zvonimir Boban and Montenegrin Dejan Savicevic are likely
to be his first choice foreign player trio. Torino, still involved in the battle
for UEFA Cup places next season, will be weakened by the absence of defender
Roberto Mussi and midfielder Enzo Francescoli, both injured. Milan asked for the
game to be brought forward to Saturday because of their Champions' League tie
away to Porto next Wednesday.
The three other Italian clubs still involved in European competition, Cagliari,
Internazionale and Parma have followed Milan's example. Cagliari, who face Inter
in an all-Italian UEFA Cup semifinal second leg in Milan on Tuesday, will be
without Brazilian Oliveira and midfielder Francesco Moriero for their Saturday
game at home to Reggiana. Inter, who have gained only three points in their last
nine league games, will drop Russian Igor Shalimov for their home game against
relegated Lecce on Friday. Parma, beaten 2-0 away to Reggiana in a midweek
league game, may be missing Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla for their home
game against AS Roma on Saturday. On Wednesday, Parma take a 1-2 deficit into
the second and home leg of their Cup Winners' Cup semifinal with Benfica.