A stroll through Italy's Serie A
by Richard Whittle, SerieA.tv
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Javier Zanetti is confident Inter are ready to clinch the league title on Sunday after reaching the Italian Cup final.
The captain, who was instrumental in the semi-final win at Lazio on Wednesday, claimed that the Nerazzurri could now focus all their energy on the Game Day 37 match against Siena.
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A victory against the Tuscans at the San Siro will ensure the league crown no matter how second-placed AS Roma get on against Atalanta.
He said: "The first match to face was this against Lazio and now we can think about Siena.
"We must win the scudetto for us, for the club and for the fans and I believe we've shown at the Olympic stadium we have what it takes to win this title."
Coach Roberto Mancini and defender Marco Materazzi were ordered off as tempers frayed in a tense second-half, but the Argentina international admitted such passion was an acceptable part of the game.
He said: "We're delighted to be in the final. The tension can happen, while what's important is that the match is played in a sporting manner and that was true till the final whistle."
In their fourth consecutive final, last year's runners-up will face the winners of the second semi-final between AS Roma and Catania.
Trez and Del Piero Euro hope
David Trezeguet believes that both he and Alessandro Del Piero should be displaying their talents in the European Championship finals this summer.
The Juventus pair have been the most prolific attacking partnership in Serie A this season, amassing 37 goals between them so far.
The French star said: "Myself and Ale have nothing to prove to anyone.
"With what we have been doing on the pitch this season we deserve to go to Euro 2008.
"Unfortunately, our international coaches have had a different idea lately but I don't want to go if I am only going to play a bit part as happened at the last World Cup."
However, Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has been left with a selection headache concerning the Bianconeri captain Del Piero following another veteran's stunning return to form.
Filippo Inzaghi could yet be the surprise addition after netting nine goals in the last five games for AC Milan, with Genoa's Marco Borriello, who is the joint-leading scorer in Serie A with Trezeguet on 19 goals, regarded by many as ideal back-up for Luca Toni.
Bonera backs AC Milan drive
Daniele Bonera is looking to take AC Milan's derby momentum into this weekend's game at Napoli.
The Rossoneri moved ahead of Fiorentina and into fourth place following their 2-1 win over Inter last Sunday.
The defender believes that the trip to the San Paolo stadium offers a golden opportunity for coach Carlo Ancelotti's side to cement the final Champions League berth with just one fixture remaining after that.
He said: "If we take that desire and belief from the derby down to Naples then we can come away with a positive result.
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Sun., May 18, 9 a.m. (LIVE) -
Parma vs. Inter Milan
Sun., May 18, 11 a.m. -
Catania vs. AS Roma
Sun., May 18, 1 p.m. -
AC Milan vs. Udinese
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"The derby victory has given us a big lift as we have reached our objective of fourth place and we need to keep this enthusiasm going for Napoli and then the final game against Udinese."
For his part, the 26-year-old has taken advantage of the recent injury to Massimo Oddo to claim the right-back position as his own ahead of the veteran Brazilian Marcos Cafu.
The Italy international has also been employed in centre of defence but maintained that with so many stars vying for a starting place, versatility was the name of the game.
He added: "You have to take your chance when it occurs here and I have been fortunate enough to put in some good performances.
"I am a Milan fan and it's a great feeling to wear the red and black shirt."
Mazzarri eyes Euro spot
Walter Mazzarri wants Sampdoria to earn their place in European football next year after dropping out of the UEFA Cup zone.
The Blucerchiati have fallen to seventh place behind Udinese and risk missing out on Europe if Catania defeat AS Roma to reach the Italian Cup final to claim a UEFA Cup place.
The 47-year-old coach said: "I must never think about what other teams do. I have a good feeling and I want to concentrate on the championship to reclaim what destiny took from us."
Defeat at home to the Giallorossi on Game Day 36 ended Samp's Champions League ambitions and made the UEFA Cup the priority in the final two games of the season.
Ahead of the Game Day 37 fixture at Palermo, the former Reggina tactician has taken heart from his team's performance against the second-place side despite losing 3-0.
He said: "A match like this can happen once every three or four years. It's unbelievable we lost, but if we play the same in the last two matches then it can't finish badly."
Richard Whittle is the chief writer and match commentator for SerieA.TV and contributes Italian soccer news for FoxSoccer.com.
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