Atalanta vs AC Milan preview - Pazzini demands maximum points

Posted Saturday, May 10, 2014 by PA

AC Milan make the short trip to Bergamo to meet Atalanta on Sunday knowing their hopes of playing in next season's Europa League remain in the balance.

The Rossoneri are eighth in the Serie A standings - two places and one point behind Torino, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

With two games remaining, Milan know they cannot make any mistakes if they wish to leapfrog Toro and finish sixth.

"We have a duty to clinch six points in our next two games," AC Milan striker Giampaolo Pazzini said. "We know that the game in Bergamo is very important for us.

"We really want to play in Europe next season but in order for that to happen we must hope that the teams ahead of us slip."

Last weekend's 1-0 win over city rivals Inter Milan was the Rossoneri's 15th win of the campaign, their sixth in their last seven games.

"It was important for us to win the derby," Pazzini said. ""We began the season very badly, now we are doing better."

The Rossoneri will not take Atalanta lightly though.

The Bergamaschi lost 1-0 at Juventus in the last round to drop to 11th place and will be determined to sign off with a victory in their final game of the season at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium.

"Atalanta will not grant us any favours," Pazzini said. "They have a good team and will be looking to give their fans a good performance."

Atalanta have another motivation to win on Sunday as they are just four points away from beating the club's 50-point record in Serie A set in the 2006-07 campaign.

Atalanta will not be at full strength with defenders Mario Yepes, Guglielmo Stendardo and Stefano Lucchini all out injured.

To complicate matters for coach Stefano Colantuono, midfielder Marcelo Estigarribia must serve a one-match ban.

Milan coach Clarence Seedorf will be without goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, who is suspended.

Marco Amelia will replace Abbiati in goal.