A stroll through Italy's Serie A
by Richard Whittle, SerieA.tv
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Roberto Mancini is putting his trust in teenage sensation Mario Balotelli as Inter look to win the title on the final day.
Super Mario is set to play alongside Cesar supporting Julio Cruz in attack as the Nerazzurri travel to Parma in the knowledge that a win over the Ducali will seal a successful defence of the league crown.
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Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been training all week, the Swedish superstar seems set to start on the bench after missing the last six matches through injury.
Further good news from the Inter camp is that captain Javier Zanetti has shaken off a muscle strain and is sure to lead out the San Siro giants at the Tardini stadium.
However, Brazilian full back Maxwell has suffered an attack of flu and may join Estebian Cambiasso on the sidelines.
AS Roma keep the faith
Luciano Spalletti is set to name an unchanged side for AS Roma's title decider at Catania.
The Giallorossi are just a point behind leaders Inter going into the final day after their 2-1 win over Atalanta last week and the coach is expected to field the same starting eleven.
Although Juan has recovered from a knee injury, the 49-year-old looks likely to keep faith with the in-form Christian Panucci, who scored the opening goal last weekend, as central defensive partner to Philippe Mexes.
The French player has also shaken off a knee problem while Ludovic Giuly, Mirko Vucinic and goalkeeper Alexander Doni have all recovered from knocks, leaving only long-term injury victims Francesco Totti and Rodrigo Taddei sidelined.
However, the veteran Panucci admitted that the championship was more Inter's to throw away in their game at Parma but added: "We will have to show our character to come away from Catania with a result but we will be giving it everything."
Parma plan Inter upset
Parma have warned Inter not to underestimate them going into Sunday's season finale.
The Gialloblu's hopes of remaining in Serie A are hanging in the balance and they know that they must defeat the league leaders to stand any chance of survival.
While the Nerazzurri are regarded as red-hot favourites to finally land the title, the Tardini outfit feel they can spring a major shock on the last day.
Club president Tommaso Ghirardi believes that defender Fernando Couto's experience will be crucial over what promises to be a tension-filled ninety minutes, having been in the Lazio side that destroyed the San Siro giant's title hopes in 2002.
He said: "He has a great deal of experience and of course was playing for Lazio against Inter on May 5, 2002 so I am focusing on him being man of the match."
The veteran, who was sent-off when the two sides met earlier in the season, is just returning from a four-game suspension which Ghirardi feels is another bonus as the 38-year-old will be raring to go.
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He added: "He is coming back after a long ban, he is fresh and rested and will really make a difference."
Buffon to sit out final game
Gianluigi Buffon is expected to miss out on making his 500th appearance on the final day of the season.
Juventus travel to Sampdoria on Saturday with third place already secured so Claudio Ranieri can afford to ring the changes.
With the regular number one suffering from a long-term back problem, reserve goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi will take over between the posts.
The coach will also be without the injured Vincenzo Iaquinta and the suspended Mauro Camoranesi, Zdenek Grygera and Antonio Nocerino.
Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet will lead the attack as they chase the Serie A top goalscorer crown. The pair are on 19 goals apiece along with Marco Borriello.
The game will also offer Del Piero and Samp's Antonio Cassano the chance to convince coach Roberto Donadoni to name them in Italy's UEFA EURO 2008 squad, which will be announced on Tuesday.
Richard Whittle is the chief writer and match commentator for SerieA.TV and contributes Italian soccer news for FoxSoccer.com.
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