Alessandro Del Piero eyes winning finale

Alessandro Del Piero eyes winning finale

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero has told his team-mates to win the final two matches of the season in order to break into the Europa League.

As they near the end of a troubled season, Juve sit in seventh place, one point behind Napoli and the final European place.

But if they beat Parma and then AC Milan on the final day of the season, Del Piero believes they can pip the Naples club, who face a tough trip to Champions League chasing Sampdoria on the final day.

Winning in Milan would seem unlikely given Juve's form this season, but for now Del Piero is focusing only on Parma, and the chance to give fans something to cheer about in their final home match.

"I am training well in anticipation of the final match in front of our home fans against Parma, a moment that every season has special meaning and even in a season like this can give us special satisfaction," the veteran striker told his own website, www.alessandrodelpiero.com.

"It is important not just to close the season well, but it is fundamental for us if we are going to qualify for Europe.

"To give our fans a win against Parma, and then face the prestige of a challenge like that against Milan, we are all focused on giving our best in the last two games."

Parma, who occupy 11th place, can still rise as high as eighth and there is plenty to play for in the minds of several individuals in the team as they try to secure their futures.

Goalkeeper Antonio Mirante has been in excellent form all season for the club, but does not know where he will be as he prepares to face the club who co-own him, along with Sampdoria.

"It is a special game for me," he said. "Juventus is the club where I began."

However, he has only so much room for sentiment.

"I have said that my desire is to stay in Parma," he added, "but my desires must coincide with those of the club."

Also likely to be in the Parma side is Davide Lanzafame, who is co-owned by Juventus and Palermo and likewise began his career with the Old Lady.

"Sunday will be a special game for me because I will be in Turin in front of my parents and friends. I am emotional and tense, but when I get on the pitch everything will be fine," he told Tuttosport.

But unlike Mirante, Lanzafame has a clear goal to one day return to Turin and star for his first club.

"That is always my objective, but I don't want to go back just to make up the numbers, I want to return there as a protagonist," he said.

Juventus' lengthy injury list has dogged them all season, and is not letting up now.

Antonio Chimenti, Zdenek Grygera, David Trezeguet and Mohamed Sissoko are definitely out, while Diego, Claudio Marchisio, Giorgio Chiellini and Jonathan Zebina are doubts. Hasan Salihamidzic is suspended.

Parma have a far more manageable absentee list, with Damiano Zenoni out while Alberto Paloschi and Francesco Lunardini are doubtful and both Luis Jimenez and Blerim Dzemaili are suspended.