<
        >

          Juventus fans have boosted our confidence for Inter Milan game - Andrea Barzagli

          • Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondentApr 27, 2018, 09:33 AM

          Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli said the hundreds of fans who descended on their training session this week have motivated them not to let their single-point advantage over Napoli slip as the title race enters into its final four fixtures.

          The defender insisted the atmosphere was a positive one and that the presence of so many fans has only hammered home the importance of winning their final four games, starting at Inter Milan on Saturday night.

          "The fans came to encourage us and they did a great thing," Barzagli told Sky Sport Italia. "I believe all the lads in the team felt this. We know the importance of our next game and the final four and we are very focused.

          "The tone of the chants was very relaxed -- I never heard any threats or protests. The fans came here to show us the faith they have in us, in a peaceful manner, so as to get behind us. It was a positive day, no matter what people say.

          "I can see a great deal of determination [within the squad] to realise an objective which has become more difficult, but it still depends on us since we are a point ahead of Napoli. We need to prepare the best we can, to play a great game against Inter."

          The Bianconeri travel to the San Siro this Saturday for a pivotal fixture for both clubs.

          A draw or defeat would allow Napoli to rise to the summit with three games to go by beating Fiorentina on Sunday, but Inter have their own objectives which means, in addition to the traditional rivalry with Juventus, the stakes are equally high for them.

          Luciano Spalletti's men are currently a point behind Roma and Lazio, who occupy Serie A's two other Champions League qualifying berths behind Juve and Napoli, and they need a win to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for Europe's elite club competition next season.

          As a result, San Siro is sold out for what will guarantee the Nerazzurri the largest ever gate receipts for a Serie A fixture.

          A capacity crowd of 78,328, which includes a full visitors' section, will generate revenue of over €5 million -- beating the previous league record of €4,864,749 for this season's Milan derby, also at San Siro.