MILAN — AC Milan is set to rely on a masked hero as the fight for Champions League spots comes down to the final day in Serie A.
With four teams still vying for the last two qualifying positions among Europe’s top clubs, the competition is tight.
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Milan and Roma currently hold the third and fourth positions, respectively, both teams sitting on equal points, two ahead of Como and Juventus.
Milan will face Cagliari, a match where pride is the only motivation for the visitors, while Luka Modric may make a surprising return following surgery for a broken cheekbone less than a month ago.
Initially, it was believed that Modric’s season had ended after sustaining the injury during a goalless draw against Juventus, but he has resumed training, sporting a protective mask, and is eager to assist his squad in this critical phase.
At 40 years old, Modric has been one of Milan’s standout players this season, featuring in 32 of the 34 league matches prior to his injury and spending only one game on the bench.
Milan also hopes for Christian Pulisic to break his goal drought in what could be his last match with the club before heading to the World Cup.
Pulisic returned from injury last weekend, contributing 15 minutes of play in a crucial 2-1 victory against Genoa, where he provided an assist for the decisive goal.
However, the U.S. international is still searching for his first goal, having gone 18 league matches without scoring since December 28.
All four matches involving the teams competing for Champions League qualification will start simultaneously on Sunday night.
Roma will visit already relegated Hellas Verona, while Juventus takes on city rivals Torino. Juventus is expected to field Pulisic’s U.S. teammate Weston McKennie, who has contributed five goals and five assists in 35 league appearances this season.
Como may face the toughest challenge, traveling to meet Cremonese, which is still battling to avoid relegation, sitting just one point below Lecce, who will host Genoa.
If Como claims a Champions League place, it would mark an incredible feat for a club that was competing in the fourth division just seven years ago.
Inter Milan and Napoli have already secured their spots in the Champions League for next season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.