Blanc closes in on Perrin as drama builds in French title chase
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Your support makes all the difference.The French league's tightest finish in years means the pressure is intense at both ends of the table. The Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc has a shot at the title in his first season, Lyons' Alain Perrin can secure the club's first league and cup double – yet could be fired – while Paris St-Germain can win both domestic cups and still be relegated.
Lyons are chasing a seventh consecutive title, but Bordeaux's pursuit has seen Blanc trim Perrin's lead from nine points to two over the last six games. If Bordeaux lose at home to Sochaux and Lyons beat visiting Nancy today, the title is Perrin's. Defeat for Lyons and a win for Bordeaux means Blanc would take a point lead into the final round.
Even though Lyons remain on course for a double – they play PSG in the French Cup final on 24 May - president Jean-Michel Aulas is thinking about a new coach for next season.
In Italy, Internazionale's bruising week will be forgotten if they beat Siena at home tomorrow to retain their Serie A title. The leaders could have sealed a third successive scudetto last weekend, but a 2-1 derby defeat by Milan allowed Roma to close to three points.
With two games to go, Inter need one win because their better head-to-head record over Roma would be the deciding factor if they finished level on points.
The fallout from the derby defeat included club president Massimo Moratti and coach Roberto Mancini clashing over whether the side had been too cautious against Milan. Speculation that Mancini will leave continues but Wednesday's 2-0 win at Lazio in the Italian Cup semi-final second leg showed the team have not been adversely affected.
Defenders Cristian Chivu and Nicolas Burdisso are doubts for tomorrow after going off at Lazio, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not expected to be fit. Marco Materazzi, sent off in Rome, will be banned for the Cup final rather than the league.
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