Milan dispatched with the challenge of Sampdoria in comfortable fashion on Saturday evening. Their 3-0 win, combined with Napoli’s surprise 2-1 defeat by Udinese, ensured that Milan are now six points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A with just five rounds of games remaining. Sampdoria, meanwhile, drop into the relegation zone after another fruitless weekend for the Genoa side.
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| Did Udinese deliver a fatal blow to Napoli's title hopes on Sunday? |
The battle for Champions League football remains fierce – Udinese’s win at Napoli ensured that they remain just a single point behind Lazio, who beat Catania 4-1 on Sunday. Lazio trail third-placed Inter by three points, and these two will do battle at the San Siro on Saturday. Inter were surprisingly on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at Parma on Saturday evening. This win could prove crucial in Parma’s fight to avoid relegation.
Delio Rossi secured the first win of his second spell as Palermo coach on Saturday. His team’s 3-2 victory over sixth-placed Roma at the Stadio Olimpico means that Roma are now seven points behind their rivals Lazio, who hold the final Champions League spot. Roma’s takeover by an American consortium – the first time a major Serie A club has been bought by foreign owners – was completed the evening before the Palermo defeat.
Juventus are also almost certain to be forced to settle for Europa League rather than Champions League football again next season. Their 0-0 draw at Fiorentina leaves them trailing Lazio by eight points.
At the other end of the table, Cesena secured three vital points by beating doomed Bari 1-0 on Sunday. This win lifts them out of the relegation zone. Brescia are still second from bottom, but they are now four points from safety following their 3-0 defeat at Genoa.
Elsewehere, Chievo inflicted a third straight defeat on Bologna while Lecce and Cagliari played out an exciting 3-3 draw on Sunday afternoon. Incidentally, the first legs of the Coppa Italia semi-finals take place this week - Roma will play Inter on Tuesday, while Palermo visit AC Milan on Wednesday.
Til next time…
Serie A: week 33 results
Catania 1-4 Lazio
Cesena 1-0 Bari
Chievo 2-0 Bologna
Fiorentina 0-0 Juventus
Genoa 3-0 Brescia
Lecce 3-3 Cagliari
Napoli 1-2 Udinese
AC Milan 3-0 Sampdoria
Parma 2-0 Inter
Roma 2-3 Palermo
