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| The Champions lifted the Scudetto on Saturday |
Though Milan had clinched the title before this weekend, other matters were still up for decision in Italy. Lecce beat local rivals Bari 2-0 to ensure survival in the top flight next season, while Cesena also guaranteed their Serie A status by beating Brescia 1-0. Sampdoria needed a win over Palermo to survive, but the necessary attacking efforts left them open at the back and the visitors took full advantage, winning 2-1. Only a year after the Blucerchiati were celebrating qualification for the Champions League, they face a future in Serie B.
The only thing still undecided going into the final day of the season is whether Udinese or Lazio will match Sampdoria’s achievement last season by unexpectedly securing Champions League qualification. Roma won’t qualify this time, as two late goals from Catania yesterday spelled defeat for the Giallorossi and ruled them out of contention for fourth place. Coach Vincenzo Montella hinted that he was keen to have a sit-down with Roma’s new American owners regarding his future: “since I have been at Roma I have had to go against my own judgment on certain matters”
Udinese are still in pole position for that Champions League place following their 2-0 victory at Chievo, while Roma’s rivals Lazio kept the pressure on with a 4-2 win over Genoa on Saturday. Udinese are two points clear of Lazio, so a draw against the Champions on the final day should be enough, unless Lazio beat Lecce by more than eight goals. A win for Udinese will definitely secure fourth, an achievement which coach Francesco Guidolin has promised to celebrate by attempting to emulate Boateng’s dance moves!
Inter and Napoli needed a point each to ensure that they would finish in second and third places respectively, hence there was very little attacking intent in the second half of their 1-1 draw yesterday. Gentlemanly conduct was the order of the day on the pitch, while spectators struggled to maintain consciousness. Now that they will be playing in the Champions League, Napoli have turned their attentions to holding on to the man who brought them there, as the stories linking coach Walter Mazzarri to Juventus refuse to go away.
Midfielder Sebastian Giovinco inflicted hurt on his parent club Juventus once again by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win for Parma. Juve now look likely to miss out on both European competitions next season, a fact which Giorgio Chiellini lamented after the game: "This is the thousandth missed train of our season….we have never been a team.” Finally, Fiorentina’s last home game before the Summer ended in a 1-1 draw with Bologna.
Til next time…
Serie A: week 37 results
Bari 0-2 Lecce
Catania 2-1 Roma
Cesena 1-0 Brescia
Chievo 0-2 Udinese
Fiorentina 1-1 Bologna
Napoli 1-1 Inter
Parma 1-0 Juventus
Sampdoria 1-2 Palermo
AC Milan 4-1 Cagliari
Lazio 4-2 Genoa
