Serie A - Week 37: Sunday Review

Paolo Maldini's farewell to the AC Milan faithful was soured by a 3-2 loss against Roma which leaves the Rossoneri vulnerable to missing out on an automatic Champions League spot while the win guarantees the capital side a Europa League place. Elsewhere Juventus and Fiorentina confirmed top four finishes while Lecce drop back down to Serie B.

AC MILAN 2-3 ROMA
Paolo Maldini's final Serie A appearance at the San Siro ended on a losing note as Milan slipped to a 3-2 defeat against Roma in a thrilling match. Aged 40, Maldini is to hang up his boots at the end of the season and he had hoped to bid a victorious goodbye to the fans he has entertained since 1985. Instead, the home side were twice obliged to come from behind after Roma registered through John Arne Riise and Jeremy Menez ten minutes from the end of each half. Massimo Ambrosini, who was sent off late on, levelled the scores on both occasions, finding the back of the net after 75 and 81 minutes, but Francesco Totti put the visitors back in front with a free-kick five minutes from time. The result seals Roma's place in the Europa League, while Milan need to avoid a defeat by a two-goal margin at Fiorentina to snatch the final automatic Champions League spot ahead of the Viola.

LECCE 1-1 FIORENTINA
A last-minute equaliser from Fiorentina's Martin Jorgensen denied Lecce the chance of a dramatic final-day escape by confirming the hosts' drop to Serie B with a game to go. Simone Tiribocchi broke the deadlock after 50 minutes, with a win enough to take the club's battle against relegation to the last round of games. But it was not to be for Luigi Di Canio's side as substitute Jorgensen equalised with only seconds remaining, despite Felipe Melo's red card two minutes previously. For their part Fiorentina are now guaranteed a place in the Champions League qualifying round but can now beat third-placed Milan to an automatic group stage berth. A victory by a two-goal margin against the Rossoneri on the final day will secure a top three finish.

TORINO 2-3 GENOA
Torino fell into the relegation zone as Diego Milito's late header pinched the points as Genoa ran out 3-2 winners at the Stadio Olimpico. After taking two wins and a draw from their previous three home matches, and securing a first home win of the campaign last week, Torino had cause to be confident. But a double from Inter-bound Milito, and a super strike from Ruben Oliveira, clinched three points for Genoa, who are now confirmed a spot in the Europa League next season. Ivan Franceschini and Rolando Bianchi had scored equalisers for Toro, who also had Ignazio Abate sent off. Giancarlo Camolese's side will now travel to Roma next Sunday knowing they would have to better Bologna's result against Catania to survive.

CHIEVO 0-0 BOLOGNA
Chievo secured their Serie A future with a goalless draw at home to Bologna, who now have to wait until the last game of the season to discover their fate. It is a remarkable achievement for Chievo who looked dead and buried at the turn of the year but have managed to save themselves after losing only three of their past 20 games. The result also pushed Bologna out of the relegation zone and they are above Torino courtesy of a better head-to-head record. Victory at home to Catania next weekend will ensure they stay up while any other result will leave them looking nervously at Torino's match at Roma.

ATALANTA 2-2 PALERMO
Palermo saw their Europa League hopes disappear after being held to a 2-2 draw at Atalanta. The Sicilian side had gone into the game trailing Roma by two points and needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive. But with Roma winning 3-2 at Milan, Palermo could only take a point at Atalanta which means victory in the final game of the season will not be enough to close the four-point gap on sixth place. Davide Succi and Fabrizio Miccoli found the target for Palermo, but a Gianvito Plasmati double ensured a share of the spoils for the hosts.

SAMPDORIA 2-2 UDINESE
Udinese's hopes of playing in Europe next season were crushed as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Sampdoria. The Bianconeri went into the match on the back of six straight wins but struggled against an inspired Antonio Cassano, who proved a nightmare for the visiting defence. Gaetano D'Agostino opened the scoring for Udinese from the penalty spot but Samp equalised thanks to an own goal from Mauricio Isla. Cassano put the hosts in front on the stroke of half-time from the spot but Udinese defender Felipe made sure his team secured a point. The result leaves the Friuli outfit five points behind sixth-place Roma, who snatch the final Europe League qualifying spot, with one game remaining.

SIENA 0-3 JUVENTUS
New boss Ciro Ferrara enjoyed a near-perfect first game in charge of Juventus as he guided them to a 3-0 win at Siena that ensures their place in next season's Champions League. Former Juve defender Ferrara was brought in to replace Claudio Ranieri, who was sacked on Monday following a run of seven games without a win that had threatened their bid to qualify directly for the Champions League. But Alessandro Del Piero almost single-handedly allayed those fears as he scored two and made another, for Claudio Marchisio, to wrap up a win that moves them up to second.

CAGLIARI 2-1 INTER
Cagliari brought Inter back to earth with a bump as they inflicted a fourth league defeat of the season on the Serie A champions, winning 2-1. Jose Mourinho's men wrapped up the Scudetto with two games to spare last weekend but they appeared to be suffering a celebration hangover at Stadio Sant'Elia. Despite falling behind to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's early goal, the Sardinian hosts hit back through Andrea Cossu and Robert Acquafresca to end a run of four matches without a win.

CATANIA 3-1 NAPOLI
Napoli's dismal season continued as they lost 3-1 at Catania. With his team having managed just one win in their last 18 league games, Partenopei coach Roberto Donadoni had demanded his side show more character before the match and Napoli did take a 28th-minute lead thanks to a Mariano Bogliacino goal. But the hosts hit back in style to claim all three points. Takayuki Morimoto equalised shortly before the break before Giuseppe Mascara put Catania in front from the penalty spot with three minutes remaining. Substitute Vito Falcoeri then capped a wonderful afternoon for Catania deep in stoppage time. Napoli ended the game with 10 men with Daniele Mannini sent off for dissent.

SERIE A REVIEW:
[Wednesday 20 May] - [Sunday 24 May]