With the Serie A season fast reaching its close and only two games remaining for those teams fighting for Europe or against relegation, round 36 offered some conclusive results for Calcio fans, as well as reigniting hope for others.
Saturday night belonged to AC Milan, as the Rossoneri sealed a first Scudetto in seven years. Ending a run of dominance from cross town rivals Inter, which followed the fallout from the Calciopoli scandal that saw the Nerazzurri emerge as the dominant force.
In the end, it was a goalless draw with Roma that sealed the title. Their opponents may have new owners, but with Champions League football far from secured, the point did little to help what has been another disappointing season for the Red half of the Capital.
The draw meant that cross town rivals Inter could only mathematically draw level on points with the Diavolo, in which instance Milan’s two wins against Leonardo’s men meant they had a better head to head record – a feat which ultimately decides teams locked on level points.
Speaking on Sunday ahead of their encounter with Fiorentina, the Brazilian coach remained rueful of missed chances explaining ''My only regret is that we didn't win it, as we almost overtook them,” before adding graciously that “ AC Milan did deserve it. They are a good team and I have no problem whatsoever looking back at my past.”
Nevertheless, Inter Milan remained focused on the task at hand, promptly dispatching the Viola with a 3-1 that looks likely to have sealed the runners up spot. Giampaolo Pazzini, arguably their signing of the season back in January, opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Cambiasso quickly doubled their lead three minutes later.
Alberto Gilardino did reduce the deficit in the 74th minute but any hope of a revival was quashed when youngster Coutinho added a third just two minutes after, for Inter president Massimo Moratti to marvel at.
The win was something of a welcome tonic to the hangover of AC Milan’s Saturday celebrations, thanks in no small part to lowly Lecce’s win over one time Scudetto hopefuls Napoli.
The bad tempered match exploded into life after the interval. Daniele Corvia first gave the hosts a priceless lead from the spot on 49 minutes, and then received his marching orders for a second bookable offence five minutes later.
Lecce held out until the 67 minute when Giuseppe Mascara levelled for the visitors, who knew only a win would do to maintain the pressure on Inter in second. But the game was turned on its head with the dismissal of player of the year Edinson Cavani. Like Corvia, the Uruguayan received a second booking to level up the teams.
The stage was then set for another Uruguayan once heralded by Serie A pundits and fans alike. Javier Chevantón made his name at Lecce back in 2004 before ill fated moves to Monaco and Sevilla.
Back at Lecce and back in the team, the 30 year old struck a goal with two minutes remaining to seal the win. The goal was initially ruled out by the linesman only to be ruled legitimate by the referee.
For Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentis it was too much, who vented his frustrations saying “A goal such as Chevantón's indicates the presence of a team very immature and not ready to compete at the highest levels.”
The result was a major one at both ends of the table too, with Sampdoria falling into the bottom three. The Blucerchiati have been in free-fall since the sales of Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini in January and now look set to face life in Serie B.
Worst of all for their fans, cross town rival Genoa may have dealt the killer blow. The Rossoblu took a first half lead through Antonio Floro Flores on Sunday evening. But after the interval, Samp hit back with a goal of some fortune. Angelo Palombo’s long range drive was parried by keeper Eduardo – straight to Nicola Pozzi who levelled the score with his knee.
But just as Sampdoria looked to have rescued themselves, seven minutes from time, Wigan Athletic reject Mario Boselli scored to settle the match.
Elsewhere, the bottom of the Serie A table continued to contract as Cesena picked up a priceless win over an already safe Cagliari.
The visiting fans were made to wait for the breakthrough though with Luis Jiménez scoring on 53 minutes after good work from Igor Budan. Cesena continued to pile on the pressure and were duly rewarded with a second goal in the 83rd minute from Dominique Malonga- sealing the win and moving them closer to safety.
Cesena thus moved to within a point of Bologna and only two behind Parma, after those two teams played out a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
The main casualty in this weekend’s fight for survival was Brescia. The Little Swallows were promoted last season but have made a swift return after a 2-1 defeat to Catania.
Matias Silvestre opened the scoring for Catania after 27 minutes as Brescia displayed the kind of form that has seen them win just once in twelve games.
Gonzalo Bergessio doubled the lead on 75 minutes and though Alessandro Diamanti scored a consolation with a free kick in injury time, it was too little too late.
Bottom club Bari, already doomed, lost 2-1 to Palermo who are looking ahead to next week’s Copa Italia semi-final. Simone Bentivoglio had given Bari the lead, before goals from Fabrizio Miccoli and Cesare Bovo either side of half time settled the game.
With relegation down to just one place and the scudetto race over, much of the focus has been placed on the battle for the fourth Champions League spot.
Last weekend saw fifth placed Udinese taking on fourth placed Lazio knowing that a win would take the Little Zebras above their opponents. And Udinese’s evergreen man of the moment Antonio Di Natale was the first half hero, with a brace that put Francesco Guidolin’s men in charge.
In truth it was harsh on a Lazio side that had held top spot in the league for so long but may now have to settle for the Europa League if that. Things did improve for the Sky Blues in the second half, when Gabriele Angella was dismissed for a foul in the box.
However, Mauro Zárate failed to convert the spot kick and although Libor Kozák did reduced the arrears with 14 minutes to go, Friuli took the fourth spot with a point lead and two games remaining.
On Monday, Luigi Del Neri’s Juventus took on Chievo knowing that a win would put them in with a very real chance of stealing a place in Europe.
And things started well for the Bianconeri with Alessandro Del Piero opening the scoring from the penalty spot on 13 minutes. Ten minutes into the second half, Alessandro Matri doubled the lead with Juve cruising to victory.
But in a bizarre two minutes, the Old Lady saw their lead, and a crucial three points disappear. First Fernando Uribe scored on 68 minutes and then, before anyone could blink, the visitors were level.
Gennaro Sardo was the hero for Chievo, and Juve are now five points from Udinese in fourth with only six points to play for. Plus Roma and Lazio still lie between them and fourth.
Without European football, it’s difficult to see Luigi Del Neri keeping his job at Juventus. That the defining result may have come at the hands of the club where he first made his name, Chievo, makes it all the more fitting.