Serie A Week 37 Review

By: Francesco | May 12th, 2008

Christian Rigano’ grabs Materazzi in the box and causes a penalty.

Week 37 turned out to be a very interesting round of Serie A. It was filled with some much joy and so much drama. Inter, as we know by know, did not win the Scudetto. The 2-2 draw at home was not enough for the Nerazzurri to claim the title. Roma went -1 with a win over Atalanta at home, which makes next week very interesting. Then there is the score of 3-1, which has an effect on Fiorentina and Milan. The score of 3-1 was good for Fiorentina, who defeated Parma and reclaimed the 4th Champions League spot. The score of 3-1 was bad for Milan, who were defeated in Napoli and surpassed by La Viola and now have a really high chance of missing out on Champions League action next season. On the bottom side of the table, Livorno say goodbye to Serie A after a 4 year stay. Reggina complete another salvation miracle, while Empoli and Parma have to send fruit baskets to Alessandro Del Piero, as his last minute goal against Catania saved the two northern clubs from automatic relegation and give them a chance on the last day. Let’s go through each match:

Fiorentina-Parma: 3-1

Fiorentina came back from 1-0 down and defeated Parma 3-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi to reclaim 4th spot. With Milan’s loss at Napoli, La Viola are 2 points ahead of Milan but must win at already safe Torino next week to gain a historic Champions League qualification. Hector Cuper decided to leave Daniele Dessena, Luca Cigarini, and Andrea Gasbarroni all on the bench and that proved to be costly. Parma took the lead when Ferdinand Coly crossed from the right and Igor Budan was there to head the ball past Sebastien Frey. Fiorentina were playing with an inspired Riccardo Montolivo and his mazy run into the area led to an assist for Mario Santana to easily tap in, and Fiorentina were back in it. Fiorentina then took the lead in the second half with a headed goal from Franco Semioli. Parma then went down to 10 men and Fiorentina closed the game after Osvaldo ran onto a cross and put it in with a superb sliding effort. Because of the Catania result, Parma was in Serie B for most of the match, however Del Piero’s equalizer saved them from the drop. The big news of the day is that Ghirardi has sacked Hector Cuper, and Primavera coach Manzo will take charge of the game on Sunday.

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Genoa-Lazio: 0-2

Lazio salvaged some of their pride by defeating Genoa away. Lazio took the lead after Stefano Mauri made a nice heel flick to Tommaso Rocchi, who gave it to Goran Pandev who then finished nicely. Lazio doubled their lead when Valeron Behrami did all the work and then layed off a nice pass for Rocchi who just had to touch it in. Genoa started the match strangely with Borriello on the bench, but he did not make an impact when coming on. The Rossoblu also hit the post through Konko late in the game. With this loss Genoa lost the Intertoto spot to Napoli, who defeated Milan.

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Inter-Siena: 2-2

The big match on Sunday was not short on excitement. Inter started the game with good rhythm and looked like they were focused on winning the Scudetto. Materazzi hit the crossbar on a header but 12 minutes in Patrick Vieira gave Inter the lead, heading in a corner taken by young phenom Mario Balotelli. Siena decided to fight back, with Locatelli in good form (although Materazzi tackled him bad and he had to go off), and in the 30th minute they found the equalizer. Kharja played a nice ball through for Massimo Maccarone who finished past Julio Cesar. However right before half-time Inter scored again, a cross was played in, Balotelli was all open and easily headed it into the net. Siena had a golden opportunity to score as well, but the left-back Rossi fired straight at Julio Cesar. In the second half an impressive Balotelli had to go off because of cramps. Siena then tied the game with a angled drive from Kharja. However 10 minutes before the end Rigano did his best WWE wrestling impression and took down Materazzi in the box. Julio Cruz was the set penalty taker, but Materazzi took the ball himself and had his shot saved by Manninger. Mancini was furious, shouting obscenities at Materazzi, and president Moratti was caught on camera saying “Materazzi made us lose”. Cruz fired over in the later stages but the game ended and Inter now go to Parma next week to win the Scudetto, with Roma breathing down their necks.

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Juventus-Catania: 1-1

This was a dull game, as Juventus had nothing to play for and Catania were fighting to stay up. Del Piero had some chances in the first half, and Buffon made a nice save on a Vargas free kick. However in the second half Martinez put the Sicilians ahead with a chaotic goal. The ball fumbled between Chiellini and Buffon and Martinez looked like he put it in with his stomach or something. With the 1-0 result, Catania was safe and Parma and Empoli were relegated to Serie B. However in the final minute Del Piero got between two defenders and finished a cross to shatter Catania’s safety hopes and save Parma and Empoli. Catania now need to get a result vs Roma at home. Juventus end the campaign with a trip to Genoa to take on Sampdoria. Del Piero vs. Cassano. I hope Donadoni is watching. Del Piero’s goal also put him on 19 goals for the season, catching Marco Borriello at the top of the capocannoniere list.

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Livorno-Torino: 0-1

Livorno were relegated to Serie B for the first time in 4 seasons while Torino mathematically saved themselves from relegation. Torino went ahead on a goal by Rosina, which really looked offside. Livorno scored a similar goal in the second half through Tavano but that was called back. In the second half play had to be stopped for a few minutes when Livorno fans started to throw smoke bombs and tiles on the pitch. Livorno needs to make a plan for next season, and really decide if they can put together a project that will get them back up to Serie A right away. Torino enjoy salvation and can look forward to having a better year next season, with Gianni De Biasi finally being at the helm at the start of the season.

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Napoli-Milan: 3-1

The game that nobody could see outside of Italy because of the whole rights situation. Napoli upset another big team at the San Paolo, having beaten both Juventus and Inter at home, while Roma were the only big team to avoid a loss in Napoli. It seems like when Napoli plays at home vs. the big teams they get really excited and transform into Maradona-era Napoli. Napoli dominated Milan in all aspects, and took the lead on a great goal from Marek Hamsik, who ran the length on the pitch and finished nicely. The second came when Nesta tackled Lavezzi in the box and Domizzi stepped up and powered home the penalty. In stoppage time both teams scored. Garics finished a cross from the left, and Seedorf scored on a free kick. Napoli surpassed Genoa for the Intertoto spot (could be UEFA spot if Udinese don’t get their license), while Milan were surpassed by Fiorentina and need a big help from Torino next week (which is unlikely seeing as the Granata are already safe) to qualify for the Champions League.

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Palermo-Sampdoria: 0-2

It was goodbye day to Amauri at the Renzo Barbera, as this was the Brazilian’s last match for Palermo in front of his home fans. He was even given the captain’s armband for the day. Both teams had chances to go ahead, but the Blucerchiati went ahead with a moment of magic from El Pibe di Bari, Antonio Cassano. Cassano took a free kick from about 25 yards out and it was a magical effort, curling around the wall and into the top corner, right under where the crossbar and post meet. It was unstoppable. That was his 9th goal of the season. Samp then closed the game when Christian Maggio scored off of a corner kick. Palermo end the season away to Siena, while Samp end at home vs. Juventus where Cassano and Del Piero have one final chance to impress Donadoni.

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Reggina-Empoli: 2-0

Reggina achieved another miraculous salvation by defeating Empoli 2-0. There were times this season when it didn’t look like the Amaranto would make it, but they got some great results and will spend another year in paradise. Empoli were in Serie B for most of the match, but Del Piero’s goal saved them and they now have to beat already relegated Livorno next week to have any hope of saving themselves. Reggina took the lead through a missile from Edgar Barreto. Barreto had the ball around 30 yards out, looked up, decided to have a go, and it sailed into the upper corner. Reggina then secured salvation through Nicola Amoruso, who got the ball, went into the box, cut past a defender, and finished nicely.

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Roma-Atalanta: 2-1

Roma defeated Atalanta 2-1 at the Olimpico to keep their Scudetto hopes alive and with Inter’s tie vs. Siena they are now -1. All Roma fans will now become Parma fans, because if Parma can draw or beat Inter and Roma win, they will win their 4th Scudetto. However standing in the Giallorossi’s way is Catania, who are fighting for salvation, and need to win or draw at all costs. Roma took the lead through Christian Panucci and I think we all know by now that a Panucci goal means it was headed in. Panucci headed in a free kick taken by Cicinho. Before that Vucinic missed a point blank chance. Roma kept going and in the second half De Rossi was fouled outside the box. On the ensuing free kick, “Capitano Futuro” scored on a great effort. Giampaolo Bellini scored a consolation goal 2 minutes from time but Roma took all three points, and next week they play for the Scudetto.

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Udinese-Cagliari: 0-2

Cagliari complete their great season and mathematically secured another season in Serie A by dominating Udinese at the Stadio Friuli and winning 2-0. Cagliari had chances to score in the first half but scored right after the restart. Acquafresca received a pass from Cossu, faked past two defenders, and slotted the ball home. It has been a great season for Acquafresca, who has shown all of his potential to become a great striker. Cagliari closed the game through lifelong Cagliari fan Andrea Cossu, who took the ball at the top of the box, dribbled in, and finished past Handanovic to score his first ever goal with a Cagliari jersey. Udinese now sit in the final UEFA Cup position but may not be able to partake in it next season if their UEFA license doesn’t arrive. Hopefully it does, because Udinese deserve to play European football next season.

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