After suffering the damage of match fixing and accusations of being 'boring', Serie A is set to draw to an exciting climax this coming Sunday.
Less than 2 months ago, Inter were considered to have already won the title, but somehow, they have contrived to not cross the line and going into the final day this sunday, they're just 1 point clear of Roma. Inter inexplicably only managed a 2-2 draw at home to Siena, while Roma beat Atalanta and now sit on 81 points, while Inter are on 82.
On the last day, Inter travel to Parma who are third from bottom and 2 points adrift of Catania and safety. Roma meanwhile, are away to.....Catania!
The fourth Champions League place has been passed around like a hot potato, with neither AC Milan nor Fiorentina seemingly wanting to stake their claim. The two have swapped places on a regular basis, but Milan's 2-1 win over city rivals Inter seemed to have cemented their place in 4th with Fiorentina letting a 2-1 lead over Sampdoria slip the previous evening. This left Milan in pole position for the last Champions League place, leading Fiorentina by a point with just 2 games remaining.
However, Milan slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Napoli and Fiorentina took advantage with a 3-1 home win over Parma, to put them 2 points clear ahead of the final Sunday.
Milan host an Intertoto Cup chasing Udinese at the San Siro, while Fiorentina will travel to 15th placed (and safe) Torino.
Fiorentina know a draw may not be enough as Milan have the better of the head-to-head meetings, with a draw and a win over the Florence club.
If La Viola win at Torino, they will guarantee a place in the qualifying round of the Champions League and the reigning European Champions will finish outside the top four for the first time since 2001.
However if Milan beat Udinese and Fiorentina fail to claim three points, the Rossoneri will once again play Champions League football next season.
All in all, the league commonly known as one of Europe's less entertaining, is set for an exciting conclusion this Sunday.
Current Standings:
TOP
82pts - Inter
______________________
81pts - Roma
71pts - Juventus
63pts - Fiorentina
-------------------------
61pts - Milan
59pts - Sampdoria
57pts - Udinese
BOTTOM
39pts - Reggina
36pts - Catania
_____________________
34pts - Parma
33pts - Empoli
30pts - Livorno (R)
Final Fixtures:
Saturday 17 May
Sampdoria v Juventus
Sunday 18 May
Atalanta v Genoa
Cagliari v Reggina
Catania v Roma
Empoli v Livorno
Lazio v Napoli
Milan v Udinese
Parma v Inter
Siena v Palermo
Torino v Fiorentina
Less than 2 months ago, Inter were considered to have already won the title, but somehow, they have contrived to not cross the line and going into the final day this sunday, they're just 1 point clear of Roma. Inter inexplicably only managed a 2-2 draw at home to Siena, while Roma beat Atalanta and now sit on 81 points, while Inter are on 82.
On the last day, Inter travel to Parma who are third from bottom and 2 points adrift of Catania and safety. Roma meanwhile, are away to.....Catania!
The fourth Champions League place has been passed around like a hot potato, with neither AC Milan nor Fiorentina seemingly wanting to stake their claim. The two have swapped places on a regular basis, but Milan's 2-1 win over city rivals Inter seemed to have cemented their place in 4th with Fiorentina letting a 2-1 lead over Sampdoria slip the previous evening. This left Milan in pole position for the last Champions League place, leading Fiorentina by a point with just 2 games remaining.
However, Milan slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Napoli and Fiorentina took advantage with a 3-1 home win over Parma, to put them 2 points clear ahead of the final Sunday.
Milan host an Intertoto Cup chasing Udinese at the San Siro, while Fiorentina will travel to 15th placed (and safe) Torino.
Fiorentina know a draw may not be enough as Milan have the better of the head-to-head meetings, with a draw and a win over the Florence club.
If La Viola win at Torino, they will guarantee a place in the qualifying round of the Champions League and the reigning European Champions will finish outside the top four for the first time since 2001.
However if Milan beat Udinese and Fiorentina fail to claim three points, the Rossoneri will once again play Champions League football next season.
All in all, the league commonly known as one of Europe's less entertaining, is set for an exciting conclusion this Sunday.
Current Standings:
TOP
82pts - Inter
______________________
81pts - Roma
71pts - Juventus
63pts - Fiorentina
-------------------------
61pts - Milan
59pts - Sampdoria
57pts - Udinese
BOTTOM
39pts - Reggina
36pts - Catania
_____________________
34pts - Parma
33pts - Empoli
30pts - Livorno (R)
Final Fixtures:
Saturday 17 May
Sampdoria v Juventus
Sunday 18 May
Atalanta v Genoa
Cagliari v Reggina
Catania v Roma
Empoli v Livorno
Lazio v Napoli
Milan v Udinese
Parma v Inter
Siena v Palermo
Torino v Fiorentina
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