Serie A Season 10/11

Zlatan Ibrahimovic · Apr 21, 2011

Coppa Italia: AC Milan 2 Palermo 2

21 April 2011

Urby Emanuelson's late equaliser secured a 2-2 draw for AC Milan in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Palermo on Wednesday.

The Dutch midfielder, a January transfer window signing from Ajax Amsterdam, struck with 14 minutes remaining to claim a draw for his side, although Palermo will be confident heading into the second leg with two away goals on the board.

The night started well for Massimiliano Allegri's side, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic giving the hosts a fourth minute lead.

But Palermo showed they would not lie down easily, with Javier Pastore grabbing an equaliser just 10 minutes later.

Things turned from bad to worse for Milan when Abel Hernandez put Palermo in front eight minutes into the second half before Emanuelson's late intervention saved face for the Serie A league leaders.

The second-leg will be played at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on May 10, with Palermo just needing a draw to progress if they keep Milan to one goal or less.

Edinson Cavani · Apr 22, 2011

Serie A preview: Scudetto in reach for AC Milan

22 April 2011

AC Milan will aim to take another step closer to their first Serie A title since 2003-04 on Saturday when they travel to Brescia.

Massimiliano Allegri's men are six points clear of second-placed Napoli with five games to play, but the coach is demanding the full attention of his squad ahead of their trip to strugglers Brescia.

Milan head into the match high on confidence having won their past three league games, although they were held to a 2-2 draw by Palermo in Wednesday's Coppa Italia semi-final first leg.

"We must remain awake because there are five games remaining and if we are not careful, we could also lose," Allegri said.

"Brescia are fighting to avoid the drop and this is a delicate game for us."

Allegri will be without strike pairing Alexandre Pato and Zlatan Ibrahimovic through injury and suspension respectively.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Napoli travel to Palermo keen to respond from their 2-1 loss at home to Udinese last weekend.

Third-placed Inter Milan - who are eight points behind the league leaders - play fourth-placed Lazio at the San Siro, sixth-placed Roma host Chievo Verona and Udinese will look to keep their Champions League drive going strong when they welcome Parma.

Seventh-placed Juventus will continue to push for a Europa League berth when they welcome Catania, and Fiorentina travel to Cagliari in a mid-table clash.

Cesena will be keen to move further away from the relegation zone when they visit Bologna, as will Lecce when they travel to Genoa.

And bottom side Bari will confirm their relegation from Serie A should they fail to win against fellow strugglers Sampdoria at the Stadio San Nicola.

Legolas · Apr 24, 2011

Serie A wrap: Napoli endure title blow, Inter win

23 April 2011

Napoli's Serie A title hopes suffered another blow with a 2-1 defeat away to Palermo on Saturday.

Napoli led through a penalty from Uruguay international Edinson Cavani in the first minute at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

But Federico Balzaretti equalised on 37 minutes for Palermo, before Cesare Bovo scored the winner for the hosts from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time.

The defeat leaves Napoli third, nine points behind league leaders AC Milan with four matches left to play.

Defending champions Inter Milan remain in contention to retain their title following a 2-1 win at home to Lazio.

The visitors went ahead through a Mauro Zarate penalty after 24 minutes at the San Siro, with Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar sent off for his part in conceding the penalty.

But the 10 men of Inter equalised through Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder, before Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o struck the winner seven minutes into the second half.

Lazio, who remain fourth in the table, also finished a man down after Stefano Mauri was sent off on 65 minutes.

Inter are eight points behind leaders Milan, who moved a step closer to their first Scudetto since 2004 with a 1-0 win away to Brescia.

It took until the 82nd minute for visitors Milan to break the deadlock at Estadio Mario Rigamonti, with Brazil international Robinho scoring the winning goal from an Antonio Cassano through-ball.

Defeat leaves Brescia second bottom, five points off safety. Udinese stay fifth after missing a chance to replace Lazio with a 2-0 defeat at home to Parma.

A goal in each half from on-loan striker Amauri gave visitors Parma all three points at the Stadio Friuli.

Udinese had to play out the majority of the match with 10 men following the 20th-minute dismissal of Gokhan Inler.

Roma, sixth, closed to within four points of Lazio following a 1-0 win over Chievo, with Simone Perrotta scoring the winner for the hosts in just the fourth minute of the match at the Stadio Olimpico.

In other matches, Genoa twice came from behind to dent Lecce's survival hopes with a 4-2 home win.

The defeat sees Lecce slip into the bottom three on goal difference after Sampdoria's 1-0 victory away to last-placed Bari lifted them to 17th.

A brace from Alessio Cerci helped Fiorentina beat Cagliari 2-1 away from home, while Bologna went down 2-0 at home to Cesena.

In the later game, Juventus appeared to be cruising against lowly Catania only to be held to a 2-2 draw in Turin.

Veteran striker Alessandro del Piero hit a first-half double for Luigi Delneri's side, but diminutive Argentine midfielder Alejandro Gomez handed Catania a lifeline with his 81st-minute strike.

And substitute striker Francisco Lodi completed the comeback with a goal in the fifth minute of second-half injury time.

Legolas · Apr 27, 2011

Juventus 2 - 2 Catania
All Goals & Highlights 23.04.2011

Inter Milan 2 - 1 Lazio
All Goals & Highlights 23.04.2011

Palermo 2 - 1 Napoli
All Goals & Highlights 23.04.2011

Legolas · Apr 30, 2011

Serie A preview: Milan close in on title

29 April 2011

The Serie A title race could come to an end as early as Sunday, when leaders AC Milan host Bologna at the San Siro.

Milan are eight points clear at the top of the Italian top flight and within reach of their first Scudetto since the 2004-05 season, a trophy they can clinch if results fall their way at the weekend.

Their closest challengers are bitter rivals Inter Milan, in second, and Napoli, a further point behind in third and tussling with Inter for the top two.

Inter and Napoli both play on Saturday, the former at Cesena and the latter at home to Genoa, and should both fail to register a win Milan can wrap up the title against struggling Bologna with three games left in the season.

Although unlikely, current form suggests this scenario is not altogether unforeseeable for Massimiliano Allegri and the Milan squad.

Inter's form has been questionable lately, especially away from home, where Leonardo's men have not managed a win in the league since a trip to Sampdoria in late February.

Cesena, meanwhile, have climbed out of the relegation places with an improved run of form through the last two months, losing just one of their past nine games and none at home.

Napoli's form has also taken an ill-timed dip, conceding second place to Inter with back-to-back losses to Udinese and Palermo.

Mid-table Genoa have reason to feel confident ahead of their trip to the Stadio San Paolo following consecutive wins over Brescia and Lecce, and seem to have picked up a gem in on-loan Udinese striker Antonio Floro Flores.

Assuming Inter and Napoli manage a point or less from their encounters, Milan will have the simple enough task of defeating Bologna - on a four-game losing streak - to wrap up their title.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Udinese can move provisionally into the fourth and final Champions League place on the table - occupied by Lazio - if they find a way past visiting Fiorentina.

Roma will surely maintain their grip on a Europa League spot with a visit to Serie B-bound Bari, while Sampdoria and Brescia fight it out at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in a relegation dogfight.

Lecce take their relegation-threatened campaign into a crucial encounter at Chievo, Catania do the same at Cagliari, while Parma and Palermo will both aim for a third straight win at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Finally, Juventus' slim hopes of stealing a Europa League berth could be dealt a death blow with a visit to Champions League hopefuls Lazio on Monday.

Legolas · May 1, 2011

Serie A wrap: Inter, Napoli steal late victories

1 May 2011

Inter Milan came from a goal down to beat Cesena 2-1 on Saturday, keeping the Serie A title race alive until the next round of fixtures.

Inter trailed through Igor Budan's 55th minute goal at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi and looked to be heading for defeat until substitute Giampaolo Pazzini struck to level the scores in the 91st minute.

The striker netted again five minutes into injury time to secure an unlikely comeback victory for the defending champions.

Inter, second in the table, are five points behind league leaders Milan, who play Bologna at home on Sunday.

With three rounds of the season still to come, even if Milan beat Bologna they must wait until next weekend at the earliest to secure their first Scudetto since 2004.

In Saturday's other match, third-placed Napoli beat Genoa 1-0 to secure their first win in three matches.

Slovak Marek Hamsik scored the winner for Napoli with eight minutes remaining at the Stadio Sao Paolo.

Napoli are six points behind Milan and one back from Inter, but hold an eight-point buffer ahead of fourth-placed Lazio.

Legolas · May 2, 2011

Serie A wrap: Milan edge closer to glory

2 May 2011

AC Milan edged closer to the Serie A title with a 1-0 win against Bologna on Sunday, while Sampdoria salvaged a 3-3 draw against Brescia.

Former Arsenal player Mathieu Flamini scored the winning goal for Milan in just the seventh minute of the match at the San Siro, while Bologna finished with 10 men after Francesco Della Rocca was sent off with nine minutes remaining.

The win sees Massimiliano Allegri's side restore an eight-point lead over defending champions Inter Milan with three matches of the season remaining.

At the other end of the table, Sampdoria came from behind three times to draw 3-3 at home to Brescia.

Visitors Brescia led first through Citadin Eder's goal five minutes into the second half, with Nicola Pozzi equalising for the hosts on 55 minutes at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Former Sampdoria man Andrea Caracciolo restored Brescia's lead three minutes later, before Fernando Tissone levelled for the home side just after the hour mark.

Brescia must have thought they had done enough to win when striker Caracciolo netted his second to make it 3-2 with six minutes remaining.

But midfielder Daniele Mannini struck a minute into injury time to rescue a point for Alberto Cavasin's team.

The draw keeps Sampdoria one point clear of the relegation zone, while Brescia remain second last, five points from safety.

Lecce stay third bottom, one point behind Sampdoria after going down 1-0 away to Chievo.

Udinese suffered a blow in their bid to secure a Champions League qualification berth, when they lost 5-2 away to Fiorentina.

Gaetano D'Agostino and Alessio Cerci both struck braces for the home side at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The defeat leaves Udinese fifth, one point behind fourth-placed Lazio, who host Juventus on Monday.

In other matches, Parma defeated Palermo 3-1, while Catania defeated Cagliari 2-0.

Legolas · May 4, 2011

Serie A: Lazio 0 Juventus 1

3 May 2011

A late Simone Pepe goal against 10-man Lazio has kept Juventus in the hunt for the final Champions League place in the Serie A.

Italy winger Pepe's deflected effort in the 88th minute, which handed the away side a 1-0 win and three points, was preceded by Lazio midfielder Cristian Ledesma's red card seven minutes earlier.

In spite of the defeat, the Rome outfit remain in fourth and are favourites to land the final qualifying berth for the Champions League.

Juve lie in the Europa League places, but are only are only four points adrift of Lazio.

The Turin side have now been unbeaten in seven outings.

Legolas · May 5, 2011

Roma duo hit with three-match bans

4 May 2011

Roma's Champions League aspirations have been dealt a blow with two of their players suspended for the rest of the season.

Midfield duo Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta were both given their marching orders for violent conduct by referee Carmine Russo in Roma's spiteful 3-2 win at Bari on Sunday, and as a result have been handed three-match bans.

With only three matches remaining in the Serie A season, that would rule the duo out for the crucial run home unless they can successfully appeal the suspension.

Roma are in fifth place in Serie A, just one point behind Lazio in the race for fifth which would put them in the Champions League qualifiers.

Also hit with three-match bans on Tuesday were Lecce striker David Di Michele and Bari's Kamil Glik.

Lazio's Cristian Ledesma and Inter Milan's McDonald Mariga were handed one-match bans.

Legolas · May 7, 2011

Juve agree new deal with Del Piero

6 May 2011

Juventus midfielder Alessandro Del Piero is eyeing further trophies after signing a one-year contract extension with the club on Thursday.

The 36-year-old has been at the club since 1993, winning five Serie A titles to go with his Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League crowns.

Del Piero, a 91-time Italy representative, is also a World Cup winner after the Azzurri claimed the 2006 title in Germany.

He said settling the deal with the club was an easy process, despite talks going on since last autumn.

"It wasn't difficult to reach an agreement. There wasn't that much to discuss. What needed to have been done was done," Del Piero said.

"We chose today to do it and it is a nice day."

Despite his glittering success at the club, Del Piero said he still had more to achieve with Juventus.

"This team and this club should always have the maximum ambition and it is right to always think about winning," he said.

The veteran said it was a nice surprise to sign at the club's new stadium with his previous contract due for expiry next month.

Even at 36 years of age, Del Piero said he shared a similar passion for the game as he did when he was first starting at Juventus.

"The sensations are excellent, beautiful, just like they were in 1993," Del Piero said.

"I'm happy to be here because as I have always said, I wanted to play for another year. The passion and love with which I train and play has helped me a lot and will continue to help me."

Club president Andrea Agnelli reaffirmed the simplicity of the deal between Juventus and one of their club legends.

"Alessandro told me that he wants to continue to be the captain of Juventus and wishes to win another Scudetto in the new stadium," Agnelli said.

"These words made me happy. Today's signature is just a physical action. Del Piero can still give a lot on the pitch and send a message of the club's values to his teammates."

"He will also help us a lot next season, which for us will be one of redemption."

Del Piero's former youth coach Antonello Cuccureddu said a loan deal was moments away from being organised for Del Piero when former manager Giovanni Trapattoni was in charge.

He remembers watching him while he impressed for Serie B side Padova.

“It’s hard to imagine a career like he has had, but there was that hope back then when you saw what he could do. Innate class, he made the difference," Cuccureddu said.

Legolas · May 8, 2011

Serie A wrap: Milan claim title despite draw

8 May 2011

AC Milan clinched their first Serie A title since 2003-04 with a 0-0 draw against Roma on Saturday.

In doing so the Italian giants, who have topped the standings for much of the 2010-11 season, stopped a run of five successive championships to fierce rivals Inter Milan, and wrapped up their 18th Italian top-flight triumph - level with Inter.

Saturday's result moved AC Milan nine points clear of second-placed Inter, who have three games remaining - but even if Milan were to lose their two remaining games and Inter claimed full points, Massimiliano Allegri's side have the superior head-to-head record.

Milan's top scorer this season, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, made his comeback after a three-match suspension for the Roma game, but he could not add to his tally of 14 league goals as the sides played out a 0-0 draw at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Palermo prepared for their Coppa Italia semi-final second-leg clash with Milan on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over the relegated Bari.

A goal from Simone Bentivoglio gave visitors Bari a surprise lead early on, but Palermo hit back through Fabrizio Miccoli and Cesare Bovo - and were good enough to hold on for the win despite a penalty miss from Miccoli after 65 minutes.

Legolas · May 9, 2011

Serie A wrap: Udinese seize European spot

9 May 2011

Udinese struck a major blow in the battle for Champions League qualification, climbing to fourth in Serie A with a 2-1 win over Lazio.

A seven-minute brace from forward Antonio Di Natale put hosts Udinese 2-0 ahead in the first half of Sunday's match at the Stadio Friuli.

Lazio were handed a golden opportunity to get back in the contest when Gabriele Angella brought down Tommaso Rocchi inside the area on 67 minutes.

Defender Angella received his marching orders for the foul, but the visitors were unable to take advantage, with Mauro Zarate's tame effort saved by Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Lazio did pull a goal back 10 minutes later though, with Czech forward Libor Kozak slotting home from close range.

But Edy Reja's side were unable to force an equaliser and slip to fifth place as a consequence of their defeat.

Udinese replace them in fourth, two points ahead and in possession of the final Champions League qualification berth with two matches left to play.

Inter Milan regained second place with a 3-1 win at home to Fiorentina.

Striker Giampaolo Pazzini and Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso were on target in the first half for Inter at the San Siro.

Alberto Gilardino pulled a goal back for Fiorentina on 73 minutes, before Coutinho completed the scoring for the hosts with 13 minutes remaining.

Inter are now one point ahead of Napoli, who slipped to third after going down 2-1 away to Lecce.

Javier Chevanton struck the winner for struggling Lecce two minutes from time at the Stadio Via del Mare.

Brescia are now just one match away from relegation after they lost 2-1 at home to Catania.

Goals from Luis Jimenez and Dominique Malonga helped Cesena edge closer to safety with a 2-0 win away to Cagliari.

And Parma guaranteed their survival after drawing 0-0 away to Bologna.

Legolas · May 9, 2011

Milan stars set to stay, and go

8 May 2011

The celebrations may be in full swing at Milan but it has not prevented two stars of the Serie A title win from pledging their loyalty to the new champions.

Strikers Filippo Inzaghi and Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic have quickly said they want to stay at the club.

"I intend to renew my contract with Milan," said Inzaghi, who has missed more than half the season since tearing ligaments in his left knee on November 10.

"I would like to take part in next season’s celebrations too,” said the veteran, who turns 38 in August.

"Unfortunately this year I had to spend a lot of time on the sidelines, which is particularly difficult for someone like me, but I’m happy to celebrate another trophy with Milan."

"On Thursday I will resume full training with the team and hope to play the next game at San Siro."

Inzaghi, who has made 194 appearances for the club since his transfer from Juventus 10 years ago, is one of several veterans whose contract expires on June 30.

Negotiations on a new deal were postponed until the title was secure.

"I intend to renew my contract with Milan. I hope to end my career in this side and everything points towards that being the case."

Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic has assured fans that his future lies with Milan.

"When I first arrived, I promised the Scudetto and once again I kept my word," he said.

"Perhaps some will leave next season, but certainly not me. I have no intention of leaving, as I want to stay at Milan for a long time."

But one player who has been told the exit door is open is Andrea Pirlo, whose contract is up on June 30.

Assistant manager Mauro Tassotti confirmed on Sunday that Pirlo was no longer required at Milan.

"Allegri wants a player with more defensive characteristics compared to Andrea when sitting in front of the defence," Tassotti said.

"We wanted to see how he could do in a wider role, but then Andrea started to have injury problems that kept him off the field for many months."

"In any case, Pirlo remains an important player not just for Milan, but for Italian football."

It is widely expected that Pirlo will join Juventus on a free transfer, ending his 10-year stay at San Siro.

Legolas · May 10, 2011

Serie A: Juventus 2 Chievo 2

10 May 2011

Juventus gave up a two-goal lead as their hopes of claiming a European spot took a blow after a 2-2 draw with Chievo in the Serie A.

Luigi Del Neri's team had gone 2-0 up in Turin on Monday when striker Alessandro Matri found the net 10 minutes into the second half, only to concede twice in as many minutes to settle for a point.

Veteran forward Alessandro Del Piero opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 13 minutes, days after signing a one-year contract extension with the club.

He set up Matri for the second as Juventus looked set to narrow the gap on sixth-placed Lazio to one point.

But goals from Colombian striker Fernando Uribe and defender Gennaro Sardo had Chievo level after 69 minutes.

Juventus could not find a winner, leaving them three points adrift of Lazio and five from fourth-placed Udinese with two games remaining.

The point means Chievo are guaranteed to be in the top flight next season after shooting seven points clear of the drop zone.

Legolas · May 11, 2011

Coppa Italia: Palermo win final place

11 May 2011

Palermo have progressed to the final of the Coppa Italia by defeating AC Milan 2-1 in the second leg of their semi-final on Tuesday.

Midfielder Giulio Migliaccio and defender Cesare Bovo scored the goals for Palermo, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic's stoppage-time strike made little difference for Milan as both teams ended an exciting match with 10 men.

After a 2-2 draw in the opening leg at San Siro on April 20, Palermo started brightly as they looked to progress to their first Coppa Italia final since 1979.

Argentine Javier Pastore and midfielder Armin Bacinovic squandered first-half chances for the home side, while Brazilian Robinho wasted AC Milan’s best opportunity at the other end when he shot over with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The game came to life just after the hour mark, as Palermo’s pressure led to a corner and Migliaccio evaded the defence to score.

That advantage was doubled 10 minutes later when Bovo scored from the penalty spot after Milan's Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel was adjudged to have brought down Slovenian Josip Ilicic in the box.

Van Bommel was shown a straight red card for the clumsy challenge, but Palermo’s numerical advantage did not last long as Bovo was given his marching orders on 75 minutes for a bad foul on young striker Alexandre Pato.

Ibrahimovic pulled a goal back for AC Milan deep into stoppage time, but it was too late for the newly crowned Serie A champions as Palermo clinched a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Legolas · May 11, 2011

Legolas · May 12, 2011

Coppa Italia: Inter book final spot

12 May 2011

Inter Milan will play Palermo in the Coppa Italia final after a 1-1 second-leg draw against Roma at the San Siro on Wednesday.

Inter led the tie 1-0 thanks to an away victory at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg, and progressed on aggregate to the May 29 final despite having to endure some nervy moments.

Inter and Roma - who have contested five of the last six Coppa Italia finals - were both keen to make it to the showpiece again and selected strong sides, though there was a lack of goalmouth action in the first half.

Roma's resistance looked like it had broken after 58 minutes, however, when Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o found the back of the net to give Inter a 2-0 aggregate lead.

Vincenzo Montella responded by bolstering his attacking third from the bench and, although it came late, Marco Borriello's 85th-minute strike gave the visitors hope.

But Roma could not find the one more goal they needed to progress on aggregate, with Inter qualifying for the final.

Legolas · May 15, 2011

Serie A wrap: Goal feast for Lazio, AC Milan

15 May 2011

Lazio and Milan both recorded victories after scoring four goals in their respective Serie A matches on Saturday.

Lazio's 4-2 triumph over Genoa snapped a run of three successive losses and took them above Udinese into fourth, which would enable them to enter the qualifying stage of the Champions League.

But Udinese do play tomorrow - away at 12th-placed Chievo - meaning Lazio will be hoping for the hosts to record some form of result.

Their win on Saturday was largely down to a superb start to the second half, although Giuseppe Biava set the tone of the match nicely with his seventh-minute goal.

Rodrigo Palacio hit back five minutes later for Genoa to ensure both sides entered the break on level terms.

But in the 21 minutes after half-time, Edy Reja's side scored three times to wrap up the victory.

Naturalised Italian midfielder Cristian Ledesma provided the assist for Tommaso Rocchi's goal after 52 minutes and he was the provider again four minutes later when Brazilian Hernanes made it 3-1.

Hernanes doubled his account on 66 minutes and, while striker Antonio Floro Flores pulled back a late consolation for Genoa, Lazio were easy winners.

In the day's other match, Milan romped to a 4-1 home win against Cagliari thanks to a first-half masterclass from Robinho.

After opening the scoring on 22 minutes, the Brazilian set up captain Gennaro Gattuso for just his second goal of the season two minutes later.

Robinho grabbed his second strike of the game ten minutes before the break and, although Andrea Cossu replied almost immediately, victory was never in doubt for the champions as Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf wrapped up the rout with 13 minutes to play.

Legolas · May 15, 2011

Allegri savours Milan celebrations

15 May 2011

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was in awe of the celebrations that came with winning the Serie A title.

The Rossoneri clinched their 18th Scudetto - and first since 2004 - with a goalless draw at AS Roma earlier this month and it was party time at home against Cagliari on Saturday as they eased to a 4-1 victory in front of a parochial Milan crowd.

But the match was almost a sideshow, given the players had already been driven to the ground in an open-top bus and had performed a lap of honour inside the ground prior to kick-off.

Up to 50,000 fans also greeted the players in Piazza Duomo before the match and Allegri said the day was a tremendous experience.

"It was wonderful for me and the first time I've experienced anything like that, so I was amazed and fascinated," he said.

"I wanted the lads to end the campaign in the best way with the fans and President here for us."

Allegri said the title was achieved because of the hard work done by the squad during the pre-season.

"I immediately asked the side to train with intensity, as that is what prepares you for the pitch, but that is also a work ethic at Milan decades ago with Arrigo Sacchi," Allegri said.

"I merely asked them to work for the team and that is what they did for me and each other."

Legolas · May 16, 2011

Serie A wrap: Sampdoria relegated, Udinese stay fourth

16 May 2011

Lecce won 2-0 at Bari 2-0 on Sunday to relegate Sampdoria from Serie A, while Udinese won to retain fourth place.

A strike from Brazilian forward Jeda and Andrea Masiello's own goal secured victory for Lecce against already-relegated Bari at the Stadio San Nicola.

Lecce remain 17th, but are now five points clear of third bottom Sampdoria, who lost 2-1 at home to Palermo.

Jonathan Biabiany had equalised for Sampdoria after Fabrizio Miccoli put Palmero ahead on the stroke of half-time.

But substitute Mauricio Pinilla struck with four minutes to go to see Palmero take all three points.

Coupled with Lecce's victory, a defeat at home confirmed the end of Sampdoria's eight-year stay in the top flight.

Like Bari, Brescia went into the penultimate round of matches already relegated to Serie B.

And the poor form that led to their demotion continued with a 1-0 defeat away to Cesena.

At the other end of the table, Udinese remain fourth and on course for a Champions League qualification berth after they beat Chievo 2-0 away from home.

Chilean Mauricio Isla and Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah were on target for Udinese.

With just one match of the season now remaining, they are two points clear of fifth-placed Lazio, who won 4-2 at home to Genoa.

Roma are out of top four contention after they lost 2-1 away to Catania.

Brazil international Robinho netted twice, while veterans Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf were also on target, as champions AC Milan beat visitors Cagliari 4-1 at the San Siro.

Another disappointing season for Juventus took a turn for the worse with a 1-0 defeat at Parma, while Fiorentina were held 1-1 at home to Bologna.

In the late kick-off, Napoli drew 1-1 at home to Inter Milan.

Colombian Camilo Zuniga equalised for Napoli on the stroke of half-time after Samuel Eto'o had given Inter the lead on 15 minutes.

The draw means Inter finish second and Napoli third, with both sides set for Champions League football next season.

Serie A Season 10/11

Alfrescian (Inf)

Edinson Cavani

Guest

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Alfrescian (Inf)

Similar threads