Until the final whistle

By Mirko Corli, writing from Torino

Serie A, like other main European leagues, will declare its champion in the very final game of the season.

On Sunday Inter became in charge of the title for at least 60 minutes by getting a huge victory 4-3 at home against Chievo, while Roma was getting a draw and then loosing 1-0 at home against Cagliari. Then, Francesco Totti scored twice (second one from the penalty spot) to secure an important win for the giallorossi.

Now, this is the plot for the final game of the season: Inter will play in Siena (Alberto Malesani’s lads have already been relegated for two weeks) and Roma will play in Verona against Chievo. 

Chievo was not a simple opponent for Inter this week; they actually took the lead in San Siro with an own goal from Thiago Motta and then showed a great attitude to keep the game alive until the end. Maybe they will be able to show the same fighting spirit next week against Roma (considering that both Chievo’s coach and President are Inter fans).

We’ll see what will happen: the only thing we know for sure is that the two teams that are fighting for the title are the best we’ve seen this year in Italy.

As far as the rest of the league is concerned, we have some more certainties. Atalanta joined Siena and Livorno into the second division, Milan secured the third place even by losing in Genova against Genoa (so they will get direct access to the Champions League), Napoli secured its Europa League spot as well as Juventus did (lost 3-2 at home against Parma). The bad thing for the Bianconeri is that they will start the season in early July for their first match into the European competition, forcing them to rush the setting of the team in the summer. It’s even worse if you think that at least 7/8 Juventus’ key players will take part of the World Cup in South Africa, so they will come back in Torino maybe after the start of the season for Juventus.

The big match for the 4th place between Palermo and Sampdoria was a draw (1-1) decided from the penalty spot for both teams. Now Sampdoria is still 4th, leading Palermo by two points. Nothing is over yet.

Something more to say about today’s goals: Antonio Di Natale scored twice today, virtually getting the title of top scorer (28 goals in 38 games for him) of the league. Diego Milito is the second in place and today scored a fantastic chip over the keeper. But the best goal of the week, my friends, is still into the Serie B, Italy’s second division: Sassuolo’s Riccardo Zampagna fantastic overhead kick. 

That’s all folks. As you know i’m a huge Inter fan, so i will live the upcoming week with huge tension, trying to survive until sunday afternoon. Hope to see you back on Monday ;)