It’s the Grand Serie A finale, and the Cult of Calcio have you covered! Juventus, Milan and Napoli are all fighting for the last two remaining Champions League spots. Both the Partenopei and the Rossoneri only need to beat their opponents – Hellas Verona and Atalanta respectively – whilst the Bianconeri need to beat Bologna away from home, and hope that either of their foes slips up. So stay tuned for our live coverage for all the action on this decisive night.
Final Table
So, that was a stressful night wasn’t it? Milan and Juventus are celebrating Champions League qualification, whilst Napoli’s disappointing draw means they’ll have to do with Europa League spot.
Speaking of EL, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s late goal secures a 2-2 draw for Roma, who will now start their next campaign early on with some summer European qualifiers. Good luck José!
That’s the end of our live coverage, but keep an eye on our match recaps tonight, as well as our post-season editorials in the coming days, plus all the transfer news that you need.
Good night, everyone!
What an INSANE final matchday of Serie A to conclude one of the craziest seasons in recent memory.
Wouldn’t expect anything less ?? pic.twitter.com/rG9oo7U6d4
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) May 23, 2021
Full Time: Heartbreak at the Maradona Stadium
Despite their last second attempt, Napoli fail to score, and their encounter with Verona ends in a 1-1 draw. Milan seal the second spot with a great 2-0 win against Atalanta, and Juventus complete an incredible escape in the final few rounds, securing the 4th place thanks to a 4-1 victory at Bologna.
2- Milan 79
3- Atalanta 78
4- Juventus 78
5- Napoli 77
Qualified: Milan, Juventus
Minute 90: Kessié Again
The midfielder scores his second spot kick of the night to seal it for the Rossoneri.
2- Milan 79
3- Atalanta 78
4- Juventus 78
5- Napoli 77
Currently qualified: Milan, Juventus
Minute 86: Bologna Wake Up
Bologna scored the meaningless goal ever through Ricardo Orsolini to make it 4-1 against Juventus. On the other hand, Napoli are still desperately trying to reclaim the lead against Verona.
2- Milan 79
3- Atalanta 78
4- Juventus 78
5- Napoli 77
Currently qualified: Milan, Juventus
Minute 82: The Final Moments
Yes we’re still alive, but much going on at the moment. Nonetheless, brace yourselves for the final ten minutes or so!
2- Milan 79
3- Atalanta 78
4- Juventus 78
5- Napoli 77
Currently qualified: Milan, Juventus
Minute 68: Verona Levels
Amazing scenes at the Maradona. Napoli’s lead was a short lived one as Davide Faraoni’s brilliant run from the right wing ends with the equalizer. Juventus are once again in the magical zone.
2- Milan 79
3- Atalanta 78
4- Juventus 78
5- Napoli 77
Currently qualified: Milan, Juventus
Minute 61: Napoli Finally Score
Amir Rrahmani is apologetic after scoring against his former club. Gennaro Gattuso and Ivan Juric are arguing on the sidelines as the goal was being reviewed. Nonetheless, it stands, and Napoli throw Juventus out of the Top 4 for the moment.
2- Milan 79
3- Napoli 79
4- Atalanta 78
5- Juventus 78
Currently qualified: Milan, Napoli
Minute 48: Morata Brace
Morata brilliantly controls the ball, runs with it and sends a low shot towards the bottom corner. Juventus are now winning 4-0 against poor Bologna – who may or may not care at all.
2- Milan 79
3- Atalanta 78
4- Juventus 78
5- Napoli 77
Currently qualified: Juventus, Milan
Europa League Watch
Before the start of the second half, let’s take a look at the Champions League’s slightly uglier sister. Roma are losing against the almighty Spezia, whilst Sassuolo are winning 1-0 against (you guessed who) Lazio, which means that the Neroverdi are currently in 7th place, earning a spot within the Europa League’s qualifying rounds.
Half-Time Talk
Despite dominating possession, Atalanta find themselves trailing against Milan. Juventus have been the most impressive side tonight, putting three goals in Bologna’s net, but they will still have to rely on other scores.
Napoli had the best odds on paper, but their goalless score against Verona so far puts them outside the Champions League zone.
Minute 42: Kessié Scores Penalty
Franck Kessié coolly drills home a penalty against his former club. Milan’s opener puts them in second place in the league table. Oh and Rabiot adds the third for Juventus, but will it be enough for the Old Lady by the end of the night?
2- Milan 79
3- Atalanta 78
4- Juventus 78
5- Napoli 77
Currently qualified: Juventus, Milan
Minute 30: Dybala Magic
Juventus got their second of the night. Paulo Dybala dribbles his way through the Bologna defenses and sets up the easiest of goals for Alvaro Morata with a spectacular chip.
3- Juventus 78
4- Milan 77
5- Napoli 77
Currently qualified: Juventus, Milan
Minute 5: Chiesa Scores
And we have our first goal of the night in courtesy of Federico Chiesa. Adrien Rabiot hits the woodwork but the Italian bounces on the rebound.
Great start for the Bianconeri, who are temporarily third. Napoli are currently on the outside. Will they manage to respond soon?
3- Juventus 78
4- Milan 77
5- Napoli 77
Currently qualified: Juventus, Milan
Official Lineups – Pirlo’s Shocker
Andrea Pirlo unleashed four men in attack, but shockingly, none of them is named Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar remains on the bench, apparently for “tactical reasons”. An awkward start to the night.
Anyways, here are the full formations.
Bologna: Skorupski; Tomiyasu, Medel, Soumaoro, De Silvestri; Schouten, Svanberg; Skov Olsen, Vignato, Barrow; Palacio
Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado, De Ligt, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Kulusevski, Danilo, Rabiot, Chiesa; Dybala, Morata
Atalanta: Gollini; Toloi, Romero, Djimsiti; Maehle, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Malinovskyi; Pessina, Duvan Zapata
Milan: G Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Bennacer, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Calhanoglu; Leao
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Rrahmani, Hysaj; Fabian Ruiz, Bakayoko; Lozano, Zielinski, L Insigne; Osimhen
Verona: Pandur; Ceccherini, Gunter, Dimarco; Faraoni, Dawidowicz, Ilic, Lazovic; Bessa, Zaccagni; Kalinic