As our favorite epic-drama series is reaching its season finale, the penultimate episode surely didn’t disappoint. Whilst the capital Derby was a straight-forward affair, the Derby d’Italia was anything but. On the other hand, one team sealed its qualification for next season’s edition of the Champions League, another got closer, while a third one completely blew a golden opportunity. Here are Top 5 Stories from Serie A Round 37.
It’s Atalanta Once Again
Two years ago, Atalanta shocked the Calcio world when they qualified for the first time in their history for the Champions League at the expense of Milan. Needless to say, the celebrations in Bergamo were crazy at the time.
Fast forward to 2021, La Dea sealed a third straight qualification for the competition after warding off a late Genoa comeback in Serie A round 37.
Even though Gian Piero Gasperini’s men definitely enjoyed the achievement, but the occasion was curiously rarely mentioned, which lead us to a certain conclusion.
The Orobici are no longer perceived as the underdogs, they are now a reality, and their place within the elite is cemented in the table, as well as in the minds of Serie A fans.
Atalanta secure a Champions League spot for the third season in a row ? ?⚫️ pic.twitter.com/roQDZs0JdB
— 433 (@433) May 15, 2021
Weekend to Forget for the Inzaghis
Well, let’s just say that this was a tough round for the Inzaghi brothers. On Saturday, Simone’s Lazio lost the Derby della Capitale to their eternal foes Roma in a 2-0 result, and we all know how important this fixture is for the fans of both clubs.
The next day, Filippo’s Benevento wasted two valuable points when Simy equalized for Crotone in the third minute of added time, leaving the Sorcerers’ hope hanging by a small thread.
Luckily for Pippo, his younger sibling could yet play a part in his team’s survival, because if Lazio manage to beat Torino in the previously-postponed fixture, Benevento would then have the chance to pull off a great escape if the win their encounter against the Granata on the final day of the season.
3 goals in 3 matches‼
Henrikh #Mkhitaryan has scored in three #SerieATIM games in a row, including his first ever goal in Rome Derby earlier today.Is he telling Jose Mourinho that he should be treated as an important figure in the squad next season?#RomaLazio #Football pic.twitter.com/FoSSbfJxUJ
— The Counter Attack (@TheCounterAtta3) May 16, 2021
Finally Some Grinta
After witnessing a bland and soulless Juventus side for the majority of the Serie A campaign, Andrea Pirlo’s men finally displayed some good old-fashioned Grinta when they rallied to beat their hated rivals Inter in the famous Derby d’Italia on round 37, all despite playing with a man down for most of the second half.
Whilst some would rather discuss the questionable refereeing decisions that haunted both sides, or whether or not the crowned champions tried their best, but it must be said, that had the Bianconeri fought like they did on Saturday throughout the season, then they wouldn’t have found themselves facing the threat of missing out on Champions League football next term.
Juventus vs. Inter:
1-0: Ronaldo, 24’
1-1: Lukaku, pen. 35’
2-1: Cuadrado, 45+3’
?: Bentancur, 55’
?: Pirlo subs off Ronaldo, 70’
2-2: Chiellini, og 83’
3-2: Cuadrado, pen. 88’
?: Brozovic, 90+2’Juve scrapping for their lives to reach next season’s Champions League ? pic.twitter.com/RDXSSje5y4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 15, 2021
Show Must Go On
In round 37, Sassuolo maintained their hopes of leapfrogging Roma for a Europa League spot by beating their Emilian rivals Parma who are now at the very bottom of the Serie A table.
Neroverdi coach Roberto De Zerbi announced his departure from the club by the end of the season, and this has definitely left the fans of the club, as well as those who enjoy their thrilling style of football, worried about the future of the club.
Therefore, we’re hoping that Sassuolo appoints a manager who’s willing to adopt the heritage left by the departing coach, and continue to produce an entertaining brand of football at the Mapei stadium.
Roberto De Zerbi will be the new Shakhtar Donetsk head coach, confirmed. The agreement has been completed until June 2023 – he’s leaving Sassuolo to join Shakhtar, nothing serious with OL. ‘Here we go’ expected soon. ?? #Shakhtar
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 16, 2021
Wasted Match-Point
On Sunday night, Milan had Champions League qualification within their grasp in Serie A round 37. All they had to do is beat a Cagliari side that had just been relieved by the news of securing mathematical safety after Benevento’s draw with Crotone – The Sardinian’s coach Leonardo Semplici even admitted that his players enjoyed few bottles in the afternoon.
Nonetheless, the Rossoblu put up a solid shift and held out against a toothless Rossoneri side, who looked anything but the team that ran over Torino few days earlier.
After wasting this golden opportunity, the Diavolo will probably have to beat Atalanta – a team that they found very little success against in their past few encounters – otherwise, they will only have themselves to blame for this unexpected botch-job.
30 – #ACMilan have only picked up 30 points in home games in the current Serie A campaign, a negative record for the Rossoneri in home matches considering the seasons with 20 teams in the top-flight. Blackout.#SerieA #MilanCagliari pic.twitter.com/vFMNU6vRVO
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 17, 2021