Calcio fans who tuned up for the weekend were not left disappointed (unless they were fans of Milan, Juventus or Roma). Inter are about to mathematically seal the Scudetto title, whilst Crotone took down Parma with them to Serie B, but everything else is still up for grabs. So here are the Top 5 Stories from Serie A Round 33.
Replicated Victory
After taking their foot off the gas with two draws, Inter were back to winning ways by beating the resilient Hellas Verona at home, and boy has there ever been a more Déjà vu display?!
After struggling for an opener for most of the match, Achraf Hakimi delivered the assist for Matteo Darmian, who sealed the winner in the 76th minute – which is exactly what happened during the Nerazzurri’s last win against Cagliari two weeks ago.
Thus, even when the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez are taking a breather from scoring goals, Antonio Conte can still rely on some less likely heroes.
This season, #Inter have won all the 4 matches where Matteo #Darmian has scored (1 #ChampionsLeague and 3 #SerieATIM).#Football pic.twitter.com/JxEnVsOYZT
— The Counter Attack (@TheCounterAtta3) April 26, 2021
Benevento Could Pay the Price
One goes up, and another goes down. These are the rules of nature. Seemingly out of nowhere, Cagliari have put together a 3-match winning streak, with Roma being their latest victims.
With the Sardinians on the right track to pull off a remarkable escape from the abyss, Benevento could end up replacing them in the Serie A relegation following their round 33 defeat at the hands of Udinese.
The latest version of the #SerieATIM League Table, after Matchday 33. ?
Use a GIF to describe your mood! ??#WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/owj13tWSKm
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 26, 2021
Fonseca Feeling Roman Heat
As we mentioned above, the Giallorossi succumbed at the hands of Cagliari on Sunday in a 3-2 result.
We do realize that the Romans are Calcio’s last remaining hope in Europe, and their minds are already in Manchester, but Paulo Fonseca’s men risk missing out on European football altogether next season, with Sassuolo closing in on the 7th spot.
A harsh defeat at the hands of the Red Devils would definitely seal the fate of the Portuguese manager.
#Roma Making Strong Run at Maurizio Sarri to Anticipate Tottenham https://t.co/RxOirWibLb via @cultofcalcio
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) April 26, 2021
Atalanta Ruing Their Serie A Start
As witnessed during the Round 33 destruction of Bologna, Atalanta have found their menacing form once again, reclaiming their position as the official bogeyman of Serie A.
La Dea’s start of the season had been a relatively slow one – splitting their energy between the domestic tournament and the Champions League.
Nonetheless, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are showcasing their full force at the moment, claiming the second place in the table for now, and leaving their fans wondering what they could have achieved had they started the campaign in a similar fashion.
Ruslan #Malinovskyi has contributed 4 goals and 6 assists in his last six #SerieATIM matches. Super Ukraine!#AtalantaBologna #Football pic.twitter.com/AsFvwAMRqh
— The Counter Attack (@TheCounterAtta3) April 26, 2021
Lazio Light Up Champions League Battle
On Round 33, the battle for Champions League spots took a major twist when Joaquin Correa and Lazio tortured Milan at the Olimpico.
Napoli easily shrugged off Torino as expected, and Juventus wasted two valuable points against Fiorentina (as expected?), but the capital clash left the team that was considered to be the Scudetto favorite at the start of the year, outside of the Top 4 for the first time this season.
Moreover, this result allowed Simone Inzaghi’s men to re-enter the fold, in what is expected to be an epic fight until the very end.
3 – Lazio have won 10 consecutive Serie A matches at home for the third time in their history, after 1937 and 1974. Train.#SerieA #LazioMilan pic.twitter.com/f9yZO18eBB
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 26, 2021