It was an astonishingly dramatic afternoon, as when Empoli thought it was done with the M’Baye Niang penalty, Lazar Samardzic converted a spot-kick at the 104^th minute for Udinese.

This was a pure relegation dogfight that all the other teams kept a close eye on too, as they were separated by just one point. The Friulani gave themselves hope by beating Lecce under new coach Fabio Cannavaro, but were without Sandi Lovric, Enzo Ebosse, Florian Thauvin, Marco Silvestri and Gerard Deulofeu. Tyronne Ebuehi was the only remaining Empoli absentee.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

There was an immediate problem for the hosts, as Isaac Success pulled up clutching the back of his right thigh and had to make way for Brenner.

Sebastiano Luperto was decisive to prevent Lorenzo Lucca nodding in a cross, then as the move continued the Walace shot was fingertipped over by Elia Caprile.

Empoli also suffered an injury to Alberto Cerri on his return to the starting XI, but they had the ball in the net on 36 minutes.

A free kick was floated into the box, not cleared effectively and Youssef Maleh smashed it in off the underside of the bar. However, it was disallowed following a VAR review for the M’Baye Niang elbow on Thomas Kristensen’s nose.

Udinese had a massive opportunity to go in front on 57 minutes when Lucca’s cross found substitute Keinan Davis for a header back across the face of goal, but he incredibly steered it wide from six yards.

Sebastian Walukiewicz made a decisive sliding tackle on Davis at the by-line, but the decisive moment arrived at the 89^th minute when Lazar Samardzic was late to clearing a loose ball and caught Nicolò Cambiaghi instead for a penalty. Niang kissed the ball before converting low into the near bottom corner, despite Maduka Okoye getting his fingertips to it.

However, it still wasn’t over, because deep into stoppages on a corner, Jaka Bijol’s tap-in was parried off the line by Elia Caprile and Martin Payero couldn’t turn in the rebound because he was being dragged back by the jersey by Jacopo Fazzini. After a very long wait for VAR issues, the Udinese penalty was awarded and Samardzic kept his cool to convert.

This goal after 14 minutes of stoppages changed everything, pushing Empoli back into the drop zone. Udinese now go into the final showdown with Frosinone.

Udinese 1-1 Empoli

Niang pen 90 (E), Samardzic pen 104 (U)

19-05-2024 14:00

MatchDay 37

Friuli Stadium (Dacia Arena)

Udinese

Empoli

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		4'		Alberto Grassi
Nehuén Pérez		34'

2nd half

		54'		Simone Bastoni
		64'		Ardian Ismajli
		75'		Emmanuel Gyasi
Lazar Samardzic		90+14'
		90'		M’Baye Niang
		90+6'		Razvan Marin
		90+13'		Jacopo Fazzini

Match statistic

46

Possession %

54

9

Total shots

4

3

Shots on target

1

5

Shots off target

2

1

Blocked shots

1

5

Corners

5

1

Offsides

3

14

Fouls

18

Udinese

Empoli

Starting lineups

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

12

Hassane Kamara

Defender

87'

29

Jaka Bijol

Defender

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

55'

18

Nehuén Pérez

Defender

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

24

Lazar Samardzic

Midfielder

32

Martín Payero

Midfielder

11

Walace

Midfielder

87'

7

Isaac Success

Attacker

7'

17

Lorenzo Lucca

Attacker

25

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

34

Ardian Ismajli

Defender

19

Bartosz Bereszynski

Defender

59'

3

Giuseppe Pezzella

Defender

33

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

5

Alberto Grassi

Midfielder

80'

30

Simone Bastoni

Midfielder

59'

29

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

17

Alberto Cerri

Attacker

30'

11

Emmanuel Gyasi

Attacker

20

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

81'

Substitutes

37

Roberto Pereyra

Midfielder

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

33

Jordan Zemura

Defender

14

James Abankwah

Defender

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

79

David Pejičić

Midfielder

16

Antonio Tikvic

Defender

30

Lautaro Giannetti

Defender

70

Federico Mosca

Goalkeeper

2

Festy Ebosele

Defender

55'

22

Brenner

Attacker

9

Keinan Davis

Attacker

55'

13

João Ferreira

Defender

87'

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

87'

23

Mattia Destro

Attacker

27

Szymon Zurkowski

Midfielder

13

Liberato Cacace

Defender

9

Francesco Caputo

Attacker

8

Viktor Kovalenko

Midfielder

1

Samuele Perisan

Goalkeeper

12

Jacopo Seghetti

Goalkeeper

7

Stiven Shpendi

Attacker

2

Saba Goglichidze

Defender

10

M’Baye Niang

Attacker

30'

21

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

59'

4

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

59'

18

Razvan Marin

Midfielder

80'

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

81'

Walid Cheddira took Frosinone closer to guaranteeing their Serie A status with victory away to Monza, their first away win in a year.

The hosts were stuttering towards the finish line after securing mid-table comfort and with Raffaele Palladino expected to leave this summer. Absentees included Patrick Ciurria, Jose Machin and Davide Bettella. The Canarini were tied with Empoli in the relegation zone and desperate, missing Luca Mazzitelli, Anthony Oyono, Stefano Turati and Sergio Kalaj.

See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.

Milan Djuric nodded an Andrea Colpani cross over in the opening minutes, while Caleb Okoye turned wide from a corner at the other end.

Frosinone opened the scoring when Abdou Harroui got down the left and stood up a cross for the Walid Cheddira cushioned header at the back post.

Harroui fired wide moments later, then forced an outstretched boot save from Stefano Sorrentino when sent through by Emanuele Valeri.

Andrea Colpani thought he had equalised on the stroke of half-time, only to nod the Dany Mota Carvalho cross onto the base of the far post.

Cheddira slipped at the last moment to waste a counter-attack, but play was halted for several minutes when communication with the VAR hub in Lissone broke down. They resumed play at the 61^st minute still without VAR, needing both teams to agree to that and a statement read out in the stadium.

During this nine-minute blackout, Frosinone almost doubled their lead, as Matias Soule’s angled drive bounced off the base of the far post and Alessandro Sorrentino parried the Harroui follow-up too.

Nadir Zortea tested Sorrentino from distance and Valentin Carboni fired over from a tricky angle, but Gianluca Caprari should’ve done better drilling just wide in stoppages.

Monza 0-1 Frosinone

Cheddira 9 (F)

19-05-2024 14:00

MatchDay 37

Stadio Brianteo (U-Power Stadium)

Monza

Frosinone

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		9'		Walid Cheddira (Assist: Abdou Harroui)
Warren Bondo		28'

2nd half

		47'		Matìas Soulé
		90+2'		Francesco Gelli

Match statistic

71

Possession %

29

14

Total shots

16

2

Shots on target

5

7

Shots off target

6

5

Blocked shots

5

3

Corners

4

14

Fouls

13

Monza

Frosinone

Starting lineups

23

Alessandro Sorrentino

Goalkeeper

4

Armando Izzo

Defender

46'

77

Georgios Kyriakopoulos

Defender

46'

22

Pablo Marí

Defender

19

Samuele Birindelli

Defender

79'

28

Andrea Colpani

Midfielder

32

Matteo Pessina

Midfielder

6

Roberto Gagliardini

Midfielder

38

Warren Bondo

Midfielder

46'

47

Dany Mota

Attacker

65'

11

Milan Djuric

Attacker

31

Michele Cerofolini

Goalkeeper

5

Caleb Okoli

Defender

32

Emanuele Valeri

Defender

19

Nadir Zortea

Defender

20

Pol Lirola

Defender

6

Simone Romagnoli

Defender

21

Abdou Harroui

Midfielder

72'

45

Enzo Barrenechea

Midfielder

86'

4

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

90'

70

Walid Cheddira

Attacker

86'

Substitutes

8

Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro

Midfielder

9

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

2

Giulio Donati

Defender

5

Luca Caldirola

Defender

62

Andrea Mazza

Goalkeeper

80

Samuele Vignato

Midfielder

66

Stefano Gori

Goalkeeper

61

Andrea Ferraris

Attacker

33

Danilo D’Ambrosio

Defender

46'

20

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

46'

21

Valentín Carboni

Midfielder

46'

10

Gianluca Caprari

Attacker

65'

13

Pedro Pereira

Midfielder

79'

3

Riccardo Marchizza

Defender

9

Kaio Jorge

Attacker

33

Kevin Bonifazi

Defender

16

Luca Garritano

Midfielder

37

Lorenzo Palmisani

Goalkeeper

30

Ilario Monterisi

Defender

36

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

1

Pierluigi Frattali

Goalkeeper

27

Arijon Ibrahimovic

Attacker

47

Mateus Henrique Vanelli Lusuardi

Defender

29

Farès Ghedjemis

Attacker

14

Francesco Gelli

Midfielder

72'

12

Reinier

Midfielder

86'

11

Marvin Cuni

Attacker

86'

7

Jaime Báez

Attacker

90'

It is a very strange atmosphere at San Siro, where Inter celebrate the Scudetto against a Lazio side chasing Europe, but also fear the club will be repossessed within 48 hours.

It kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

The situation is surreal, as the Serie A trophy will be presented to the team after the final whistle, but all eyes are on the club owners in China.

Suning have until the end of Monday to repay the €395m including interest loan to Oaktree or see the club repossessed, just like Elliott Management with Milan and Yonghong Li in 2019.

As for the match itself, Simone Inzaghi has a full squad and uses his best XI, with Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu.

Lazio are battling Roma for sixth place and Europa League qualification, although it could potentially still be the Champions League depending on what Atalanta do in Dublin.

Ivan Provedel returns two months after spraining his ankle, while Luis Alberto is also back in the squad following his disciplinary action.

Alessio Romagnoli is suspended, but there is a totally revamped attack with Daichi Kamada and Mattia Zaccagni supporting Taty Castellanos.

Inter vs. Lazio line-ups

Inter: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Thuram

Lazio: Provedel; Patric, Casale, Gila; Marusic, Vecino, Rovella, Pellegrini; Kamada, Zaccagni; Castellanos

19-05-2024 17:00

MatchDay 37

San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Inter

Lazio

vs

Season Analytics

Inter

Positions

Lazio

SEASON TOTAL

INT HOME

14

3

1

29

5

2

Last matches

10-05-2024		Frosinone	W	0 - 5
04-05-2024		Sassuolo	L	1 - 0
28-04-2024		Torino	W	2 - 0
22-04-2024		Milan	W	1 - 2
14-04-2024		Cagliari	D	2 - 2

28-04-2024		Torino	W	2 - 0
14-04-2024		Cagliari	D	2 - 2
01-04-2024		Empoli	W	2 - 0
17-03-2024		Napoli	D	1 - 1
04-03-2024		Genoa	W	2 - 1

1

7

Position

SEASON TOTAL

LAZ AWAY

8

2

8

18

5

13

Last matches

	2 - 0	W	Empoli		12-05-2024
	2 - 2	D	Monza		04-05-2024
	1 - 0	W	Verona		27-04-2024
	0 - 1	W	Genoa		19-04-2024
	4 - 1	W	Salernitana		12-04-2024

	2 - 2	D	Monza		04-05-2024
	0 - 1	W	Genoa		19-04-2024
	1 - 0	L	Roma		06-04-2024
	2 - 3	W	Frosinone		16-03-2024
	2 - 1	L	Fiorentina		26-02-2024

Cagliari have guaranteed their Serie A safety after Matteo Prati and Gianluca Lapadula grab victory at the Mapei Stadium, as Sassuolo are now on the verge of relegation.

This was a huge battle to avoid the drop, as the Neroverdi were in penultimate place, but only four points behind the Sardinians. Domenico Berardi and Samu Castillejo were still out of action, while Jakub Jankto and Antoine Makoumbou didn’t make the trip, but Gianluca Gaetano and Tommaso Augello returned from suspension.

There were 4,000 Cagliari fans at the Mapei Stadium, knowing a win would guarantee their Serie A status.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Ruan Tressoldi risked a disaster in the opening six minutes, mis-kicking a clearance and then bundling into Gianluca Lapadula, but the striker went down too easily in the penalty area.

Martin Erlic hobbled off with a bruise to the small of the back, but Sassuolo had the first real chance with Andrea Pinamonti steering a free header inches wide.

Gianluca Lapadula saw his angled drive flash across the face of goal to skim the far post and Eldor Shomurodov fired over. Cagliari started to push after the restart, the Gabriele Zappa strike smothered by Andrea Consigli and Zito Luvumbo hesitating on the counter-attack.

Lapadula was brought down in the box, but only after wandering offside, and Pinamonti’s acrobatic bicycle kick flashed off target.

Cagliari took the lead in front of their many away fans when a free kick was pumped into the box, the Lapadula strike was charged down and Yerry Mina eventually laid it off for substitute Matteo Prati to drill home.

Ibrahim Sulemana should’ve added a second, firing wide when set up by a Nahitan Nandez solo run down the right.

Cagliari did seal it when Marash Kumbulla was surprised by an odd bobble on the pitch and clattered into Lapadula for a penalty, which Lapadula converted, even though Yerry Mina had wanted to take it.

The Sassuolo situation got to Matheus Henrique, who was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, both for dissent. They could even be mathematically relegated this afternoon.

Sassuolo 0-2 Cagliari

Prati 71 (C), Lapadula pen 91 (C)

Sent off: Matheus Henrique 93 (S)

19-05-2024 11:30

MatchDay 37

Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore

Sassuolo

Cagliari

0 - 2

Player statistic

2nd half

Kristian Thorstvedt		54'
		61'		Alessandro Deiola
		71'		Matteo Prati (Assist: Alberto Dossena)
		76'		Alberto Dossena
Andrea Pinamonti		79'
Matheus Henrique		90+3'
Matheus Henrique		90+3'
		90+1'		Gianluca Lapadula

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

7

Total shots

13

Shots on target

3

4

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

5

5

Corners

6

1

Offsides

8

14

Fouls

9

Sassuolo

Cagliari

Starting lineups

47

Andrea Consigli

Goalkeeper

2

Filippo Missori

Defender

46'

13

Gian Marco Ferrari

Defender

43

Josh Doig

Defender

5

Martin Erlic

Defender

19'

44

Ruan Tressoldi

Defender

62'

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

57'

7

Matheus Henrique

Midfielder

6

Uros Racic

Midfielder

57'

9

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

22

Simone Scuffet

Goalkeeper

4

Alberto Dossena

Defender

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

27

Tommaso Augello

Defender

86'

26

Yerry Mina

Defender

14

Alessandro Deiola

Midfielder

67'

70

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

67'

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

8

Nahitan Nández

Midfielder

89'

61

Eldor Shomurodov

Attacker

46'

9

Gianluca Lapadula

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

21

Mattia Viti

Defender

11

Nedim Bajrami

Midfielder

28

Alessio Cragno

Goalkeeper

22

Jeremy Toljan

Defender

25

Gianluca Pegolo

Goalkeeper

15

Emil Konradsen Ceide

Attacker

8

Samuele Mulattieri

Attacker

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

19

Marash Kumbulla

Defender

19'

92

Grégoire Defrel

Attacker

46'

14

Pedro Obiang

Midfielder

57'

24

Daniel Boloca

Midfielder

57'

3

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

62'

18

Simone Aresti

Goalkeeper

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

1

Boris Radunović

Goalkeeper

32

Andrea Petagna

Attacker

5

Marco Mancosu

Midfielder

23

Mateusz Wieteska

Defender

17

Pantelis Chatzidiakos

Defender

37

Paulo Azzi

Attacker

19

Gaetano Oristanio

Midfielder

34

Kingstone Mutandwa

Attacker

77

Zito Luvumbo

Attacker

46'

10

Nicolas Viola

Midfielder

67'

16

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

67'

33

Adam Obert

Defender

86'

99

Alessandro Di Pardo

Defender

89'

Check the official line-ups for this afternoon’s Serie A games with two big relegation dogfights, Udinese–Empoli and Monza-Frosinone.

They both kick off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from all today’s five Serie A matches on the LIVEBLOG.

These are crucial fixtures for the battle against relegation, especially when Udinese and Empoli go head-to-head.

The situation is extremely tight near the bottom, as there are six teams in a five-point radius and two of them will go down along with Salernitana.

Serie A Week 37

Monza vs. Frosinone

Monza: Sorrentino; Birindelli, Izzo, Pablo Mari, Kyriakopoulos; Bondo, Pessina, Gagliardini; Colpani, Mota Carvalho; Djuric

Frosinone: Cerofolini; Lirola, Romagnoli, Okoli; Zortea, Barrenechea, Brescianini, Valeri; Soule, Harroui; Cheddira

Udinese vs. Empoli

Udinese: Okoye; Perez, Bijol, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Walace, Payero, Kamara; Success, Samardzic; Lucca

Empoli: Caprile; Bereszynski, Ismajli, Luperto; Gyasi, Bastoni, Grassi, Maleh, Pezzella; Cancellieri, Cerri

Stefano Pioli hit out at Milan critics and reminded them how things improved since he took over five years ago. ‘People act like second place is suddenly shoddy.’

The coach is under contract until June 2025, but it has been known for months now that he will be fired at the end of the season.

This search for a successor drags on through the media and is on the front pages every day, but Pioli is frustrated at his treatment.

“It was a good season, we were the best of the ‘normal’ teams behind an Inter side who did something extraordinary,” Pioli told DAZN.

“Our regrets are in the Champions League and Europa League, but that’s what those tournaments are like, if you don’t take your chance in that moment, you can go out.

“Just look at Borussia Dortmund, who finished 25 points behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, yet will play in the Champions League Final.”

The Pioli era at Milan

Pioli was hired in October 2019 and took them to an entirely unexpected Scudetto in 2022, where he was also named Coach of the Year.

Last season he took the Rossoneri to the Champions League semi-final, losing to rivals Inter, and this term already has second place locked down in Serie A.

“Over these years, we raised everyone’s expectations and now people act like second place is suddenly shoddy. You know full well that is not the case. Only one team can win.”

While he would seem to be on the way out, Pioli did get a tattoo of the Scudetto symbol on his arm.

“This remains. Honestly, I wanted to wait until next week to sum up the experience, but I think I can say one thing. I evaluate my work based on what condition I find a team in and then again when I leave.

“I arrived with Milan in one situation and I leave – if I leave – with Milan in quite another. The rest is just lots of talk and not much content.”

In his four full seasons at the club, Pioli’s Serie A finishes were two second places, one Scudetto and fourth in 2022-23.

Before he took charge, the last time they managed second place was in 2011-12 and their most recent title was in 2010-11.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Inter, celebration and chaos

At San Siro against Lazio to celebrate the Scudetto

Zhang accuses the fund Oaktree: ‘They put the future of the club at risk’

But the owners could hand it over

Toro for the Cups

Milan flattened, now Europe is closer

Atalanta in the Champions League

Motta, the final clash against Juve

Allegri in court?

Tomorrow against Bologna

Il Corriere dello Sport

Zhang’s surrender

On Tuesday the deadline for the 375m loan: no extensions

‘Stability is at risk’

Oaktree have Inter in hand

Steven’s concerns: ‘Every effort to reach an amicable solution has been exasperated by legal threats. We want to protect the club colours’

This evening there is Lazio

‘I will decide after the Final’

Gasp takes the Dea into the Champions League: Napoli are waiting

Atalanta win 2-0 in Lecce

Coach: ‘What counts for me is the challenge. Future? Bayer first’

Toro crush Milan (3-1): they are now ninth

Roma–Genoa

De Rossi raises the bar: ‘Something has to change’

‘A strong coach gets the players he wants. For six years this team hasn’t gone beyond fifth place’

Guardiola: a poker to enter history

If Manchester City beat West Ham, Pep will win his fourth consecutive Premier League title

Sprint finish with Arsenal

Tuttosport

Motta’s Juve? French style

Reinforcements, tactical system: project ready to take flight

Todibo and Thuram of Nice are objectives for defence and midfield

Meanwhile Montero prepares to lead the team in Bologna

His maxim: ‘Fairness matters in life, but in football I have to win’

Fantastic Next Gen: 3-1 in Caserta, progress in the play-offs

Zhang’s star is shattered

From the Scudetto to chaos within the club: Inter towards a turning point

No agreement with Pimco: this adventure is on its last legs

Strong Suning statement against Oaktree, who are ready to take control of the club and confirm faith in management guided by Marotta

Atalanta in the Champions League

Rejoice, Toro! Europe is right there

Milan flattened (3-1) and Napoli leapfrogged

Zapata, Ilic and Rodriguez seal a fabulous Granata night

Now they need to win in Bergamo to be certain of 9^th place

And then hope Fiorentina triumph in the Conference League Final

Banners against Cairo and players

Juric: ‘I won’t change my mind, there is too little joy here and too much controversy’

If Fiorentina win the Conference League Final against Olympiacos and finish outside the top eight, then it would open up another European spot in Serie A.

The Viola will go head-to-head with Olympiacos in Athens for the 2024 Conference League Final on May 29.

Whoever wins that trophy gains automatic access to the Europa League for the 2024-25 campaign.

Therefore, if Fiorentina win while finishing outside the top eight, then they will be the ninth team to qualify for a UEFA competition next season.

However, all they need are two points from their remaining two Serie A matches against Cagliari and Atalanta to guarantee eighth place.

So in order for Torino or even Napoli to snatch that Conference League qualifying spot, they would need the Viola to falter.

Fiorentina on track for eighth place

As things stand, Fiorentina are on 54 points with a game in hand, followed by Torino on 53 and Napoli 52.

The Tuscans will not complete their Serie A campaign until June 2 against Atalanta, as that game was called off at the last minute in March when director Joe Barone collapsed at the team hotel, dying two days later.

It was simply not possible to reschedule it before then due to the packed fixture list of both teams.

As things stand, the top five go into the Champions League, sixth and seventh the Europa League and eighth the Conference League.

Ivan Juric insists that even if Torino qualify for Europe after beating Milan 3-1, it will not change his decision to leave. ‘There is no joy here.’

The Granata knew they needed a victory to keep their slender hopes of European qualification alive and achieved it, slicing the Rossoneri defence open with Duvan Zapata and Ivan Ilic free headers.

Ricardo Rodriguez then hit a screamer off the underside of the crossbar just 18 seconds into the second half, though Adam Masina’s futile foul on Christian Pulisic allowed Ismael Bennacer to convert a penalty for the 3-1 final result.

Toro had not put three goals past Milan in a Serie A match since April 1959.

“It was a good performance, we wanted to win, now we are up there and will try to get a victory in the last game too,” Juric told Sky Sport Italia.

“We recovered this season after a shaky start and are satisfied.”

Juric calls time on Torino career

This was the final home game of the season and also the last for Juric as coach of the Granata, because he is expected to walk away when his contract expires on June 30.

Could qualifying for Europe change his mind about this?

“No, there simply aren’t the right conditions to continue here. I like unity, but even with a fabulous season here there was non-stop controversy and criticism. I would like more joy and there isn’t joy here.

“There were protests all the time, against the President too, but it was a bit of everything. You try to change things, but after a while you realise it’s pointless. It was right for us to try to go for Europe, we had a fantastic three years.

“We had a good time together working with the players, it was all the rest that was disappointing.”

This means Torino leapfrog Napoli into ninth place and can qualify for the Conference League if they either overtake Fiorentina too, or if the Viola win the Conference League Final against Olympiacos on May 29 and therefore go into the Europa League instead.

Catanzaro needed a dramatic comeback and 4-2 extra time victory over Brescia with Pietro Iemmello’s brace to book a Serie B promotion play-off semi-final against Cremonese.

The Serie B play-off semi-finals are now set with Palermo-Venezia and Catanzaro-Cremonese to be played over two legs.

It took the Rondinelle just eight minutes to take the lead, as Gabriele Moncini knocked down the Dimitri Bisoli long ball for Nicolas Galazzi to bundle over the line from close range.

The hosts thought they had equalised with Jari Vandeputte, but his strike off the outside of the right boot thumped the upright.

It was only a warning, as moments later Pietro Iemmello spun round in the box to fire left-footed into the net.

Iemmello almost turned it around completely, denied by a Luca Lezzerini fingertip save at the top corner, and instead Moncini restored Brescia’s advantage by pouncing on a defensive slip.

Just as it looked as if the game would end 2-1 for Brescia, Catanzaro equalised deep into stoppages with Alfredo Donnarumma’s header on a corner to force extra time.

Due to the play-off rules, if it was still level after extra time, then Catanzaro would go through as they finished higher up the Serie B table in the regular season.

Serie B play-off in extra time

Andrea Fulignati denied the Lorenzo Dickmann strike and Davide Adorni nodded off target, but it was the hosts who turned it around through Enrico Brignola’s acrobatic finish.

Catanzaro goalkeeper Fulignati remained decisive on Bisoli, but then had to limp off at the 118^th minute with muscular problems.

Andrea Sala came on and was almost beaten within 60 seconds, as Giacomo Olzer got around him only to fire over the empty net.

Instead, Catanzaro added a fourth on the counter-attack with Iemmello, who dinked a delicate finish over the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Catanzaro 4-2 Brescia (aet)

Galazzi 8 (B), Iemmello 26, 121 (C), Moncini 52 (B), Donnarumma 96 (C), Brignola 105 (C)

18-05-2024 19:30

1/4 Final

Stadio Nicola Ceravolo

Catanzaro

Brescia

4 - 2

Player statistic

Enrico Brignola (Assist: Pietro Iemmello)		105'
Pietro Iemmello (Assist: Alfredo Donnarumma)		120+2'

1st half

		8'		Nicolas Galazzi (Assist: Gabriele Moncini)
Pietro Iemmello (Assist: Tommaso Biasci)		26'

2nd half

		52'		Gabriele Moncini
Stefano Scognamillo		60'
		67'		Gabriele Moncini
Pietro Iemmello		90+4'
Alfredo Donnarumma (Assist: Andrea Oliveri)		90+6'

Match statistic

60

Possession %

40

24

Total shots

17

9

Shots on target

8

11

Shots off target

6

4

Blocked shots

3

10

Corners

4

5

Offsides

3

18

Fouls

17

Catanzaro

Brescia

Starting lineups

1

Andrea Fulignati

Goalkeeper

118'

72

Davide Veroli

Defender

61'

4

Matias Antonini

Defender

23

Nicolò Brighenti

Defender

14

Stefano Scognamillo

Defender

24

Dimitrios Sounas

Midfielder

71'

10

Jacopo Petriccione

Midfielder

27

Jari Vandeputte

Midfielder

82'

20

Simone Pontisso

Midfielder

71'

9

Pietro Iemmello

Attacker

28

Tommaso Biasci

Attacker

71'

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

18

Alexander Jallow

Defender

15

Andrea Cistana

Defender

28

Davide Adorni

Defender

24

Lorenzo Dickmann

Defender

25

Dimitri Bisoli

Midfielder

4

Fabrizio Paghera

Midfielder

67'

39

Michele Besaggio

Midfielder

79'

9

Flavio Bianchi

Attacker

67'

11

Gabriele Moncini

Attacker

67'

23

Nicolas Galazzi

Attacker

99'

Substitutes

32

Luka Krajnc

Defender

21

Marco Pompetti

Midfielder

44

Kevin Miranda

Defender

22

Edoardo Borrelli

Goalkeeper

41

Alessandro Viotti

Attacker

40

Giacint Rafele

Attacker

16

Andrea Sala

Goalkeeper

118'

33

Andrea Oliveri

Midfielder

61'

99

Alfredo Donnarumma

Attacker

71'

8

Luca Verna

Midfielder

71'

19

Matteo Stoppa

Attacker

71'

17

Enrico Brignola

Attacker

82'

6

Mohamed Fares

Midfielder

22

Lorenzo Andrenacci

Goalkeeper

14

Massimiliano Mangraviti

Attacker

3

Matthieu Huard

Defender

21

Riccardo Fogliata

Midfielder

31

Matteo Ferro

Attacker

5

Tom van de Looi

Midfielder

67'

27

Giacomo Olzer

Midfielder

67'

26

Massimo Bertagnoli

Midfielder

79'

32

Andrea Papetti

Defender

85'

7

Birkir Bjarnason

Midfielder

20

Patrick Nuamah

Midfielder

99'

Stefano Pioli feels a 3-1 defeat to Torino is Milan’s season in a nutshell, but insists he has not spoken to Napoli, though his future has been speculated on for ‘too many months.’

The Rossoneri have nothing more to gain from this season and it showed, both in the choice of starting XI and the attitude as they were torn apart 3-1 by Torino.

Duvan Zapata and Ivan Ilic were allowed embarrassingly free headers in the first half, then Ricardo Rodriguez hit a scorcher in off the underside of the bar just 18 seconds into the restart.

Ismael Bennacer’s penalty for an Adam Masina foul on Christian Pulisic was little consolation.

“Even though the result is harsh considering they only had four shots on goal, we were distracted and not focused enough on those crosses in the first half,” Pioli confessed to Sky Sport Italia.

“We lost a lot of the individual duels and this is the direction the game went in. It’s not that we didn’t play, but they were more focused and determined in the incidents that decided the match.”

Does resting stars like Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud show that Milan still lack strength in depth, particularly compared to rivals Inter?

“We were the best of the ‘normal’ teams this season, as there was one team that did something extraordinary, and we did better than the others. It’s not about first choice players, but Torino gave it a bit more tonight that allowed them to get to the loose balls first, reach the crosses and headers first.”

Pioli tired of Milan and Napoli speculation

Next weekend will be Milan’s final match of the campaign and many expect the last on the bench for Pioli, so how is he feeling?

“It is the last game of the season and then we’ll see. People have been talking about this for many months, too many months, and the team did very well. It was not easy to follow a coach who was in this situation, so I congratulate them for that.

“There is a week to go, I’ll experience that week and then we’ll see.”

Did Pioli want Milan to be more forceful in defending him in the media over these months or did he feel abandoned by their silence?

“I did not have difficulties because the squad remained united and concentrated on the work. Inter did something exceptional, we did better than the others, so it was still a good season. There are regrets over the Champions League and Europa League, but for the rest we were up to the standards of everyone except for Inter.

“As a person, I tried to go through it with balance and to pass on that to the squad. I was not affected by things certain people said. I know my level and that everything in this world is exaggerated, so I just carried on along my path.”

If Milan score two goals against Salernitana at San Siro, it can be the best attacking tally for a Pioli side, but it is already the worst defensive record of his five years at the club.

“I think these are significant statistics. Tonight was an example of our whole season defensively, we allowed four opportunities and conceded three goals. I realise that conceding too many goals penalised us many times this season and was our biggest weakness.”

Does Pioli expect to be informed of his future before the final game so the Milan fans can give him a fitting salute?

“I am not angry with anyone. In my five years at Milan, we always met after the end of the season, so I don’t know what will happen next week.”

Having been linked with Napoli, Pioli was jokingly asked if he would prefer his next club to be in the south and perhaps by the sea?

“I have not spoken to any other club. If and when my rapport with Milan ends, but not before, as I have too much respect for this club and its fans. My contract still runs for another year, I’ve had five wonderful, intense years and I am just concentrated on ending the season.

“Then, if there are any situations, I will evaluate them.”

Torino sliced Milan’s defence apart with two free headers and a Ricardo Rodriguez scorcher to keep their European hopes alive and leapfrog Napoli into ninth place.

The Rossoneri continued to revamp after securing second place, leaving Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud on the bench, while Mike Maignan, Simon Kjaer, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Samuel Chukwueze were injured, Matteo Gabbia suspended and Theo Hernandez struggling with flu symptoms. Toro missed Nikola Vlasic, Koffi Djidji, Gvidas Gineitis and Perr Schuurs, but Alessandro Buongiorno and Duvan Zapata passed fitness tests.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Adrien Tameze wasted a golden opportunity when ballooning over undisturbed from 12 yards on the Pietro Pellegri pull-back, then Vanja Milinkovic-Savic intercepted the Noah Okafor assist for Christian Pulisic at the near post.

Okafor went so close with a curler inches past the far top corner after a Tijjani Reijnders counter-attack, but it was Toro who took the lead moments later.

Ricardo Rodriguez whipped in a cross from the left and Duvan Zapata was allowed a totally free header between Milan centre-backs from 12 yards into the far bottom corner of the net.

A ball in that was just begging to be headed into the back of the net

Duván Zapata adds the finishing touch to a wonderful searching ball from Ricardo Rodriguez… Milan trail to Torino!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wUbBn8util

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 18, 2024

Christian Pulisic nodded over, but Torino doubled their lead with what was incredibly an even freer header than the first. Raoul Bellanova’s cross from the right found Ivan Ilic so unmarked, he didn’t even need to jump, merely steer it in from 12 yards.

Ivan Ilić makes it two for Torino against Milan…

How about the turn from Pietro Pellegri dropping into midfield?

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/2q71IcfdRZ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 18, 2024

Yunus Musah saw his rocket accidentally charged down by teammate Malick Thiaw, but within 20 seconds of the restart it was 3-0. Former Milan player Rodriguez unleashed a left-foot rocket off the underside of the crossbar from 20 metres out after the Rossoneri were sluggishly caught in possession.

Ricardo Rodriguez unleashes a rocket against his former club

Torino are tearing through Milan!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bhnFIHvFkl

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 18, 2024

Pulisic thumped his shot against the bar from the edge of the area, but it wouldn’t have counted anyway, as the referee gave a free kick for an earlier push on Buongiorno.

Milinkovic-Savic stood tall to deny Luka Jovic on the Pulisic slide-rule pass, but Adam Masina gave away a penalty when hooking Pulisic across the neck, so Ismael Bennacer converted from the spot.

Ismaël Bennacer sends the keeper the wrong way after Christian Pulisic was brought down in the box…

One back for Milan

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/j1InSfyK8E

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 18, 2024

Marco Sportiello struggled to deal with a looping Duvan Zapata header and Tameze intercepted a dangerous counter-attack for Rafael Leao, but Luka Jovic shinned his over-head kick off target.

Late on, Rafael Leao went on a trademark solo run to cut inside from the left, but his shot was parried by the goalkeeper.

The Torino shot-stopper also kept out Fikayo Tomori’s header in stoppages, but it wouldn’t have counted over a push.

Torino 3-1 Milan

Duvan Zapata 26 (T), Ilic 39 (T), Rodriguez 46 (T), Bennacer pen 54 (M)

18-05-2024 19:45

MatchDay 37

Olympic Grande Torino Stadium

Torino

Milan

3 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Duván Zapata (Assist: Ricardo Rodríguez)		26'
Ivan Ilić (Assist: Raoul Bellanova)		40'

2nd half

Ricardo Rodríguez (Assist: Pietro Pellegri)		46'
		55'		Ismaël Bennacer
		76'		Fikayo Tomori
Samuele Ricci		90+5'

Match statistic

40

Possession %

60

11

Total shots

16

5

Shots on target

4

5

Shots off target

7

1

Blocked shots

5

3

Corners

8

2

Offsides

15

Fouls

14

Torino

Milan

Starting lineups

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

5

Adam Masina

Defender

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

80'

19

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

74'

13

Ricardo Rodríguez

Defender

61'

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

77

Karol Linetty

Midfielder

28

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

11

Pietro Pellegri

Attacker

74'

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

28

Malick Thiaw

Defender

20

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

38

Filippo Terracciano

Midfielder

65'

4

Ismaël Bennacer

Midfielder

78'

14

Tijjani Reijnders

Midfielder

80

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

77'

11

Christian Pulisic

Attacker

15

Luka Jovic

Attacker

17

Noah Okafor

Attacker

61'

Substitutes

26

Koffi Djidji

Defender

1

Luca Gemello

Goalkeeper

21

David Okereke

Attacker

81

Aaron Ciammaglichella

Midfielder

15

Saba Sazonov

Defender

71

Mihai Popa

Goalkeeper

25

Alessandro Dellavalle

Defender

17

Uros Kabic

Attacker

79

Zanos Savva

Attacker

30

Jonathan Silva

Midfielder

27

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

61'

9

Antonio Sanabria

Attacker

74'

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

74'

6

Matteo Lovato

Defender

80'

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

83

Antonio Mirante

Goalkeeper

2

Davide Calabria

Defender

30

Mattia Caldara

Defender

7

Yacine Adli

Midfielder

85

Kevin Zeroli

Midfielder

95

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

61'

42

Alessandro Florenzi

Defender

65'

9

Olivier Giroud

Attacker

77'

32

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

78'

The dismissal of Max Allegri and likely arrival of Thiago Motta as Juventus coach could change plans to sell Manchester United target Gleison Bremer.

It had been widely assumed that the Brazil international would be sacrificed this summer with a sale price of €70m.

That is considered more than fair, as Juve paid €50m to purchase him from Torino in 2022 and the 27-year-old has gone from strength to strength in Turin and his contract runs to June 2028.

However, the situation at Juventus has certainly changed with yesterday’s decision to sack coach Allegri.

Most assume that Bologna boss Thiago Motta has been lined up to replace him next season and that could transform their transfer plans too.

Thiago Motta wants Bremer at Juve

According to Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, Thiago Motta is a real admirer of Bremer and wants him to be the rock at the centre of their defence, especially if they move to a 4-3-3 formation.

This is not the only change, as Federico Chiesa was extremely frustrated under Allegri’s tactics, but could be convinced to stay with Thiago Motta at the helm.

On the other hand, Adrien Rabiot is more likely to join Manchester United as a free agent now that Allegri has been sacked.

Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was furious at suggestions he feigned illness to avoid playing against Fiorentina, as it’s reported he nearly fainted in the hotel.

The right-back was not even on the bench for last night’s 2-2 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, officially due to a bout of gastroenteritis.

When the report about the match appeared in the Corriere del Mezzogiorno newspaper, it included an allegation that infuriated Napoli.

“Di Lorenzo was a last-minute absentee over an attack of gastroenteritis. Who knows if it was true, who knows if the captain’s nerves just buckled under the pressure of these infernal weeks, hoping it is not the prelude to the announcement of a transfer.”

Di Lorenzo posted the image of the article on Instagram Stories with his own response.

“SHAMEFUL. You are squalid.”

Di Lorenzo ‘felt faint’

His agent Mario Giuffredi told TV Play just how shameful the allegation was in the circumstances around his absence.

“After lunch yesterday, Di Lorenzo started to have serious gastrointestinal problems. The lad was in no condition to play. He wanted to at least be in the stands to cheer on his teammates, but he couldn’t even manage that and had to stay in the hotel.

“Then situation then got even worse. After returning to the hotel following the match, they found Di Lorenzo almost unconscious in his hotel room, he felt faint.

“Just think, they were forced to get the emergency key to enter Giovanni’s room. So anyone throwing fuel on the fire during such a delicate time for Napoli ought to be ashamed of themselves.”

The release clause for Milan and Arsenal transfer target Benjamin Sesko is now set at €65m after he concluded the season with RB Leipzig.

The centre-forward has an unusual clause set in his contract which climbs depending on his performances during the campaign.

It was able to escalate from €45m to a maximum of €72m, but today the season came to a close and therefore the clause has been set at €65m for this summer.

Sesko hot property

Sesko found the net 19 times along with three assists in all competitions for RB Leipzig and is expected to be hot property on the transfer market.

His profile could grow even more when Slovakia participate in the EURO 2024 tournament from June to July.

Milan and Arsenal are known to have Sesko on their wish-list and have both held meetings with his entourage already.

The two clubs really do seem to be going for the same targets, as they are also expected to battle on the market for Bologna centre-forward Joshua Zirkzee.

It was revealed this week that Zirkzee’s €40m release clause is not only valid for Bayern Munich, but for any club who comes along.

According to Il Sole 24 Ore, Oaktree already have a buyer lined up to purchase Inter if Suning and the Zhang family fail to repay the €395m loan on Monday.

US fund Oaktree granted Suning the €275m loan in 2021 with a 12 per cent interest rate and the due date for repayment is on May 20.

Suning had hoped to get a deal in place with Pimco to take out a different loan at an even higher interest rate to pay that off, but this agreement seems to have fallen through.

If the loan is not repaid, Inter will effectively be repossessed, as it was used as collateral to secure the loan.

The Financial Times reported yesterday that, unlike Elliott Management with Milan when repossessing the club from Yonghong Li in 2019, Oaktree have no desire to run a football team.

Inter could be repossessed

Now Il Sole 24 Ore confirms that, which is why they believe Oaktree have already got a buyer lined up to take over Inter once they repossess it.

There had been several interested parties over the past three years, largely from Saudi Arabia, but Suning were confident they could keep hold of the club and just bring in investors.

That plan failed and they are now on the verge of losing the club that has just won the Serie A title.

Meanwhile, there is at least some good news for Nerazzurri supporters, because Il Sole 24 Ore also reports that the repossession should not affect the agreement of new contracts with players or even transfer deals.

This is because for several years now Beppe Marotta has already been running a net zero transfer campaign, paying for any new signings with sales that made profits.

It is increasingly likely that ex-Roma coach Jose Mourinho will head for Turkey, as after Fenerbahce, now Besiktas confirm they are in negotiations.

The Special One is a free agent after he was sacked by Roma in mid-January and said several times he wants to make sure he makes the right decision on his next career step.

Fenerbahce had openly named Mourinho as their target for next season, although that was largely part of a Presidential election campaign.

Turkey calling Mourinho

On the other hand, Besiktas are in a position to make a firm offer right now and vice-president Huseyin Yucel confirmed as much today.

“We contacted Jose Mourinho a month ago and he welcomed our offer. We already resolved the economic details and will go to Italy next week so we can meet face to face.

“If we reach an agreement with Mourinho, then we will recommend he include Ricardo Quaresma in the staff.”

The vice-president assured the wages would be covered by a sponsorship agreement, so would not weigh too heavily on the club coffers.

It remains to be seen what the Portuguese tactician will do next, as he has also been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia and even a return to the Premier League.

Hüseyin Yücel: Mourinho ile ekonomik detaylar halledildi. Haftaya İtalya’ya gidip yüz yüze görüşeceğiz. Mourinho ile anlaşırsak kendisine Quaresma’nın da teknik heyet de yer almasını önereceğiz. Beşiktaş'a mali yük oluşturmayacak, sponsorla halledebiliriz. pic.twitter.com/uKcDTd7DPk

— Sports Digitale (@SportsDigitale) May 18, 2024

Gianluca Scamacca assures Atalanta feel ‘confident’ going into the Europa League Final with Bayer Leverkusen, especially after securing a Champions League spot.

The striker was the star of the show at the Stadio Via del Mare this evening, providing the assist for the Charles De Ketelaere opener and scoring the second himself, nodding in a corner.

That 2-0 win over Lecce guaranteed that La Dea will play in the 2024-25 edition of the Champions League, so it is a much-needed boost just days after losing the Coppa Italia Final 1-0 to Juventus.

“This was our objective since the start of the season. It might seem normal now, but it is a great achievement and we are very happy,” Scamacca told Sky Sport Italia.

“On a personal level, everything is going well and I always try to help the team.”

Scamacca ready for Bayer Leverkusen

Now they go into Wednesday’s Europa League Final against an unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen team in Dublin.

“We are feeling confident, eager to do well and lift the trophy. The pressure must not be on us. It is going to be an important match, the most important for us all.”

It could also be crucial for others too, because if Atalanta win the Europa League and finish fifth in Serie A, then it will open up a sixth qualifying spot for the Champions League.

That could be taken by either Roma or Lazio.

However, if Atalanta were to finish higher than fifth in the Serie A standings, then that extra slot would not be available.

In double quick time, Gianluca Scamacca adds Atalanta's second

The #UEL finalists mean business…

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/HX0Xo5ROCj

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 18, 2024

Gian Piero Gasperini dropped the biggest hint yet he could leave Atalanta for Napoli, despite securing a Champions League spot. ‘What matters to me is the challenge.’

La Dea needed only three points to guarantee their place in the biggest UEFA tournament for next season and they sealed it with a 2-0 victory away to Lecce this evening.

It was decided by goals from Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca at the dawn of the second half.

This is their return to the top table of European competition after a three-year absence.

“Qualifying for the Champions League is the maximum target for Atalanta, we can’t exactly try to challenge for the Scudetto. Maybe one day Atalanta could, as the club has a radiant future,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

He was in the stands for this game, as he sat out a touchline ban.

“As far as we are concerned, Champions League qualification is an extraordinary result and these lads are going beyond all expectations. I am truly happy with this and we need to dedicate it to everyone in Bergamo.”

Gasperini looks to the future

The team lost the Coppa Italia Final 1-0 to Juventus on Wednesday and next week will face Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League Final in Dublin.

“Undoubtedly, having the reassurance of this qualification will certainly be extra motivation for the players. We had an incredibly hard season with 53 games so far this term, it feels like 30 in the last two months alone,” continued Gasperini.

“It was a strain, we lost a few, but we won so many big games including the Coppa Italia at San Siro, against Fiorentina, in Europe with Liverpool and Marseille. The last five Serie A wins in a row gave us a push over the line, so we played many of these knockout ties lately.

“We lost the Coppa Italia Final the other day against Juventus and it was the first time I saw a lack of pace and adrenaline in the squad. We were starting to feel the fatigue.

“It was warm tonight and I rested many players. We need the best Atalanta in Dublin, in physical, emotional and technical terms.

“I am so sad for the absence of Marten De Roon, but he will certainly sit on the bench with me and help. It’s a terrible time to get an injury, but we will arrive in Dublin with a clear conscience and the desire to get an extraordinary result for Italy as well as for Atalanta.”

Bayer Leverkusen finished the Bundesliga unbeaten today and are on track to complete a perfect Treble without losing a single match, but Atalanta are in their way.

“I think about that, I also think every run has to end sometime… They dominated the Bundesliga, are like a tank, but we are not afraid of them and will go there to play with courage. In good shape, Atalanta can trouble Bayer Leverkusen too.”

Gasperini was asked about his future after the many links with building a whole new era at Napoli and for the first time he seemed to hint he was truly considering leaving Atalanta after eight years.

The coach was pushed on what will make the difference in his decision.

“We are playing Wednesday, then after that we’ll see. What the difference means to me is the challenge and whether it is credible in the choices and evaluations, that is the most important thing.

“Securing the Champions League place has an enormous value for me, as we work so hard to get into this competition, but the challenge is the most important thing. That is what my career is built on.

“Taking on Bayer Leverkusen is a challenge and then we’ll see what happens,” concluded Gasperini.

It is now confirmed that Atalanta, Bologna, Juventus, Milan and Inter qualify for the 2024-25 Champions League, but it is still possible Serie A could get a sixth slot.

La Dea got the three points they needed this evening with a 2-0 victory away to Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare, which guaranteed their place in the top five.

It is a return to the Champions League after a three-year absence for the Bergamo boys, who are gearing up for Wednesday’s Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen.

That means Atalanta cannot be caught by Roma and Lazio, so the confirmed Italian entries for the Champions League are Inter, Milan, Juventus, Bologna and Atalanta.

Serie A still in with chance of six slots

However, it is still possible for Italy to have a sixth place in the new, expanded tournament, but only if certain conditions are met.

They need Atalanta to win the Europa League Final on May 22, but also to finish in fifth place.

If Atalanta manage to overtake Bologna or Juventus into fourth, then victory in the Europa League will become irrelevant.

This is because the ‘extra’ slot rules were drawn up before the season began and go to a team who finish outside the top four in Serie A.

As it happens, Serie A already managed to get a fifth bonus slot thanks to their superior club ranking, so does not ‘count’ for calculating the Europa League victor’s qualification.

https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1791890353051598964