Milan leave it late….

With the Scudetto and the relegation places already taken care of, the final weekend of the Serie A season saw the race for the much coveted final Champions League spot

It was a straight fight between AC Milan and Fiorentina.  Milan were away at relegated Siena, whilst Fiorentina also faced relegated opposition in Pescara. 

Milan came out victorious in dramatic fashion to pip Il Viola to third place.  With five minutes left, Milan were trailing Siena 1-0 until Mario Balotelli and Phillipe Mexes scored to send I Rossoneri into dreamland.

Balotelli against Siena.  Image courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk

The Milan result was very harsh on Fiorentina who did everything they could by beating Pescara 5-1 with a hat-trick from Adem Ljajic and goals from Matias Fernandez and Arsenal target, Stevan Jovetic competing the rout.

In Serie B the final weekend was just as exciting and frantic as three teams all had a chance of promotion, and also the league title.  Sassuolo, Hellas Verona and Livorno went into the final games with Serie A the carrot dangling in front of their noses.

It all went down to literally the last kick of the season as Sassuolo scored a 95^th minute winner against Livorno to earn promotion, and also clinch the league.  They ended game with nine men in a nailbiting end to the season.  Verona will join them in Serie A after drawing 0-0 at home to Empoli, in front of 40,000 fans at Stadio Bentigodi.

Sassuolo promoted.  Image courtesy of www.sbnation.com

So that brings the 2012/13 Serie A season to a close.  In the end the usual suspects finished where many predicted they would.  Next season will see new faces in charge of some of the top clubs.  Napoli are after a new manager as Walter Mazzari has stepped down.  His likely destination is Inter, who are looking to sack Andrea Stramaccioni and Milan are, according to Silvio Berlusconi at least, looking to replace Massimiliano Allegri.  A busy summer awaits, and I will keep you upto date with all the comings and goings right here.

ROLL OF HONOUR – SERIE A

CHAMPIONS

Juventus

RUNNERS UP

Napoli

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Juventus, Napoli, Milan

EUROPA LEAGUE

Fiorentina, Udinese, Roma/Lazio (Winners of Coppa Italia)

RELEGATED

Palermo, Siena, Pescara

SERIE B 

PROMOTED

Sassuolo, Hellas Verona

PLAY OFF FOR PROMOTION

Livorno, Empoli, Novara, Brescia (Play off winners promoted to Serie A)

RELEGATED

Vicenza, Ascoli, Pro Vercelli, Grosseto