Week 36 Round up, Coppa Italia Success and Ranieri Sacked!

Apologies for being away, ive been celebrating Lazio's success in the coppa Italia far to much!

Week 36 Round up

Inter secured their 17th Scudetto putting them level with AC Milan and now ten behind Juventus 27 league titles, withoutn kicking a ball.

Udinese 2-1 AC Milan
AC Milan unfortunately could not make Inter sweat a little more after they were defeated 2-1 by Udinese on Saturday night. Gaetano D'Agostino put Udinese ahead after a soft penalty had been awarded on Maldini. Udinese doubled their lead after the break when Christian Zapata volleyed in at the back post. Milan did pull one back late on through Ambrosini, but they met their match against the Udine outfit as this really was a battle of two form teams in the league.

Inter Milan 3-0 Siena
That result gave the Scudetto to Inter, who celebrated in style on Sunday night infront of a sold out San Siro crowd. Consumate to the last, Inter won in style to give their fans additional reason to cheer. Fan favourite Estaban Cambiasso put Inter ahead midway through the first half, with Mario Balotelli doubling the lead after the break after rounding the keeper. He really is a player in fine form, especially after last weeks stunning goal against Chievo Verona. Finally, big Zlatan made it 3-0 as he powerfully fired home with his left foot from inside the area to make it 3-0 and his 22nd goal of the Season.

Champions League Chase
Fiorentina continued their fantastic form by beating a Sampdoria side 1-0 thanks to Alberto Gilardino's 19th goal of the season. One could not help feel slightly sorry for Doria though, after their valient efforts midweek in the coppa. Pazzini had a good effort in the first half that almost leveled things up, but it was not to be for Sampdoria who have nothing but pride to play for now. Genoa secured their place in the Europa league for next season against a dogged Chievo side. Chievo took the lead in this one but Diego Milito got one back through a penalty kick and then in the 70th minute sub Ruben Olivera scored with a super free kick. However, after consecutive draws against Roma and Inter, Chievo showed why they deserve Serie A football next season as they equilised late on through as Yepes scored through a precise header to take a point back to Verona. Juventus however continued their poor home form after a good point in Milan last week. Again they had to come from behind at home after Atalanta took the lead, but could only muster a 2-2 draw.

EUROPA League battle
Roma secured a vital win against Catania by 4 goals to 3. Roma started well and Perotta gave them the lead early on and Vucinic doubled soon after. Catania were full of fight and Tedesco pulled one back. After the break Mascara scored through an excellent free kick. They then did the incredible and made it 3-3 through some dreadful Roma defending. Morimotto ran 50 yards to chip the ball over Artur as Mexes seemed asleep and they conceded their 57th goal of the season. Unjustly though Roma won it in injury time through a Pizzaro freekick.

Palermo 2-0 Lazio
Palermo took on a Lazio second string after their heroics in the Coppa Italia on wednesday night and took the lead after 2 minutes through a Miccoli spot kick, one that he dived for. The ball was stuck in the midfield for much of this one, but Rocchi had a few chances to score but was unable to. Mauro Zarate was introduced on 70 minutes and made an immediate impact. He struck a ball past Amelia that hit the post and looked like it crossed the line, but it was ruled a no goal. Palermo doubled their lead late on but the 2-0 scoreline flattered them in this one, a dodgy penalty and a legitimate goal disallowed was their good fortune.

Relegation battle
Torino and Bologna kept fighting tooth and nail this week in difficult games for both of them. Torino have shown consitency of late, building on good wins at home and secured a stunning win at Napoli through a wonderful Rosina freekick after Rolando Bianchi gave them the initial lead. Bologna though kept up the pressure by winning a difficult home enounter against 10 men Lecce, who now look to be set for Serie B as they are rock bottom and are six points from safety. Reggina look likely to join them despite a good win at home to Cagliari, but with them needing two wins and some luck to go their way their chances are fading fast.

COPPA ITALIA
Lazio 1 - 1 Sampdoria Lazio win 6-5 on penalties after extra time

Lazio lifed their 5th Coppa Italia on wednesday night after an enthrawling and tense encounter at a packed Stadio Olimpico. Lazio took the lead through a magnificent Mauro Zarate goal, who else?, as he struck a 25 yard missile into the far right corner of the Curva Sud end. Goran Pandev should have made it 2-0 soon after but for a splended save by Castelazzi. Pazzini leveled the tie through some Cassano magic after he wipped a ball into the area for Stankevicius to connect onto for Pazzini who showed why he is emerging as one of the best strikers in Italy. It was tense and nervous stuff after that, with Cassano again the architect for Pazzini who only just missed a chance in extra time thanks to lollo De Silvestri. Fortunately for us Laziale though there was a happy outcome after a long shootout Dabo finally stepped up and brought the cup home for Lazio. Sempre Forza Lazio! Lazio now have five Coppa Italia titles, behind only Roma and Juventus on 9 and Fiorentina on 6, and level with Inter Milan on 5.

RANIERI Sacked
Yes, sad but true. Claudio Ranieri has been sacked today by Juve. After another poor result he became the first manager for Juve in 40 years to be sacked. Juve appear to be stuttering towards the finish, and must secure automatic entry to the champions league for next season, but face pressure from bitter rivals Fiorentina. Ciro Ferrara takes the reigns for the moment.