Atalanta and Inter in the Champions League, Milan and Rome in the Europa League, Empoli in Serie B. These are the verdicts of the 38th day, the last of a championship fought to the end like few others, at least as far as the objectives in question are concerned. Because the race was in the balance for almost 100', the ones it took for Inter to beat Empoli: the 2-1 at San Siro, fatally, decided everything. This was the key match of the 38th, the hardest fought in an ups and downs of emotions that messed up the standings from top to bottom, alternating between tears and joys just as expected. The two sides of the coin, as previously mentioned, are best represented by the match in Milan, so vibrant as to be even dramatic. Because the result in question determined, in order, Inter's qualification in the Champions League, Empoli's relegation and the end of Milan's dreams, forced to surrender in front of a super Handanovic just like Andreazzoli.
In fact, the 3-2 against Spal was not enough, especially as in Reggio Emilia, in the other decisive match, Atalanta they overcame Sassuolo with a clear 3-1. Big party for Gasperini, author of a real sporting miracle: bringing the Bergamo players to third place, in fact, is worth as much as a Scudetto. “It's a goal never experienced in 112 years of this club – exclaimed the coach euphoric. – It's a huge victory for the club, the people and for these guys who have been great, wonderful… My future? Now let's celebrate, then we'll see."
In fact, there will be a way to talk about it given that, for obvious reasons, there are many who want him on the benches of their teams (Roma in the lead), but in the meantime it is better to enjoy yesterday's 3-1 and the consequent third place. A deserved but not obvious result: at the end of the first half, in fact, Sassuolo had stopped Atalanta on a 1-1 draw and looked as if they wanted to create a lot of problems. But at the interval, perhaps also for this reason, a fight broke out which resulted in the expulsion of Berardi (author of the momentary 0-1 in the 19th minute, before Zapata's equalizer in the 35th minute), thus unbalancing the match in favor of the Bergamo players, who spread in the second half with Gomez (53') and Pasalic (65'), thus conquering the sensational (and well-deserved) third place.
A decidedly more poised race at San Siro where the contenders, on the other hand, both had a lot to lose. L'Inter the Champions League was being played and the news from Reggio and Ferrara, moreover, didn't help at all, Empoli's salvation and the radio, here too, left much to be desired. The two teams, after a first half ended 0-0, thus decided to go it alone, aware that no particular help would come from the fields in question. The nerazzurri unlocked it in the 51st minute with Keita, then, after having missed the penalty of tranquility with Icardi (61'), they conceded an equalizer from Traoré (76'): the ups and downs of the San Siro caused a real earthquake in the standings, with Milan virtually in the Champions League and Genoa in Serie B. But then came Nainggolan's goal (81'), before Handanovic (and the crossbar) blocked the result with a save on Ucan (92'). The excited final (Brozovic's goal disallowed and Farias' insidious header) wasn't enough to change the scenarios, however, and so Inter found themselves in the Champions League and Empoli, against their will, relegated.
“There was a double load of pressure for how we got to this match but we did it – sighed Spalletti. – Now we'll see what happens, I'd certainly be surprised if in the next few days they told me I'd stay… I'd think I'd be on 'Seriously'”. A bit like Gattuso must have felt, moving from third place to fifth in a matter of minutes, all without seeing an image. In fact, the Ferrara bench experienced a match within a match, with one eye on the Mazza lawn and one on the various smartphones and tablets directed towards Milan and Reggio Emilia.
In the end, despite the illusions, it ended as it began, therefore Atalanta and Inter in the Champions League Milan in the Europa League, thus making the final 3-2 bitter, the result of a start with strong Rossoneri colors (18' Calhanoglu, 23' Kessie), a return from Spal (28' Vicari, 53' Fares) and a final penalty for a foul by Cionek on Piatek (Kessie again in the 66th minute). "There is regret for how the season went, fifth place hurts but we had a good championship - Gattuso's analysis - This team can do great things with a few tweaks, I'll see the club in the next few days: I'm curious to know the thought on my work”.
Nothing to be said instead between the Roma, Ranieri and De Rossi: the marriage officially ended in the heartbreaking evening at the Olimpico, in which, for obvious reasons, the 2-1 over Parma (Pellegrini 35', Gervinho 86', Perotti 89') was marginal . “There were two of us to close the season, Daniele playing and me coaching – sighed Ranieri. – They were wonderful emotions, but now let's move on. Who do I see on the bench in my place? I don't know, it's important that they do well, I speak as a fan. I wish only the best." We'll talk extensively about it starting tomorrow, when the market will take all the scene it deserves. All the best in the class, Naples and Turin excluded, could change coaches, thus giving way to real technical-tactical revolutions. And the emotions of the championship will inevitably vanish thanks to the classic midsummer dreams. lsd priori
