Italian football fans are as passionate as they come. To some, maybe many, the beautiful game is akin to religion; and results, good or bad, set the tone for the next week.
But the climax of Serie A 2017/18 set the tone for a whole summer for two teams. Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio hosted Inter Milan in the final game of the campaign, needing to avoid defeat to confirm their place in the 2018/19 Champions League, while a win for I Nerazzurri meant they would grab that coveted fourth place.
The action which unfolded over the 90 plus minutes at the Stadio Olimpico is the stuff of dreams…and nightmares.
Lazio 2-3 Inter Milan
After holding down a top four slot for most of the season the hosts just needed a draw to confirm their Champions League berth, and led with 15 minutes remaining, but two red cards for the hosts and two late strikes for the visitors turned this match dramatically on its head.
We went for a home result with our pre-match SBOBET tips, and when Inter’s Ivan Perisic put through his own goal the hosts were looking good. Danilo d’Ambrosio equalised for the visitors before Felipe Anderson restored Lazio’s lead and the home crowd breathed easier again.
But with around 12 minutes left on the clock Lazio’s sense of order turned to chaos. Inter were awarded a penalty, Mauro Icardi converted with ease and Lazio’s Bosnian midfielder Senad Lulic was sent off. The home crowd was at fever pitch with ten long minutes to survive, but when Matias Vecino found himself unmarked in the box he planted his header home to send the visiting hoards wild.
As Lazio became increasingly desperate, defender Patric was red-carded and their world had fallen apart. The dramatic victory drew Inter level with Lazio and they qualified for a first Champions League since 2012, courtesy of a better head-to-head record.
Juventus 2-1 Hellas Verona
The Old Lady had already won a seventh consecutive Scudetto last week, thanks to a 0-0 draw away to Roma, with a little help from Radja Nainggolan who saw red at the Stadio Olimpico but, to add insult to Lazio’s injury, Roma booked their own place in the Champions League, finishing third.
So Juventus’ final home game of the season was a celebration, and an emotional farewell to club legend and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who had just announced he would be ending his 17-year spell in Turin. The Old Lady’s final game was a walk in the park against relegated Hellas Verona with goals from Daniele Rugani and Miralem Pjanic putting the hosts in charge before Alessio Cerci scored a late consolation.
Buffon left on a high as I Bianconeri kept 22 clean sheets during the season, equalling the Serie A record in a single season, while head coach Max Allegri has led them to a fourth consecutive domestic double.
And with seven consecutive Scudettos in the bag, there’s no sign of Juve relaxing; a big-money move for Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks on the cards.
Now that would be a coup for Serie A and its champions.
Napoli 2-1 Crotone
After pushing I Bianconeri so hard during the 2017/18 title race Napoli signed off with a win over Crotone, sending their visitors back to Serie B in the process.
The visitors fought for their lives but were simply outclassed by a Napoli side which has played fantastic football in another season so close to glory. Goals from Arkadiusz Milik and Jose Callejon saw off Walter Zenga’s strugglers, as the hosts chose to rests to star players Marek Hamsik and Dries Mertens.
This is a squad packed with quality and sure to challenge again next term.
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Well, folks, that was the climax to the 2018 season, and what a climax! We’re hoping for some Serie A 2020 updates before too long while the football world watches the Bundesliga with interest, as the German league inches towards a possible restart.
Since Euro 2020 was put back a year to leave room for the big domestic leagues to complete, we have been waiting on news in Italy too, and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced that professional teams can return to training on May 18th.
As soon as we can we’ll be back with match previews and reports, and the very best Serie A 2020 betting offers in Asian Handicap betting. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy.
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