Chievo down as Inter celebrate
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Article summary
AC Chievo Verona were relegated from Serie A after a 2-0 defeat by Calcio Catania, while FC Internazionale Milano picked up their 15th Scudetto trophy.
Article body
Catania rescue
With the title and European places already decided, all eyes were on the bottom of the table where five sides were battling to avoid finishing in the final relegation spot but Chievo were the only team among them that failed to win and were thus condemned to the drop. Catania looked set for relegation at half-time with the score goalless but Fausto Rossini and Mauro Minelli saved the Sicilian side with the goals that proved Chievo's undoing. Canatnia coach Pasquale Marino announced he will leave the club despite keeping them up. "I've enjoyed myself a lot at this club reaching the objective that was asked of me," said Marino.
Siena safe
Siena were five minutes from going down when Paolo Negro tapped in their winner against Lazio, who finished third, while Parma FC saved themselves with a 3-1 win over Empoli FC and Reggina Calcio survived after beating UEFA Champions League winners AC Milan 2-0, though most of their heroes from Athens were rested as they stayed in fourth spot. Andrea Pirlo was accompanied in the starting lineup by fit-again striker Ronaldo but Reggina managed a relatively simple victory thanks to Nicola Amoruso's excellent shot on the turn and Daniele Amerini's controlled finish as they avoided joining FC Messina Peloro and Ascoli Calcio 1898 in Serie B next season.
Inter success
At the other end of the table, Inter were presented with the championship trophy after their 3-0 victory over Torino FC. Roberto Mancini's side wrapped up the title last month but waited until the last match to fully celebrate. Second-placed AS Roma ended the season in style with a 4-3 home win over Messina as the league's top scorer Francesco Totti netted his 25th and 26th goals of the campaign but also missed a penalty. ACF Fiorentina, who comfortably secured a UEFA Cup place last week, rounded off the campaign with an emphatic 5-1 win against UC Sampdoria, though they were pipped for fifth place by US Città di Palermo, who won 2-1 at Udinese Calcio.
Ascoli off bottom
Elsewhere, the already relegated Ascoli signed off with a 2-1 victory at home to Cagliari Calcio to leave Messina at the bottom of the table and AS Livorno Calcio beat Atalanta BC 4-2, including two goals by Cristiano Lucarelli.
