Serie A, Week 37: Catania, Bologna and Livorno all relegated to Serie B

With neither side having anything to play for, it was easy to imagine this game ending up as a drab, lifeless affair. Fortunately the opposite proved to be true, with both sides making the most of their freedom in a pulsating first half.

Roma seized control once again after the restart, with Storari diving to stop a Torosidis effort and Mattia Destro’s subsequent rebound early on. The giallorossi saw comfortably more of possession, with only some deep defending from Juve preventing them finding a way through.

The hosts hit the post twice. They were constantly in their opponent’s penalty box, but had nothing to show for it. They wanted a penalty in the 63rd minute, when Robert Acquafresca’s shot hit Norbert Gyomber in the hand, but the referee didn’t point to the spot. Instead, only a corner was given.

Five minutes before full time, the Sicilians retook the lead. Morleo was fouled by Rinaudo deep inside Catania’s half, but the referee waved to play on. The Argentine ran with the ball for 40 meters on the left flank, before sending it to Gonzalo Bergessio on the right, whose left footed strike from inside the area flew past Curci. Catania’s winner meant nothing. Both teams have relegated to Serie B. Goodbye Bologna and Catania.

But in January, their patience ran out. After losing to Catania, Pioli was shown the door. In came Ballardini, who brought a dreadfully boring playing style, all in the name of safety. Since his appointment, Bologna failed to score in eleven of their twenty matches. In one particularly mind-numbing stretch, they went eight matches with just three goals -- and all of those were from penalties.So goodbye, Bologna. Sorry to say that after this season, you’ll be missed by few.

So now here we are, with Catania down in Serie B. At this point, they’ve got 29 points from seven wins, eight draws and 22 losses. Sunday’s game marked their first road win of the season. Well done, Elephants.

Some Livorno fans -- or just simple idealists who enjoy the idea of a club with plenty of socialist supporters -- were encouraged by the side’s start to the Serie A season. At the end of September, Livorno were in eighth, with six games played. But by the time the winter break rolled around, the amaranto were second from bottom, two points back of safety.

Now, with one game to go, Livorno sit on 25 points with six wins, seven draws and 24 losses. It’s not the worst season in recent Serie A history, but it certainly wasn’t what many had hoped for back in August.

Sassuolo re-took the initiative and pressed forward. Cabral played a poor pass which Zaza seized upon and sent a deflected shot wide. Perin began to look unsettled. The goalkeeper flew out to punch a free kick into Antei’s path. Fortunately for Perin, his defenders bailed him out. Floro Flores drove a ball across the box and Zaza snuck in to fire over.

The Neroverdi did re-take the lead on 66 minutes. Biondini headed a Berardi corner underneath Perin at the front post to claim his first goal since arriving on loan from Genoa.

Minutes after giving away a second half penalty, Milan’s Kevin Constant was the target of a banana being thrown onto the pitch by a group of Atalanta fans. The scene was not dissimilar to what happened in the match between Villarreal and Barcelona two weeks ago.

Milan wasted the game’s best chance four minutes after the break. Kaka headed wide from six yards after meeting Mattia De Sciglio’s pinpoint cross from the byline. The miss didn’t prove crucial, as a helping hand gifted Milan the lead two minutes later. El Shaarawy released Muntari, and the Ghanaian’s slide-rule pass was turned into his own net by Bellini. The defender stuck out a leg to stop Balotelli from tapping in, but Balotelli was stood in an offside position, so the blow was even crueller for the Orobici.

There was an emotionally charged atmosphere at the San Siro, as the Nerazzurri faithful gathered to say goodbye to Javier Zanetti. The 40-year-old was making his final home appearance for the side he’s served for 19 years before retiring at the end of the season to become part of the club’s staff. The Argentine had to be content with a place on the bench.

Inter made one change from last weekend’s derby defeat. Zdravko Kuzmanovic came in for the suspended Esteban Cambiasso. Hernanes faced the club he left in the January transfer window.

Udinese tried to respond, but Rafael was barely troubled by long range efforts from Di Natale and Giampiero Pinzi. Di Natale’s bad luck continued when he slipped just as he was about to pull the trigger from the edge of the box.

Hellas were denied a second eight minutes before the break. Hallfredsson picked out Toni, who rolled the ball past the onrushing Scuffet, only to see Danilo clear his effort off the line. Verona kept the move going and Ivan Pillud sent a shot wide.

Last week, Roma handed Juventus the title by losing to Catania, and Napoli grabbed third when Sassuolo beat Roma. But there’s still plenty of drama available in Serie A.

It’s highly unlikely that the Europa League places will be filled until next Sunday. After Inter lost the Derby last week, even their European place is in danger - which means that the final slots could be filled by any of Torino, Parma, Milan, Verona or Lazio. Toro are there now, but can they hang on?