Serie A, Round 36: Sassuolo may survive, Napoli into Champions League qualifying

Did you watch this match? If so, why? Eurovision is on! There was a man in a giant hamster wheel and twins with their braids tied together! A woman ice-skated without ice!

Ten minutes later, Pandev himself scored. The visitors tried to clear the ball, but instead it fell to José Callejón. The Spaniard seemed surprised, but managed to knock the ball over to Pandev, who put it in the back of the net.

The visitors were awarded a penalty midway through the first half. Sansone drew Rosati out of his goal and Biondini saw his shot charged down by Valero right in front of the referee. Berardi stepped up and sent Rosati the wrong way.

Fiorentina looked for a quick equaliser. Matri glanced a header wide and Cuadrado got in behind the defence, only to have his finishing let him down. Stefan Savic ventured forward to head over from Valero.

Roma’s collapse over the weekend meant Juventus didn’t need a win on Monday, but they went ahead and grabbed a 1-0 victory over Atalanta anyway.

It was a demonstration of Juve’s strength in depth that even despite all the changes, they were able to control proceedings relatively easily, threatening early on via Sebastian Giovinco as he volleyed just wide from Pablo Osvaldo’s knock over the top.

Nothing separated both teams coming in, as the two were locked together on 52 points. As it happened, nothing could separate them at the final whistle either. Both teams saw red during a tense finale and a point hinders any hopes both teams had in qualifying for next season’s Europa League.

Keita stung Rafael’s palms from the left-hand side, while Marquinho turned Konko with ease and curled over from 20 yards.

Juventus injuries and suspensions

In doubt: Andrea Barzagli.

Taarabt and Kaká were often at the centre of what little invention and spark there was in the game, and the latter almost produced an individual moment of brilliance later in the first half. Unfortunately, his dipping effort from the edge of the area rocketed back off the crossbar with Samir Handanović beaten, and the game stayed deadlocked. The duo combined to create another chance on the stroke of halftime, though Kaká put his Moroccan teammate’s cross over.

The little control Milan seemed to have disappeared by the time the second half got underway, with the game having regressed back to its earlier fragmented phase. However, the rossoneri still looked threatening from set pieces, with Philippe Mexès firing a warning shot with a powerful header on a Kaká corner just short of the hour mark. It was a warning Inter failed to heed, eventually conceding on a free kick five minutes later; de Jong leaping to head a Mario Balotelli’s cross past Handanović.

The home team cruised through the second half. The giallorossi held plenty of possessions, but weren’t able to do much with it. It was Catania who created more goal opportunities. It didn’t help Roma that their defense looked like they are already on holiday.

Catania (4-3-3): Frison, Peruzzi, Gyomber, Rolin, Monzon, Izco (Lodi 87’), Rinaudo, Barrientos, Leto (Plasi 81’) Bergessio, Castro (Biraghi 81’)

Parma were denied a penalty in first half stoppage time. Cassano’s cross hit Vasco Regini’s arm, but the referee deemed that it wasn’t deliberate. Right on half time, Cassano floated in a free kick and Amauri flicked a weak header straight into Fiorillo’s gloves.

The home side maintained control throughout most of the second half. Gastaldello missed a crucial challenge on Biabiany, allowing the winger to send an angled drive just inches past the far post. Christian Molinaro then burst forward and put too much pace on a pull back which missed everyone running in.

AC Milan injuries and suspensions

Out: Valter Birsa, Riccardo Saponara (injured). In doubt: None.

It’s sure to be a busy weekend in Italy, with much more for you to feast on than just Saturday’s Coppa Italia final. On Sunday basement club Catania may have to pull a result out of the bag against AS Roma if they’re to avoid becoming the first Serie A side relegated this season. If they do, they’ll hand Juventus their third consecutive scudetto, though in all likelihood the bianconeri will have to beat Atalanta on Monday to seal the title.

Stadio Luigi Ferraris; 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET