Cagliari have guaranteed their Serie A safety after Matteo Prati and Gianluca Lapadula grab victory at the Mapei Stadium, as Sassuolo are now on the verge of relegation.

This was a huge battle to avoid the drop, as the Neroverdi were in penultimate place, but only four points behind the Sardinians. Domenico Berardi and Samu Castillejo were still out of action, while Jakub Jankto and Antoine Makoumbou didn’t make the trip, but Gianluca Gaetano and Tommaso Augello returned from suspension.

There were 4,000 Cagliari fans at the Mapei Stadium, knowing a win would guarantee their Serie A status.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Ruan Tressoldi risked a disaster in the opening six minutes, mis-kicking a clearance and then bundling into Gianluca Lapadula, but the striker went down too easily in the penalty area.

Martin Erlic hobbled off with a bruise to the small of the back, but Sassuolo had the first real chance with Andrea Pinamonti steering a free header inches wide.

Gianluca Lapadula saw his angled drive flash across the face of goal to skim the far post and Eldor Shomurodov fired over. Cagliari started to push after the restart, the Gabriele Zappa strike smothered by Andrea Consigli and Zito Luvumbo hesitating on the counter-attack.

Lapadula was brought down in the box, but only after wandering offside, and Pinamonti’s acrobatic bicycle kick flashed off target.

Cagliari took the lead in front of their many away fans when a free kick was pumped into the box, the Lapadula strike was charged down and Yerry Mina eventually laid it off for substitute Matteo Prati to drill home.

Ibrahim Sulemana should’ve added a second, firing wide when set up by a Nahitan Nandez solo run down the right.

Cagliari did seal it when Marash Kumbulla was surprised by an odd bobble on the pitch and clattered into Lapadula for a penalty, which Lapadula converted, even though Yerry Mina had wanted to take it.

The Sassuolo situation got to Matheus Henrique, who was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession, both for dissent. They could even be mathematically relegated this afternoon.

Sassuolo 0-2 Cagliari

Prati 71 (C), Lapadula pen 91 (C)

Sent off: Matheus Henrique 93 (S)

19-05-2024 11:30

MatchDay 37

Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore

Sassuolo

Cagliari

0 - 2

Player statistic

2nd half

Kristian Thorstvedt		54'
		61'		Alessandro Deiola
		71'		Matteo Prati (Assist: Alberto Dossena)
		76'		Alberto Dossena
Andrea Pinamonti		79'
Matheus Henrique		90+3'
Matheus Henrique		90+3'
		90+1'		Gianluca Lapadula

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

7

Total shots

13

Shots on target

3

4

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

5

5

Corners

6

1

Offsides

8

14

Fouls

9

Sassuolo

Cagliari

Starting lineups

47

Andrea Consigli

Goalkeeper

2

Filippo Missori

Defender

46'

13

Gian Marco Ferrari

Defender

43

Josh Doig

Defender

5

Martin Erlic

Defender

19'

44

Ruan Tressoldi

Defender

62'

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

57'

7

Matheus Henrique

Midfielder

6

Uros Racic

Midfielder

57'

9

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

22

Simone Scuffet

Goalkeeper

4

Alberto Dossena

Defender

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

27

Tommaso Augello

Defender

86'

26

Yerry Mina

Defender

14

Alessandro Deiola

Midfielder

67'

70

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

67'

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

8

Nahitan Nández

Midfielder

89'

61

Eldor Shomurodov

Attacker

46'

9

Gianluca Lapadula

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

21

Mattia Viti

Defender

11

Nedim Bajrami

Midfielder

28

Alessio Cragno

Goalkeeper

22

Jeremy Toljan

Defender

25

Gianluca Pegolo

Goalkeeper

15

Emil Konradsen Ceide

Attacker

8

Samuele Mulattieri

Attacker

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

19

Marash Kumbulla

Defender

19'

92

Grégoire Defrel

Attacker

46'

14

Pedro Obiang

Midfielder

57'

24

Daniel Boloca

Midfielder

57'

3

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

62'

18

Simone Aresti

Goalkeeper

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

1

Boris Radunović

Goalkeeper

32

Andrea Petagna

Attacker

5

Marco Mancosu

Midfielder

23

Mateusz Wieteska

Defender

17

Pantelis Chatzidiakos

Defender

37

Paulo Azzi

Attacker

19

Gaetano Oristanio

Midfielder

34

Kingstone Mutandwa

Attacker

77

Zito Luvumbo

Attacker

46'

10

Nicolas Viola

Midfielder

67'

16

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

67'

33

Adam Obert

Defender

86'

99

Alessandro Di Pardo

Defender

89'

Midway through the penultimate round of Serie A fixtures for 2023-24, six teams still run the risk of being relegated to the second division, including Sassuolo, Empoli, Frosinone, Cagliari, Udinese and Hellas Verona.

Five of those teams are in action on Sunday, while Verona are due to play already-relegated Salernitana at 17.45 BST on Monday evening.

Excitingly, four of the teams at risk of relegation will play each other directly on Sunday, as Sassuolo host Cagliari at 11.30, with Udinese-Empoli following at 14.00.

It’s important to remember that if teams in 17th and 18th finish level on points, head-to-head and goal difference becomes irrelevant. The teams will instead contest a relegation play-off, as happened with Verona and Spezia in 2022-23.

This year onwards, though, the play-off will take place over two legs, rather than a one-off 90 minute match.

Here’s what the teams all need to avoid the drop to Serie B …

What Sassuolo need to stay in Serie A

As the lowest-ranked team who are still in with a shout of survival, Sassuolo certainly have their work cut out for them. They have 29 points with two games remaining and currently sit three points from safety.

They could technically be relegated by the end of Sunday. That would happen if Sassuolo lose or draw against Cagliari, and if Udinese (15th place) pick up at least one point against Empoli, and if Frosinone (17th) beat Monza.

If Sassuolo beat Cagliari, they can not be relegated on Sunday, and the standing will depend on results on the final day, next weekend.

What Empoli need

From 18th place upwards, it becomes more open as no other team can be mathematically relegated on Sunday. A win for Empoli against Udinese at 14.00 will massively boost their survival hopes, and will lift them out of the bottom three and likely drop Udinese into the relegation zone in their place, depending on the result in Monza-Frosinone.

What Frosinone need

As Frosinone sit level on points with Empoli in Serie A, it’s effectively the exact same situation as before. They will not be relegated, and can not confirm safety on Sunday either way, but a win against Monza will be massively valuable. Their final position will come down to the final day.

What Cagliari need

It’s a much clearer picture for Cagliari. A win today against Sassuolo will mathematically confirm Serie A safety.

A Cagliari will send them up to 36 points, which, in turn will relegate Sassuolo. Sky Sport Italia confirm that a win in either of their final two matches will be enough to keep Cagliari up.

What Udinese need

Similarly to Cagliari, a win against Empoli on Sunday will confirm Serie A safety for Udinese. A draw or loss means that it will come down to the final day, when they play Frosinone.

What Verona need

Verona need two points from their final two games of the season to avoid relegation. In fact, as they play on Monday, they could be confirmed as safe by the end of Sunday without having to play themselves, depending on results elsewhere.

A win against already-relegated Salernitana on Monday will mathematically confirm Serie A safety regardless of other results, but a single point may also be enough to do it depending on Sunday’s matches.

It is looking increasingly likely that relegation to Serie B might be decided by a play-off, as Udinese’s victory at Lecce saw them leap out of the drop zone.

Salernitana are already doomed to the drop, but the other two places are still to be decided with only two rounds left in the Serie A season.

Udinese earned a 2-0 win away to Lecce this evening, propelling them from 18^th place to 15^th, now equal with Cagliari on 33 points and one clear of both Frosinone and Empoli.

Verona are just one point above them, so while Sassuolo look isolated now in penultimate place on 29 points, the other five teams fighting to stay up are all crammed within a two-point radius.

Serie A fixtures include showdowns

The final Serie A 2023-24 fixtures funnily enough do provide some crucial head-to-head clashes, specifically Sassuolo-Cagliari and Udinese-Empoli this weekend, while Frosinone-Udinese is in the last round.

If two teams finish level in 18^th place, they will go to a play-off.

This already happened last season, but while Verona beat Spezia on neutral turf in a one-off match, this year it would be a home and away tie.

If three or four Serie A teams are level on points, then a table will be drawn up of their head-to-head records, with the bottom two going into the play-off.

{end, 21:43, That’s all for the Liveblog}

Atalanta 63*

Roma 60

Lazio 59

*game in hand

{live, 21:43, Congratulations Juve and Bologna}

Juventus and Bologna have officially secured their positions in the 2024-25 edition of the Champions League after Atalanta’s 2-1 victory over Roma https://t.co/HhuvHcjw4Y #Juventus #Bologna #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM #UCL

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 21:41, Match Report}

#Atalanta 2-1 #ASRoma

Atalanta swept Roma aside with an early Charles De Ketelaere brace to take fifth place with a game in hand, but risked throwing it away with wasteful finishing https://t.co/LgcfBeVDMF #AtalantaRoma #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 21:38, FT: Atalanta 2-1 Roma}

Atalanta go 5th, Juventus and Bologna are in the Champions League!

{live, 21:37, Koopmeiners, HOW?!?}

Noooo! Incredible. Pellegrini and El Shaarawy down hurt, Atalanta play on, Lookman sets up Koopmeiners, who fires over an open goal! Ridiculous!

{live, 21:36, Angelino crucial}

Atalanta on the counter, Angelino cuts across to stop Toure.

{live, 21:34, Atalanta wide again}

The finishing has been so bad, Miranchuk saw Lookman on the counter, instead drilled wide! Into 4 minutes of stoppages.

{live, 21:33, Koopmeiners wide}

Koopmeiners low angled drive skims the woodwork from the edge of the box!

{live, 21:32, Atalanta sub}

Miranchuk replaces Ederson. Lots of plans changing here. Lukaku was meant to come off, then switched to Kristensen, Toloi was ready, then Miranchuk chosen instead.

{live, 21:31, Save on Ederson}

Ederson breaks down the right, stings Svilar’s gloves at the near post, the move continues and Lookman fires over!

{live, 21:30, Roma subs}

Azmoun and Joao Costa on, Kristensen and Cristante off. Roma all-attack now.

{live, 21:28, Atalanta counter}

Zappacosta on the counter, tries to pull back from the by-line, but Kristensen with the crucial block.

{live, 21:26, Save on Lukaku}

Great work from El Shaarawy, who battles his way through two tackles, finds Abraham, roll across for Lukaku and angled drive well smothered by Carnesecchi.

{live, 21:25, Roma push}

Lukaku turns Hien down the left, rolls across for Bove, who flicks it on, but only as far as Carnesecchi.

{live, 21:25, Atalanta a bit imprecise now}

Some passes a little overhit, moves not quite coming off as smoothly as they did in the first hour.

{live, 21:21, Carnesecchi save!}

Big chance for Roma to equalise! Angelino down the left, roll across for Pellegrini, sweeps from the edge of the box and Carnesecchi flies to palm it away!

{live, 21:19, Atalanta sub}

Scalvini on, Pasalic off, so De Roon returns to midfield.

{live, 21:17, Cheeky Pellegrini}

Pellegrini hooks it back over his head and Carnesecchi plucks out from under the bar.

{live, 21:17, Roma threaten}

Bove slide-rule pass to Abraham, pulls it back across, intercepted by Hien.

{live, 21:16, Atalanta appeals}

Gasperini, who was booked over the Roma penalty, is fuming that Toure goes down under pressure from Mancini and is not awarded a spot-kick either.

{live, 21:13, Roma revitalised}

Suddenly, Roma starting to believe. We’ve seen this before from Atalanta, when they are so dominant and don’t make it count, they can be vulnerable.

{live, 21:09, Atalanta 2-1 Roma: Lorenzo Pellegrini penalty!}

Carnesecchi got the right angle, but couldn’t reach it.

{live, 21:08, Penalty for Roma!}

Hmm. Abraham and Lukaku combine, Abraham gets the shot away and De Roon sliding in crashes into the Englishman at the end of the move. Arguably, the contact came after it was possible to affect the play…

{live, 21:06, Svilar save}

Atalanta are swarming like a hive of angry bees. After a long, LONG, passing move, Djimsiti sets up Pasalic, Svilar has to palm it over the bar.

{live, 21:04, Atalanta again}

Lukaku misplaced pass to Pellegrini intercepted, De Roon repeats the Lookman shot, also inches wide!

{live, 21:03, Lookman so close!}

Oooh! Lookman from the edge of the box, drills INCHES wide with Svilar only able to watch it go by!

{live, 21:02, Koopmeiners booked}

He will be suspended against Lecce. Not sure he minds that too much.

{live, 21:01, Atalanta subs}

Lookman, Zappacosta and Toure on, De Ketelaere, Ruggeri and Scamacca off

{live, 20:58, Roma shot on target}

That might be the first… Bove snapshot from distance, straight at Carnesecchi.

{live, 20:56, Ederson chance}

Another Scamacca back-heel flick sets up Ederson, scuffed finish into the arms of Svilar. Then Scamacca controls and blasts wide from the edge of the box, because Atalanta won it back that quickly…

{live, 20:54, Scamacca over}

Koopmeiners frustrated he overhit the pass for Pasalic, the move continues, Scamacca nods over at the back post, then gets into an argument with Hateboer, who wanted the header instead.

{live, 20:53, Reminder}

If Roma do not win tonight, then Bologna and Juventus will automatically be qualified for the Champions League.

{live, 20:49, Ndicka booked}

Ndicka into the book for scything into De Ketelaere.

{live, 20:49, 2nd half kicks off: Atalanta 2-0 Roma}

{live, 20:47, Roma subs}

Abraham and Bove on, Baldanzi and Paredes off.

{live, 20:44, Dominant Atalanta}

“I almost can’t believe what I’m witnessing here.” @IFTVMarco and @MikeGrella10 on Atalanta outperforming Roma in the first 45 minutes. pic.twitter.com/4cnVWVPSzv

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 12, 2024

{live, 20:33, Half-Time: Atalanta 2-0 Roma}

And Roma can count themselves lucky it’s only 2-0, because CDK brace, then CDK and Koopmeiners hit the woodwork.

{live, 20:32, Pasalic wide!}

Another moment of CDK magic, gathered with his back to goal, turned a defender as if he wasn’t even there and sent Pasalic through, curler wide of the target!

{live, 20:29, Koopmeiners off the upright!}

Roma hanging on here, Koopmeiners free kick over the wall, thumps the same upright that De Ketelaere hit!

{live, 20:28, Atalanta free kick}

Such great moves, Scamacca flicked header in midfield to Koopmeiners, he returns it, back-heel flick and De Ketelaere brought down by Cristante just outside the D.

{live, 20:27, Whoops}

Referee gets in the way of a Koopmeiners cross.

{live, 20:24, Big save on Hateboer}

Atalanta cross from the left, Hateboer header deflected and great Svilar save on the line!

{live, 20:23, De Ketelaere again}

Did that hit the upright or Svilar? Either way, he nearly scored from the tightest of angles! Replay shows it hit the post!

{live, 20:22, Almost 3-0!}

De Ketelaere AGAIN, Scamacca wins it back in midfield, leaves it to CDK, who drills just wide!

{live, 20:19, Atalanta swarming}

Lovely CDK pass off the outside of the boot to roll across from the right, then series of shots charged down, the best from Koopmeiners.

{live, 20:18, Baldanzi tries}

Baldanzi tries to surge forward, finds himself immediately surrounded by Atalanta bodies.

{live, 20:16, Problem in the stands}

Play halted for a moment, as fireworks thrown land on the pitch and need to be cleared.

{live, 20:12, All Atalanta}

De Ketelaere looks like he’s playing in a different dimension, Roma are nowhere near him. Waltzes into the defence, rolls across for Pasalic, intercepted by Ndicka.

{live, 20:10, Roma on the ropes}

CDK looking for his hat-trick, blocked off, cross cleared with difficulty.

{live, 20:08, First goal}

It's a 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 finish from Charles De Ketelaere as he gives Atalanta the lead over Roma!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/6p0qvJ98U1

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 12, 2024

{live, 20:08, Roma respond}

Angelino cross, El Shaarawy tries to volley it, but should’ve taken a touch instead.

{live, 20:06, Atalanta 2-0 Roma: Charles De Ketelaere!}

Incredible! Hien robs Lukaku in midfield, Koopmeiners down the left, give and go with Scamacca, pull back for CDK to sweep home relatively undisturbed from 12 yards!

{live, 20:03, Atalanta 1-0 Roma: Charles De Ketelaere!}

That’s a fine solo goal. CDK runs onto the through ball down the left, cuts inside Mancini and bends a right-foot finish into the far bottom corner!

{live, 20:03, Hien intercepts}

Kristensen rolls across from the right for Lukaku, but Hien intercepts.

{live, 20:01, Roma have got a foothold}

Atalanta were pouring forward, but Roma have got a foothold in the game now and trying to slow the tempo.

{live, 19:55, It’s wide open}

As expected, really. Both teams going for it.

{live, 19:51, Roma chance}

Lukaku lays it off for Angelino, shot charged down by Hateboer for a corner.

{live, 19:49, Svilar save!}

Atalanta corner kick, deflection off Lukaku, Svilar makes the save! Then another corner and Djimsiti diving header goes wide!

{live, 19:45, We have kick-off in Atalanta vs. Roma!}

What a game. What a game!

{live, 19:44, A minute’s silence}

For the 5 victims of an industrial accident near Palermo.

{live, 19:42, The teams are out}

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; De Roon, Hien, Djimsiti; Hateboer, Koopmeiners, Ederson, Ruggeri; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Scamacca

Roma: Svilar; Kristensen, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Baldanzi, Lukaku, El Shaarawy

{live, 19:41, Daniele De Rossi}

Daniele De Rossi wants Roma to treat Bayer Leverkusen as ‘a memory’ now they go into a decisive clash with all-attack Atalanta for Champions League football https://t.co/7Hxa1mL8hB #ASRoma #Atalanta #SerieA #AtalantaRoma #SerieATIM #Calcio

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 19:36, Luca Percassi}

Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi points out they will play 56 competitive matches by the end of this season and responds to Roma criticism over their rescheduled game https://t.co/SfeGFfax4y #Atalanta #ASRoma #SerieA #AtalantaRoma #SerieATIM #Calcio #Fiorentina

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 19:23, Atmosphere in Bergamo}

pic.twitter.com/VyyYdQWULf

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) May 12, 2024

{live, 19:22, Matteo Ruggeri (Atalanta)}

“Playing every three days is oddly better for our fitness levels, as we train on the pitch. Now we are focused on this match and concentrated on our objective.

“Scoring against Marseille was fantastic, as playing in a Europa League semi-final in front of your home fans is the dream of every player. However, tonight is like a Final for us.”

{live, 19:20, Bryan Cristante (Roma)}

“It’s a tough fixture list, but this is football now, we go into another decisive match. It is a head-to-head and our Champions League qualification is realistically decided today.”

{live, 19:14, This means…}

Milan are mathematically 2nd. If Roma don’t win tonight, then Juventus AND Bologna have qualified for the Champions League.

{live, 19:11, Atalanta vs. Roma line-ups}

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; De Roon, Hien, Djimsiti; Hateboer, Koopmeiners, Ederson, Ruggeri; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Scamacca

Roma: Svilar; Kristensen, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Baldanzi, Lukaku, El Shaarawy

{live, 19:07, Match report}

#Juventus 1-1 #Salernitana

Juventus hit the woodwork three times, but a late Adrien Rabiot goal allowed them to scrape a point with already-relegated Salernitana, their sixth stalemate in a row https://t.co/nwOngh7MNd #JuveSalernitana #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 19:03, FT: Juventus 1-1 Salernitana}

Incredible finale!

{live, 19:02, OH SALERNITANA}

HOW?! Salernitana counter in waves, Basic has to score, he sweeps the left-foot curler over the bar!

{live, 19:00, Miretti wide}

Juve want to win it now, Miretti fires wide from the edge of the area!

{live, 18:56, Juventus 1-1 Salernitana: Adrien Rabiot!}

We are into 6 minutes of stoppages! Iling Junior corner flicked on by Locatelli and it is Rabiot who comes sliding in at the back post!

{live, 18:55, Salernitana subs}

Pasalidis and Pellegrino on, Sambia and Zanoli off.

{live, 18:53, Miretti off the bar!}

Juventus are unlucky too, because that was a screamer from Miretti that thumped the underside of the bar, bounced off the ground and back out!

{live, 18:51, Just pointing out}

It is the 87th minute. Juventus 0-1 Salernitana.

{live, 18:49, Atalanta vs. Roma team news}

#Atalanta vs. #ASRoma line-ups:

Atalanta look to Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere, while Roma use Tommaso Baldanzi with Romelu Lukaku in this showdown for fifth place https://t.co/EUQkHqbpIX #AtalantaRoma #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 18:48, Salernitana counter}

Tchaouna sprints on the counter, goes down under a Gatti shove, but not enough for a penalty.

{live, 18:44, Save on Milik!}

Milik with a very odd header leaning backwards, Fiorillo fingertips it away for a corner!

{live, 18:41, Juve subs}

Milik and Yildiz on, Vlahovic and Rugani off.

{live, 18:37, Salernitana sub}

Kastanos on, Ikwuemesi off. A former Juve youth team player.

{live, 18:37, Juve chance}

Cambiaso cross floated across the face of goal, Vlahovic and Bremer flying in can’t connect.

{live, 18:35, Oh dear}

A well-worked Juve passing move, until Gatti literally falls over trying to roll across.

{live, 18:30, Gatti over}

Juve free kick to the back post, Gatti nods over the bar!

{live, 18:30, Salernitana sub}

Legowski on, Vignato off

{live, 18:29, Coming up}

#ASRoma | #AtalantaRoma pic.twitter.com/sTdnetkxVx

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 12, 2024

{live, 18:27, Juve siege}

Fazio charges down Chiesa strike, then Locatelli effort deflected, on the resulting corner Chiesa curler through a sea of bodies flashes inches wide!

{live, 18:26, Huge Juve chance!}

Chiesa cross-shot is low, Pierozzi comes flying in to clear, it hits Rugani and goes wide! Could’ve gone anywhere.

{live, 18:24, Vlahovic so close!}

End to end! Tchaouna counters from a Juve corner, Coulibaly gets into a tangle, loses it, Chiesa then sparks the counter-counter, sends Vlahovic through and angled drive SKIMS the far post!

{live, 18:22, Juve push}

Chiesa weak finish charged down, then Locatelli and Vignato both go with high foot for the loose ball and referee is right there, waves play on.

{live, 18:20, Fazio over}

Salernitana free kick, Fazio header loops up and onto the roof of the net.

{live, 18:17, Oh….}

VAR had a check for a possible penalty, Rabiot handball on the corner. Looks like it was decided that his arm was in a natural enough position to avoid a spot-kick.

{live, 18:15, Salernitana corner}

Sambia for Pierozzi header, just like the goal, but this time blocked.

{live, 18:11, Juve effort}

Iling Junior snapshot from distance, but easy for Fiorillo.

{live, 18:10, 2nd half kicks off: Juventus 0-1 Salernitana}

Allegri confirms they remain 3-5-2. Big cheer for Chiesa.

{live, 18:06, Juve subs}

Chiesa, Iling and Miretti on, Kostic, McKennie and Kean off.

{live, 17:52, Half-Time: Juventus 0-1 Salernitana}

Loud jeers from the home fans, which is the most noise they’ve made so far today.

{live, 17:51, Kostic wide}

Juve corner taken short, Kostic drills wide of the near post.

{live, 17:46, Juve chance}

Cambiaso left-foot curler flashes just wide from the edge of the area. In fact, that might’ve just clipped the upright!

{live, 17:43, Sambia lively}

Sambia down the left, shrugs off McKennie, shot blocked by Gatti.

{live, 17:41, Kean goes down}

Too weak with Pierozzi behind him, went down as soon as he felt a hand. Ref not falling for it.

{live, 17:39, Huge Salernitana chance!}

Penalty appeals rejected, Szczesny ran a huge risk going one on one to push the ball off the feet of Ikwuemesi after great work from Tchaouna!

{live, 17:37, Bremer!}

The crowd wonder where Bremer is going surging forward, then why he just hit it from 25 metres out, then hold their breath as it flashes just wide!

{live, 17:34, Szczesny save!}

Almost 2-0 for Salernitana, Sambia free kick dips and Szczesny flies to palm it out of the near top corner!

{live, 17:33, Juve frayed}

Gatti shove on Ikwuemesi, then the defender reacts angrily to the referee awarding a free kick.

{live, 17:29, Juventus 0-1 Salernitana: Niccolo’ Pierozzi!}

That is some bad defending! Pierozzi totally unmarked for a powerful free header from six yards on the Sambia corner, it squirms past Szczesny at the near post!

{live, 17:28, Rabiot booked}

Another Juventus player carded, again for a foul on Coulibaly, this one much clearer as he was considerably late.

{live, 17:25, Vlahovic booked}

Vlahovic is stunned he has gone into the book for being late on Coulibaly. It was more of a collision than anything else.

{live, 17:23, Offside flag up}

Not terribly convinced McKennie was offside…

{live, 17:19, Juve attempt}

Juventus corner, Rabiot tries an acrobatic volley, but slips. Bremer then prevents a Salernitana counter.

{live, 17:13, Few problems}

Allegri furious with his defenders after a Salernitana attack, meanwhile the referee needs the audio equipment changed to communicate with the VAR. Might just be drenched by the ridiculous rain. Even the Juve subs are hiding.

{live, 17:11, Vlahovic off the crossbar!}

Scorcher from distance and Fiorillo has to fingertip that onto the crossbar!

{live, 17:09, Salernitana again}

Pierozzi snapshot, but straight at Szczesny.

{live, 17:05, Oh dear}

That’s not just heavy rain, that’s thunder over Turin…

{live, 17:04, Bremer decisive}

Good chance for Salernitana, Vignato surged off on the counter, Bremer had to cut across and steal it.

{live, 17:03, We have kick-off in Juventus vs. Salernitana!}

{live, 17:01, A minute’s silence}

For the 5 victims of a work-related accident near Palermo.

{live, 16:59, The teams are out}

Juventus: Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Vlahovic, Kean

Salernitana: Fiorillo; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pirola; Zanoli, Coulibaly, Basic, Sambia; Vignato, Tchaouna; Ikwuemesi

{live, 16:54, Max Allegri}

Max Allegri warns Juventus against thinking of the Coppa Italia Final with Atalanta, as they must ‘prove that we deserve’ victory against Salernitana first https://t.co/F08rsYdYLg #Juventus #Atalanta #JuveSalernitana #CoppaItalia #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 16:42, Ew}

Vlahovic tries to juggle with his chewing gum, fails, so stamps it into the turf. Gross.

{live, 16:40, Juventus ultras protesting}

Juve ultras released a very long and long-winded statement on a flyer saying their season ‘ends here’ and they’ll sit in silence for the final home game. Again, they are protesting against the club hierarchy.

{live, 16:26, Nirvana in the stadium}

A song with “here we are now, entertain us” feels pointed ahead of an Allegri game.

{live, 16:13, Warm-ups}

Watch the Juventus vs. Salernitana warm-ups live on the Lega Serie A YouTube Channel.

{live, 16:06, Match report}

#Genoa 2-1 #Sassuolo

Sassuolo fumbled the lead for an unlucky 2-1 defeat away to Genoa that leaves them verging on relegation to Serie B https://t.co/KgSBCGaO3S #GenoaSassuolo #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 16:03, Match report}

#HellasVerona 1-2 #Torino

Verona were about to celebrate Serie A safety when stunned by the Torino turnaround through Zanos Savva and Pietro Pellegri https://t.co/kdo3rWLB3r #VeronaTorino #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 16:01, FT: Genoa 2-1 Sassuolo}

The Neroverdi are in serious, serious trouble.

{live, 15:56, FT: Verona 1-2 Torino}

That was unexpected!

{live, 15:55, Juventus vs. Salernitana line-ups}

Juventus: Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Vlahovic, Kean

Salernitana: Fiorillo; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pirola; Zanoli, Coulibaly, Basic, Sambia; Vignato, Tchaouna; Ikwuemesi

{live, 15:50, Verona goal disallowed}

Ball in the net, but foul given for Henry push on Della Valle.

{live, 15:48, Ooh!}

Such a big chance for Verona to equalise, corner taken short, VMS punches the cross onto the face of Swiderski, it ricochets off him and goes inches wide!

{live, 15:43, Verona 1-2 Torino: Pietro Pellegri!}

How did that go in? Hard to get a tighter angle than that from Pellegrini down the right, his finish went through the legs of Montipo’, bounced off the inside of the far post and back into the net!

{live, 15:41, Torino again}

Pellegri can’t get the header on target from a Linetty cross.

{live, 15:40, Save on Ricci}

Toro have woken up, Ricci gets down the right and forces a save at the near post.

{live, 15:38, Verona 1-1 Torino: Zanos Savva!}

Goal out of nowhere, name out of nowhere, Zanos Savva scores on his Serie A debut! Cross from the right went over Pellegri’s head, but found Savva right behind him.

{live, 15:35, Save on Suslov!}

Verona counter, Suslov strike brilliantly parried by one strong hand at the near post by VMS!

{live, 15:34, Verona chance!}

Oh dear! VMS flapped at the cross, nowhere near it and Coppola header wide at the back post!

{live, 15:29, Genoa 2-1 Sassuolo: Marash Kumbulla og!}

Turnaround! Counter-attack from Genoa’s own penalty area, Gudmundsson surged forward, spread to Ekuban, roll across goes beyond Retegui, but bounces in off Kumbulla!

{live, 15:27, Verona 1-0 Torino: Karol Swiderski!}

Oh Tameze… It was a Torino throw-in, Tameze for some reason threw it straight at a Verona player and it was pulled back from the by-line by Serdar for Swiderski to tap in!

{live, 15:27, Badelj goal}

Milan Badelj sneaks in at the back post and scores what could be a decisive goal regarding the fight for survival in Serie A

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/3azzTQdTIV

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 12, 2024

{live, 15:25, Verona chance}

A good quick passing move, Noslin pulls back for Suslov, who scuffs the finish horribly wide from 12 yards!

{live, 15:21, Genoa 1-1 Sassuolo: Milan Badelj!}

Martin corner flicked on by Thorsby and nobody was marking Badelj for the free header at the back post!

{live, 15:18, OOF!}

Lauriente nudged in the back, goes flying face-first into the cover over the bench. He’s ok, fortunately.

{live, 15:13, Bonazzoli apologises}

Bonazzoli cross over-hit for Lazovic, he waves an apology.

{live, 15:10, 2nd half kicks off: Genoa 0-1 Sassuolo}

Spence and Ekuban on, Sabelli and Vogliacco off.

{live, 15:07, Save on Noslin!}

A big Verona chance, Noslin shakes off a defender, cuts inside and the low shot is palmed out of the far bottom corner!

{live, 15:06, 2nd half kicks off: Verona 0-0 Torino}

No changes

{live, 14:52, Half-Time: Genoa 0-1 Sassuolo}

Thorsby goal disallowed for handball, then Pinamonti penalty for De Winter clipping Lauriente’s heels.

{live, 14:49, Half-Time: Verona 0-0 Torino}

{live, 14:47, Verona threaten}

Noslin down the left, cuts inside and gets the shot away, crucial block from Vojvoda.

{live, 14:45, Sassuolo chance}

Pull-back from the by-line, Vasquez slips, but Lauriente first touch is heavy and allows the defender to get back at him.

{live, 14:39, Genoa appeals}

Gudmundsson goes down after crossing paths with Obiang, but no penalty.

{live, 14:37, Sassuolo chance}

Martinez gets across to palm a Lauriente free kick round the near post. On the resulting corner, Thorstvedt header again at the goalkeeper.

{live, 14:36, Verona risk own goal}

Coppola header goes just wide anticipating Sanabria on the Tameze cross, that was risky.

{live, 14:33, Genoa 0-1 Sassuolo: Andrea Pinamonti penalty!}

Sent Martinez the wrong way to sweep into the near bottom corner.

{live, 14:31, Penalty for Sassuolo!}

Turns out it wasn’t just the turf, De Winter trod on the back of Lauriente’s boot!

{live, 14:30, Oh dear}

Lauriente’ on the counter for Sassuolo, goes down in the box, but it’s because he kicked the turf.

{live, 14:26, Verona chance}

Phew! Noslin free header, but very central and plucked out of the air by VMS.

{live, 14:26, Sigh}

Liveblog isn’t broken, there’s just nothing happening. In two games.

{live, 14:19, Lazovic attempt}

Verona, Lazovic curler charged down.

{live, 14:17, Toro errors}

Torino give away two rather avoidable corners in a row.

{live, 14:11, Genoa goal disallowed!}

There was a handball in there somewhere…

{live, 14:08, Genoa 1-0 Sassuolo: Morten Thorsby}

Bit of a chaotic goal, to be kind to Sassuolo… Let’s just call that a total disaster. Martin cross flapped at horribly by the goalkeeper, then Matheus Henrique for reasons known only to himself deflects it back towards the goal, turning into an assist for the Thorsby header.

{live, 14:02, We have kick-off!}

{live, 14:00, Minute’s silence}

A minute’s silence before kick-off for the 5 victims of the work-related accident in Palermo.

{live, 14:00, Mother’s Day shirts}

Genoa and Torino are among the teams who are wearing their maternal surnames on the back of the jersey in honour of Mother’s Day.

{live, 13:50, Genoa vs. Sassuolo line-ups}

Genoa: Martinez; Vogliacco, De Winter, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Thorsby, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui

Sassuolo: Consigli; Erlic, Kumbulla, Ferrari; Toljan, Obiang, Matheus Henrique, Thorstvedt, Doig; Laurienté, Pinamonti

{live, 13:49, Verona vs. Torino line-ups}

Verona: Montipò; Centonze, Magnani, Dawidowicz, Coppola, Cabal; Serdar, Duda, Lazovic; Noslin, Bonazzoli

Torino: Milinkovic-Savic; Masina, Lovato, Rodriguez; Bellanova, Tameze, Ricci, Ilic, Vojvoda; Zapata, Sanabria

{live, 13:45, Serie A Table}

Verona 34*

Cagliari 33

Frosinone 32

Empoli 32

Empoli 30*

Sassuolo 29*

Salernitana 15*

*game in hand

{live, 13:36, Vecino goal}

Matías Vecino all but wraps up a home win for Lazio

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/7usRJd6tKf

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 12, 2024

{live, 13:35, Lazio 2-0 Empoli}

#Lazio 2-0 #Empoli

Lazio are on a roll with their fourth win in five Serie A games, as Patric and Matias Vecino got the better of relegation strugglers Empoli to stay in the European race https://t.co/TRpIgqNSNl #LazioEmpoli #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 12, 2024

{live, 13:30, FT: Lazio 2-0 Empoli}

Last kick of the game, wonderful Fazzini free kick was going into the near top corner, but Mandas flew to palm it away!

{live, 13:23, Lazio 2-0 Empoli: Matias Vecino!}

Good passing move left to right, Pedro rolls across for Vecino, who runs forward through the centre, takes a touch and beats Caprile.

{live, 13:22, Lazio sub}

Cataldi replaces Kamada

{live, 13:20, Mandas save!}

Genuine Empoli chance there, corner finds Shpendi for the header at the back post, crucial Mandas save to parry!

{live, 13:15, Empoli waste}

Free kick from the edge of the area, charged down by Kamada. Another free kick, Shpendi header easy for Mandas.

{live, 13:10, Subs}

Pedro replaces Zaccagni.

Fazzini and Shpendi on for Maleh and Luperto. Empoli go 4 at the back.

{live, 13:04, Kamada strike}

Power behind it, but was also straight at the goalkeeper.

{live, 13:03, Empoli push}

Cambiaghi flashes a ball across the six-yard box, but nobody is ready to tap in.

{live, 13:01, Vecino wide}

Lazio counter with Vecino running from his own half, but he drills wide from the D.

{live, 13:00, Empoli subs}

Destro and Cacace on, Pezzella and Caputo off. Still no Niang?

{live, 13:00, Verona vs. Torino line-ups}

Verona: Montipò; Centonze, Magnani, Dawidowicz, Coppola, Cabal; Serdar, Duda, Lazovic; Noslin, Bonazzoli

Torino: Milinkovic-Savic; Masina, Lovato, Rodriguez; Bellanova, Tameze, Ricci, Ilic, Vojvoda; Zapata, Sanabria

{live, 12:58, Lazio subs}

Rovella, Castellanos and Vecino on, Felipe Anderson, Immobile and Guendouzi off.

{live, 12:54, Felipe Anderson over}

Felipe Anderson attempt from outside the box deflected over, first of a series of corners for Lazio.

{live, 12:51, Bad idea, Caputo}

Caputo gathers with his back to goal, really should lay it off rather than fire high and wide from an improbable position.

{live, 12:50, Genoa vs. Sassuolo line-ups}

Genoa: Martinez; Vogliacco, De Winter, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Thorsby, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui

Sassuolo: Consigli; Erlic, Kumbulla, Ferrari; Toljan, Obiang, Matheus Henrique, Thorstvedt, Doig; Laurienté, Pinamonti

{live, 12:49, Empoli sub}

Cambiaghi on for Bastoni.

{live, 12:47, Immobile slip}

Lazio counter after Maleh free kick appeal rejected, but Immobile then slips at the crucial moment.

{live, 12:41, Lazio chance}

An odd bobble on the pitch surprises Zaccagni, who can’t finish it off.

{live, 12:39, 2nd half kicks off: Lazio 1-0 Empoli}

{live, 12:30, Patric goal}

Pinpoint from Mattia Zaccagni

Up from the back, Patric fires Lazio into the lead against Empoli…

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/nfY52xbgul

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 12, 2024

{live, 12:22, Half-Time: Lazio 1-0 Empoli}

Lazio lead, realistically somewhat against the run of play.

{live, 12:20, Lazio 1-0 Empoli: Patric!}

Zaccagni free kick charged down by Gyasi’s face, but on the resulting Zaccagni corner, nobody is marking Patric, who is allowed totally unmarked to flick in off the outside of the boot from a couple of yards! Bereszynski lost his man.

{live, 12:18, Empoli again}

Caputo robs Lazzari on the edge of the area, but Maleh fires over. The crowd jeers in irritation.

{live, 12:15, Calm down, Patric}

A well-worked Empoli passing move, roll across from the right intercepted by Patric, who then does a full-on multiple fist-pump celebration like he just scored. Move continues, shot over the bar.

{live, 12:10, Caprile save}

Immobile springs the offside trap, sees nobody in support, so has to go for goal at the near post, Caprile palms it round the upright!

{live, 12:08, What a save, Mandas!}

Huuuuuuge chance for Empoli! Guendouzi error gives it away, Cancellieri nutmegs Romagnoli and rolls across for Caputo, stunning save from Mandas!

{live, 12:06, Empoli threaten}

Bastoni with not quite a cross, not quite a shot, goes past everyone and the far top corner.

{live, 12:00, Empoli chance}

Oh they should’ve done better there! Empoli corner, Ismajli fairly free diving header over the bar!

{live, 11:57, Immobile chance}

That was odd. Immobile give and go, bursts into the box, goes around Caprile and then goes down a long time afterwards, seemed to just put his foot down badly. Didn’t appear to be any contact.

{live, 11:56, Lazio chance}

Kamada through ball for Immobile, Ismajli crucial block to force him wide for the corner.

{live, 11:53, Empoli once more}

Kamada gives it away horribly in midfield, Bastoni curler from distance has Mandas stranded, but skims the crossbar!

{live, 11:51, Empoli again}

Bastoni attempt charged down in the box.

{live, 11:50, Empoli goal disallowed}

Ciccio Caputo scores at the second attempt one-on-one with Mandas, but was visibly offside.

{live, 11:47, Pezzella risky}

Pezzella clotheslines Felipe Anderson, somehow not a yellow card.

{live, 11:43, Felipe Anderson effort}

Nice dribble down the left from Kamada, pull back for Felipe Anderson, but the finish is charged down.

{live, 11:40, Ismajli alert}

Felipe Anderson cross for Immobile, crucial Ismajli header to intercept. Crowd already annoyed with Caprile for taking ages over his goal kicks.

{live, 11:39, Whoops}

Referee a bit too close to the action, got bumped by the ball twice already, much to the irritation of Guendouzi.

{live, 11:33, We have kick-off in Lazio vs. Empoli!}

The first of five Serie A games today.

{live, 11:31, A minute’s silence}

Before all games this weekend, a minute’s silence for the 5 victims of the work accident in Palermo.

{live, 11:28, Out come the teams}

Lazio: Mandas; Patric, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Lazzari, Guendouzi, Kamada, Marusic; Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni; Immobile

Empoli: Caprile; Bereszynski, Ismajli, Luperto; Gyasi, Bastoni, Marin, Maleh, Pezzella; Cancellieri, Caputo

{live, 11:21, Scudetto-winning heroes}

Gli 𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐈 del 1974#AvantiLazio pic.twitter.com/zmOlbYmoJ6

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) May 12, 2024

Lazio ieri. Lazio oggi. 𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗜𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘.#AvantiLazio pic.twitter.com/7xmKUlz26l

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) May 12, 2024

{live, 11:06, Celebrating Scudetto anniversary}

#AvantiLazio pic.twitter.com/WdFikYf6Xb

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) May 12, 2024

{live, 10:53, Special shirt}

Lazio wearing a special edition jersey to mark the 50th anniversary of their first Scudetto in 1973-74.

La maglia celebrativa del nostro primo mitico Scudetto è disponibile negli store e nello shop online.

1974-2024, la Storia si veste di nuovo.

Scopri di più su https://t.co/crVStWGPIf!#unamagliaunaleggenda pic.twitter.com/wWLkHI9C53

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) April 26, 2024

{live, 10:45, Igor Tudor}

Lazio coach Igor Tudor confirms to Sky Sport Italia before kick-off that Luis Alberto has been left out of the squad. He is not injured.

{live, 10:24, Lazio vs. Empoli line-ups}

Lazio: Mandas; Patric, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Lazzari, Guendouzi, Kamada, Marusic; Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni; Immobile

Empoli: Caprile; Bereszynski, Ismajli, Luperto; Gyasi, Bastoni, Marin, Maleh, Pezzella; Cancellieri, Caputo

Serie A Super Sunday

All the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games, Lazio-Empoli, Genoa-Sassuolo, Verona-Torino, Juventus-Salernitana and a massive Atalanta-Roma for fifth place.

We begin at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT) with Lazio fighting for Europe against an Empoli side battling against relegation.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), there’s Genoa-Sassuolo and Verona-Torino.

Juventus host already-relegated Salernitana at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), where the Bianconeri can guarantee Champions League qualification.

All eyes on Bergamo at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), as Atalanta and Roma go head-to-head for fifth place after the Europa League semi-finals.

Verona and Sassuolo fumbled leads to suffer defeats and now there are six teams crammed in a five-point radius, with two going down to Serie B.

The race is increasingly tight to avoid relegation from Serie A, although Lecce have guaranteed their safety on 37 points, even before tomorrow’s game with Udinese.

Verona would’ve been safe too with a win today and were leading against Torino at the Stadio Bentegodi before capitulating 2-1 this afternoon.

That leaves them on 34 points, only one clear of Cagliari and two ahead of both Frosinone and Empoli.

Serie A relegation race hots up

Udinese could take a huge leap forward tomorrow, as if they beat Lecce, then they’ll clamber from 18^th place to joint 15^th on 33 points, the same as Cagliari.

Sassuolo had the opportunity to catch up too, but remain in penultimate place on 29 points following a 2-1 defeat to Genoa, a match they had been leading at half-time.

Next week’s fixtures look as if they could be decisive, specifically Sassuolo-Cagliari and Udinese-Empoli, while Verona visit doomed Salernitana.

Sassuolo fumbled the lead for an unlucky 2-1 defeat away to Genoa that leaves them verging on relegation to Serie B.

The Grifone welcomed Albert Gudmundsson back after flu symptoms, but still missed Vitinha, Mattia Bani, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Junior Messias and Alan Matturro. Sassuolo gave themselves hope of staying up with a shock 1-0 win over Inter, though Gregoire Defrel, Samu Castillejo and Domenico Berardi were still sidelined.

The teams wore special edition jerseys with their maternal surnames on the back, in honour of Mother’s Day.

See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.

Genoa had the ball in the net early on after some truly chaotic defending, as Andrea Consigli flapped at the Aaron Martin cross, Matheus Henrique’s clearance somehow went back towards goal rather than away from it, turning into an assist for the Morten Thorsby header. However, it was disallowed by VAR due to a handling offence.

Armand Lauriente went down in the box after Koni De Winter trod on the back of his foot, taking the boot off, so Andrea Pinamonti converted the resulting penalty to give Sassuolo the lead.

Lauriente’s free kick was palmed round the post, then his first touch let him down, unable to make the most of a Johan Vasquez slip on the Josh Doig cross.

Gudmundsson also had penalty appeals rejected as he crossed paths with Pedro Obiang and they collided.

Genoa equalised from a set play, as Thorsby flicked on the Martin corner and Milan Badelj was left unmarked to nod in at the back post.

The hosts turned it around with a classic counter-attack that started in their own penalty area, Gudmundsson spreading to Caleb Ekuban, the roll across beyond Retegui, but bouncing in by accident off Marash Kumbulla’s shin.

Genoa 2-1 Sassuolo

Pinamonti pen 31 (S), Badejl 56 (G), Kumbulla og 63 (G)

12-05-2024 14:00

MatchDay 36

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Sassuolo

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

31'

Andrea Pinamonti

2nd half

Morten Thorsby		48'
		50'		Pedro Obiang
Milan Badelj (Assist: Morten Thorsby)		56'
Marash Kumbulla		63'
		75'		Josh Doig

Match statistic

57

Possession %

43

8

Total shots

12

2

Shots on target

4

3

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

3

3

Corners

7

3

Offsides

13

Fouls

10

Genoa

Sassuolo

Starting lineups

1

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

14

Alessandro Vogliacco

Defender

46'

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

4

Koni De Winter

Defender

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

46'

47

Milan Badelj

Midfielder

85'

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

11

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

75'

19

Mateo Retegui

Attacker

88'

47

Andrea Consigli

Goalkeeper

13

Gian Marco Ferrari

Defender

22

Jeremy Toljan

Defender

43

Josh Doig

Defender

19

Marash Kumbulla

Defender

68'

5

Martin Erlic

Defender

87'

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

67'

7

Matheus Henrique

Midfielder

87'

14

Pedro Obiang

Midfielder

76'

9

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Giorgio Cittadini

Defender

55

Ridgeciano Haps

Defender

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

16

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

33

Alan Matturro

Defender

18

Caleb Ekuban

Attacker

46'

90

Djed Spence

Defender

46'

8

Kevin Strootman

Midfielder

75'

5

Emil Bohinen

Midfielder

85'

David Ankeye

Attacker

88'

2

Filippo Missori

Defender

21

Mattia Viti

Defender

28

Alessio Cragno

Goalkeeper

25

Gianluca Pegolo

Goalkeeper

15

Emil Konradsen Ceide

Attacker

44

Ruan Tressoldi

Defender

24

Daniel Boloca

Midfielder

3

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

11

Nedim Bajrami

Midfielder

67'

23

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

68'

6

Uros Racic

Midfielder

76'

8

Samuele Mulattieri

Attacker

87'

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

87'

Check the official line-ups for this afternoon’s Serie A games, as Genoa–Sassuolo and Verona–Torino could have a big effect on the relegation battle.

They both kick off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A matches on the LIVEBLOG.

The fight to avoid the drop has narrowed down a little already, as the Grifone and Lecce are mathematically safe, while Frosinone and Cagliari suffered heavy defeats this weekend.

Genoa vs. Sassuolo

Genoa: Martinez; Vogliacco, De Winter, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Thorsby, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui

Sassuolo: Consigli; Erlic, Kumbulla, Ferrari; Toljan, Obiang, Matheus Henrique, Thorstvedt, Doig; Laurienté, Pinamonti

Verona vs. Torino

Verona: Montipò; Centonze, Magnani, Dawidowicz, Coppola, Cabal; Serdar, Duda, Lazovic; Noslin, Bonazzoli

Torino: Milinkovic-Savic; Masina, Lovato, Rodriguez; Bellanova, Tameze, Ricci, Ilic, Vojvoda; Zapata, Sanabria

Five Serie A matches are set to take place this Sunday, including Lazio’s visit from Empoli and Juventus’ hosting of Salernitana, which could mathematically secure a spot in the 2024-25 Champions League for Max Allegri’s side. 

Lazio and Empoli are up first, kicking off at 11.30 BST. Luis Alberto is expected to be left out of the starting line-up for tactical reasons. 

The Biancocelesti could instead line up with a midfield pairing of Matteo Guendouzi and Daichi Kamada, with Mattia Zaccagni and Felipe Anderson on the flanks in support of centre-forward Ciro Immobile. 

Genoa have a fully fit and available squad ready to face Sassuolo, who themselves are without Domenico Berardi, Samu Castillejo and Gregoire Defrel. 

Ivan Juric is not expected to make too many alterations to his Torino side when they face Hellas Verona.  

Reports over the weekend suggest that Allegri could make several changes to his side ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final against Atalanta. 

Several players, including the likes of Adrien Rabiot, captain Danilo and leading goalscorer Dusan Vlahovic, could be afforded a rest, according to updates from Gianluca Di Marzio. 

That means that Southampton loanee Carlos Alcaraz could be given a go in midfield, Samuel Iling-Junior could feature, and Arkadiusz Milik is in line for a run-out. 

Serie A probable line-ups 

Lazio-Empoli (11.30 BST)

Lazio (3-4-2-1): Mandas; Patric, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Lazzari, Kamada, Guendouzi, Marusic; Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni; Immobile.

Empoli (3-2-4-1): Caprile; Bereszynski, Ismajli, Luperto; Gyasi, Grassi, Marin, Pezzella; Fazzini, Cambiaghi; Niang. 

Genoa-Sassuolo (14.00)

Genoa (3-4-1-2): Martinez; Vogliacco, De Winter, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Martin; Ekuban; Retegui, Gudmundsson. 

Sassuolo (3-5-2): Consigli; Erlic, Ferrari, Kumbulla; Toljan, Henrique, Lipani, Thorstvedt, Doig; Pinamonti, Lauriente. 

Verona-Torino (14.00)

Verona (4-2-3-1): Montipo; Centonze, Coppola, Magnani, Cabal; Serdar, Duda; Noslin, Suslov, Lazovic; Bonazzoli. 

Torino (3-4-1-2): Milinkovic-Savic; Vojvoda, Buongiorno, Masina; Bellanova, Ilic, Ricci, Rodriguez; Vlasic; Zapata, Sanabria. 

Juventus-Salernitana (17.00)

Juventus (3-5-2): Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Alcaraz, Iling Junior; Milik, Chiesa

Salernitana (3-4-2-1): Fiorillo; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pirola; Sambia, Coulibaly, Basic, Zanoli; Vignato, Tchaouna; Ikwuemesi. 

Atalanta-Roma (19.45)

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Hateboer, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Pasalic; Miranchuk, Scamacca.

Roma (4-3-3): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Smalling, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Baldanzi, Lukaku, El Shaarawy.

The Lega Serie A have confirmed the dates and kick-off times for Week 37 fixtures and also announced Atalanta–Fiorentina will be on June 2 – after the season has ended.

This will be the penultimate full round of the tournament and it could not be set in stone until today because they had to work around several issues.

These include the participation of Atalanta in the Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen and of Fiorentina in the Conference League Final with Olympiacos.

The Lega Serie A also confirmed the match between Atalanta and Fiorentina, originally scheduled for March 17, will be played in Bergamo on Sunday June 2 at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).

It was called off when Fiorentina director Joe Barone collapsed in the team hotel, dying two days later in hospital.

Serie A Week 37

Friday May 17

Fiorentina-Napoli (19.45 UK)

Saturday May 18

Lecce-Atalanta (17.00 UK)

Torino–Milan (19.45 UK)

Sunday May 19

Sassuolo–Cagliari (11.30 UK)

Monza-Frosinone (14.00 UK)

Udinese–Empoli (14.00 UK)

Inter–Lazio (17.00 UK)

Roma–Genoa (19.45 UK)

Monday May 20

Salernitana–Verona (17.30 UK)

Bologna–Juventus (19.45 UK)

Lecce and Verona took big steps towards Serie A safety today, but Sassuolo’s 1-0 win over Inter brings Cagliari, Empoli and Frosinone back into danger.

There are three more rounds to play after this weekend is completed and the fight to avoid dropping into Serie B is hotting up all the time.

Lecce were already feeling confident, but the 1-1 draw away to 10-man Cagliari helped consolidate their advantage over the chasing pack.

The biggest result was Verona seeing off Fiorentina 2-1 at the Stadio Bentegodi with a Darko Lazovic penalty and Tijjani Noslin strike.

That propelled them ahead of Cagliari on 34 points into 14^th place, leaving the Sardinians behind on 33.

Empoli and Frosinone shared the spoils in a goalless draw and therefore remain locked together on 32 points in 16^th and 17^th place respectively.

Sassuolo had looked doomed, but Saturday’s surprise 1-0 win over Champions of Italy Inter has seen them catch Udinese on 29 points.

If Udinese manage to beat struggling Napoli at the Bluenergy Stadium on Monday evening, then they will climb up to 32 points, level with Empoli and Frosinone.

Serie A relegation run-in

The Serie A run-ins are tough too, as next week there is Frosinone-Inter, Milan-Cagliari, Lazio-Empoli, Genoa-Sassuolo, Verona-Torino and Lecce-Udinese.

In Serie A Week 37 there’s Lecce-Atalanta, Monza-Frosinone, Salernitana-Verona, Sassuolo-Cagliari and a massive Udinese-Empoli.

The final round has Cagliari-Fiorentina, Empoli-Roma, Frosinone-Udinese, Verona-Inter, Lazio-Sassuolo and Napoli-Lecce.

Davide Ballardini acknowledges Sassuolo wrote history by doing the ‘double’ against Inter and this can push them on to secure Serie A safety.

The Neroverdi have written their place in the history books too, as no matter what happens, they are the only team to have beaten Champions of Italy Inter not just once, but twice in Serie A this season.

They had also won 2-1 at San Siro on September 27, although their coach at the time was Alessio Dionisi.

Ballardini had struggled to turn things around since taking over at the start of March, overseeing one win, three draws and four defeats.

“It is a huge achievement, because for a team like ours to beat Inter is an extraordinary event, especially considering the current situation,” Ballardini told Sky Sport Italia.

“Everyone, from strikers to defenders, showed great focus and concentration. We can do better on the ball, have more confidence and control situations better, but we worked as a team unit against the Champions of Italy and that is what Sassuolo must be.”

Sassuolo write history

They had also changed to a 3-5-2 formation to mirror the Inter system and that helped to neutralise their opponents.

“Systems only mean so much, but clearly when they attack with so many players, you need to cover those spaces. The important thing we saw today was the spirit and sense of sacrifice.”

Although they remain in the bottom two, this unexpected victory does give Sassuolo hope of potentially avoiding relegation.

“Sassuolo are fortunate to have players who really care, perhaps too much at some moments. The club supports us, so these are the ingredients we need to survive in Serie A.

“If we are the team I saw this evening, with players who sent strong signals, then we can do it. Sassuolo were not accustomed to being in such a tough fight for survival.”

Sassuolo have their place in history, becoming only the third team to take six out of six points off the Champions of Italy.

The others were Torino in 1994-95 and Sampdoria in 2012-13, both against Juventus.

Simone Inzaghi admits Inter ‘didn’t have the right approach’ to their defeat at Sassuolo, but reveals he asked the club to keep his Scudetto-winning squad complete.

In an incredible twist of fate, the only two Serie A defeats suffered by the Champions of Italy this season were both against Sassuolo.

They fell 2-1 at San Siro on September 27 and then 1-0 at the Mapei Stadium this evening, beaten by an Armand Laurienté goal after Denzel Dumfries was caught napping by Josh Doig.

“We started sluggish and didn’t have the right approach to the game,” Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.

“We did better moving the ball around quickly after their goal and probably deserved an equaliser. We tried changing things up, using different systems and more strikers, but we didn’t create enough in the second half. We should’ve done more, it’s a pity we didn’t manage to get something from the game for the fans who were here.”

This is also the first time in 42 consecutive matches that Inter failed to find the back of the net.

“We had scored for 42 matches in a row since Inter-Monza last year, but Sassuolo defended well, clammed up and fought hard, so they deserve the credit. I am sad at the defeat, but Sassuolo sacrificed themselves.”

There was inevitably a bit of a hangover after the Scudetto parade through the city streets last Sunday, culminating in a party at Piazza Duomo.

“This is the Scudetto of joy, a deserved victory that allowed us to crown this three-year process and we got to celebrate the second star with our fans. It’s right to enjoy it, but there are still three games to go and we have to focus. It hurts to lose, and it should hurt.”

The Nerazzurri dominated possession with 75.8 per cent, and saw a Lautaro Martinez goal ruled offside, but made little impact on the Sassuolo brick wall of defence with just one shot on target.

It means Inzaghi’s hopes of at least reaching 100 Serie A points for the season have now evaporated, as the maximum he can achieve now is 98.

In another curiosity, Inter had not lost to a team in the bottom two of Serie A at the start of the matchday since November 2014 against Parma.

Inter have already qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup next summer, so that will inevitably affect Inzaghi’s plans for the next season, which will be effectively a year long, and they need a bigger squad.

“Without doubt it will be a new experience, much like a two-month break for the World Cup was last year. The season will be longer, we have these extra games and will certainly have to expand the squad. I read that the European lists can be longer too, as the Champions League is expanded as well.

“It will be new for all the teams involved in these competitions, but we will be prepared.”

Inzaghi looks forward to next season

Piotr Zielinski and Medhi Taremi have already agreed to join Inter as free agents from Napoli and FC Porto respectively, so what are they looking for next?

“We are talking about it with the club and they deserve credit for working behind the scenes to get these two players. We’ll have to see, you start the summer with certain objectives and then the transfer market is unpredictable,” continued Inzaghi.

“Seeing all the games we need to play and how long the season will be, we do need a bigger squad. Fortunately, we worked on prevention with the fitness staff and had relatively few injuries this season. Rest is very important too, especially for those who return from EURO 2024 and the Copa America.”

Marko Arnautovic and Alexis Sanchez are among those who could be on the way out, but Inzaghi revealed he made a request to CEO Beppe Marotta.

“I already told the club that I want to go into next season with all the players I had this term, not losing a single one. Arnautovic and Sanchez didn’t play as much as the other strikers, but they always stepped up and delivered when needed.

“I have been in football for many years, so I know full well that there are needs and requirements, so things can change, but I told the club that I would like to keep them all,” concluded Inzaghi.

Inter seemed to have a hangover from their Scudetto celebrations, suffering their second defeat of the season – both to Sassuolo – thanks to an Armand Laurienté effort.

The Neroverdi were desperate in penultimate place, plus Ruan Tressoldi was suspended with Samu Castillejo, Gregoire Defrel and Domenico Berardi injured, while Mattia Viti and Kristian Thorstvedt were not fully fit either. The Champions of Italy were out for revenge after the 2-1 defeat on September 27, their only Serie A loss of the season, and Davide Frattesi started against his old club.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Stefan de Vrij made a decisive sliding tackle to stop Matheus Henrique going clear, while Emil Audero got down quickly to palm away the Luca Lipani strike.

Lautaro Martinez came sliding in to meet a Denzel Dumfries cross and hit the side-netting, but Sassuolo opened the scoring after a Dumfries error.

The Dutchman was caught napping by Josh Doig near the corner flag, robbed and the ball pulled back for Armand Laurienté to sweep into the roof of the net first-time from 10 yards.

Sassuolo take the lead over the Serie A champions!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/I1YDmzFJQ6

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 4, 2024

Dumfries had the opportunity to make up for it five minutes later when sent through by the Kristjan Asllani slide-rule pass, but his angled drive flashed across the face of goal.

Inter did get the ball in the net in first half stoppages when a Carlos Augusto strike was deflected into the path of Lautaro Martinez to tap in at the back post, but the VAR review confirmed that he was offside.

Marko Arnautovic had an angled drive charged down, as it turned into a siege on the entire Sassuolo team sitting back to defend their lead. Arnautovic also failed to turn in the Juan Cuadrado pull-back from the by-line thanks to a crucial Marash Kumbulla block and Lautaro Martinez ballooned over.

The result dents Inter’s hopes of achieving a club record number of points this season, but it gives Sassuolo unexpected hope of avoiding relegation.

Sassuolo 1-0 Inter

Laurienté 20 (S)

04-05-2024 19:45

MatchDay 35

Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore

Sassuolo

Inter

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Armand Lauriente (Assist: Josh Doig)

20'

2nd half

		89'		Benjamin Pavard
Daniel Boloca		90'

Match statistic

24

Possession %

76

6

Total shots

14

2

Shots on target

1

2

Shots off target

6

2

Blocked shots

7

2

Corners

5

Offsides

7

10

Fouls

10

Sassuolo

Inter

Starting lineups

47

Andrea Consigli

Goalkeeper

13

Gian Marco Ferrari

Defender

22

Jeremy Toljan

Defender

86'

43

Josh Doig

Defender

19

Marash Kumbulla

Defender

5

Martin Erlic

Defender

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

59'

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

71'

7

Matheus Henrique

Midfielder

86'

9

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

77

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

69'

28

Benjamin Pavard

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

69'

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

60'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

60'

21

Kristjan Asllani

Midfielder

74'

70

Alexis Sánchez

Attacker

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

21

Mattia Viti

Defender

11

Nedim Bajrami

Midfielder

28

Alessio Cragno

Goalkeeper

25

Gianluca Pegolo

Goalkeeper

15

Emil Konradsen Ceide

Attacker

8

Samuele Mulattieri

Attacker

3

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

24

Daniel Boloca

Midfielder

59'

14

Pedro Obiang

Midfielder

71'

2

Filippo Missori

Defender

86'

6

Uros Racic

Midfielder

86'

5

Stefano Sensi

Midfielder

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

7

Juan Cuadrado

Defender

60'

8

Marko Arnautovic

Attacker

60'

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

69'

17

Tajon Buchanan

Attacker

69'

14

Davy Klaassen

Midfielder

74'

{end, 21:41, That’s all for the Liveblog}

Inter cannot reach 100 points. As for Sassuolo, they’re still in the bottom 3, but have at least some hope now.

{live, 21:40, Match report}

#Sassuolo 1-0 #Inter

Inter seemed to have a hangover from their Scudetto celebrations, suffering their second defeat of the season – both to Sassuolo – thanks to an Armand Laurienté effort https://t.co/Vk1s8yrR87 #SassuoloInter #FCIM #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 4, 2024

{live, 21:39, FT: Sassuolo 1-0 Inter}

Incredible! Inter lost 2 games in Serie A this season, both to Sassuolo!

{live, 21:35, And another}

Boloca booked for Sassuolo after a rugby tackle on Buchanan. Into 4 minutes of stoppages.

{live, 21:34, Yellow card}

Pavard booked for jumping with arm raised on Doig. That’s the first card of the game. At the 89th minute.

{live, 21:32, Oh dear again}

Barella this time into Row Z. Let’s just call this an Inter hangover performance.

{live, 21:30, Sassuolo subs}

Racic and Missori on, Matheus Henrique and Toljan off.

{live, 21:30, Oh dear}

Lautaro Martinez balloons over from the edge of the box after an Arnautovic pull-back. Might’ve been offside anyway.

{live, 21:26, Inter chance}

Barella disguised pass to Cuadrado, who pulls back from the by-line for Arnautovic, important block at the near post for another corner.

{live, 21:23, Inter corners}

Series of Inter corners, then Alexis Sanchez cannot reach the massively over-hit Barella cross.

{live, 21:22, Sassuolo free kick}

Lauriente fires it straight into the wall, as if he was ever going to score from there.

{live, 21:19, Inter sub}

Klaassen on for Asllani. It’s just a Sassuolo brick wall.

{live, 21:15, Sassuolo sub}

Obiang replaces Lipani

{live, 21:14, Inter subs}

Barella and Buchanan on, Bastoni and Frattesi off.

{live, 21:12, Consigli punch}

Lautaro cross-shot for Arnautovic, punched away by Consigli.

{live, 21:10, Arnautovic attempt}

Gets into the box, angled drive charged down by Ferrari.

{live, 21:08, Sassuolo threatening}

Carlos Augusto twice has to get back and intercept dangerous counter-attacks.

{live, 21:04, Inter subs}

Cuadrado and Arnautovic on, Mkhitaryan and Dumfries off.

{live, 21:04, Sassuolo sub}

Thorstvedt off, Boloca on

{live, 21:02, Inter free kick}

Alexis Sanchez free kick goes past everyone.

{live, 21:00, Inter struggling to break through}

Sassuolo focused entirely on defending this lead now, Inter with all the ball, but no spaces.

{live, 20:56, Tricky clearance}

Doig has to be alert with the clearance on a cross from the left.

{live, 20:49, 2nd half kicks off: Sassuolo 1-0 Inter}

Turns out the Lautaro offside was actually pretty huge. It was more about drawing the line when the ball was hit.

{live, 20:34, Half-Time: Sassuolo 1-0 Inter}

Lauriente’ still the only goal then.

{live, 20:33, DISALLOWED}

Lautaro Martinez was offside.

{live, 20:33, It is extremely tight}

This offside check is taking a long time…

{live, 20:31, Sassuolo 1-1 Inter: Lautaro Martinez!}

Alexis Sanchez knocks it down for Carlos Augusto, shot is deflected off a Sassuolo player and turns into an accidental assist for Lautaro Martinez at the back post. Need to check for offside.

{live, 20:25, Inter again}

Dumfries header at the back post only hits the side-netting.

{live, 20:21, Frattesi needs treatment}

Looks like he got an accidental knock to the eye and is struggling to see properly.

{live, 20:19, Inter pushing}

Dumfries ball flashes across the six-yard box, nobody on the end of it.

{live, 20:16, Save on Pavard}

Inter getting closer, ball floated over the top by Bastoni, Pavard probably offside anyway, but great Consigli save on the header nonetheless.

{live, 20:13, Sanchez effort}

Alexis Sanchez sees his finish charged down in the box.

{live, 20:11, Inter chance!}

Dumfries sent through by an inspired Asllani slide-rule pass, but he fires it across the face of goal and inches wide!

{live, 20:09, Sassuolo goal}

Sassuolo take the lead over the Serie A champions!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/I1YDmzFJQ6

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 4, 2024

{live, 20:05, Sassuolo 1-0 Inter: Armand Lauriente’!}

Dumfries caught quite simply napping near the corner flag, no idea what he was trying to do there, but Josh Doig robs him, pulls it back and Lauriente’ fires into the roof of the net from 10 yards!

{live, 20:03, Inter chance}

Dumfries cross from the right, Lautaro Martinez comes sliding in and can only hit the side-netting!

{live, 20:01, Audero save}

Throw-in, then cross to the edge of the area for Lipani, shot into the ground and Audero has to palm it off the line!

{live, 20:00, Another Sassuolo corner}

Thorstvedt finish deflected onto the side-netting, could’ve gone anywhere.

{live, 19:58, Sassuolo again}

Corner flashes across the face of goal, nobody able to get on the end of it, Erlic came closest.

{live, 19:56, Sassuolo threaten}

Through ball sends Matheus Henrique through, but crucial sliding tackle from De Vrij.

{live, 19:54, Inter chance}

Bastoni whips a ball across the face of goal and Alexis Sanchez just fails to get there.

{live, 19:49, Update on that Lazio situation}

There was tension after Lazio conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against Monza, as the visiting fans had an argument with the players, particularly singling out Matteo Guendouzi and Adam Marusic https://t.co/lSJeehmFIk #Lazio #MonzaLazio #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 4, 2024

{live, 19:45, We have kick-off in Sassuolo vs. Inter!}

{live, 19:44, Here we go}

Sassuolo: Consigli; Erlic, Ferrari, Kumbulla; Toljan, Lipani, Matheus Henrique, Thorstvedt, Doig; Laurienté, Pinamonti

Inter: Audero; Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro Martinez, Sanchez

{live, 19:27, Simone Inzaghi speaks}

Simone Inzaghi assures Inter are ‘focused’ on Sassuolo and not just for Serie A records after celebrating their ‘deserved Scudetto’ success https://t.co/eVsXqcyJAG #FCIM #SassuoloInter #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 4, 2024

{live, 19:22, Warming up}

@SassuoloUS have beaten Inter more than they have any other team in #SerieA (9 times in total, on par with their record against Hellas Verona)…

Let's see what today gives us #SassuoloInter pic.twitter.com/mrPueg0OCw

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 4, 2024

{live, 19:08, Trouble centres around Guendouzi}

It looks like the Lazio fans are particularly angry with Guendouzi, perhaps because he’s new to Italian football and didn’t realise he had to stand there and silently take the insults…

{live, 19:07, Trouble in Monza}

After the final whistle, Lazio ultras are having a rather tense conversation with the players…

{live, 19:05, Sassuolo vs. Inter warm-ups}

Watch the warm-ups Live on the Lega Serie A YouTube Channel.

{live, 19:00, Djuric equaliser}

Late drama from Monza 🫨

Milan Đurić pops up with an injury time equaliser to deny Lazio the three points!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/FONF8fQ771

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 4, 2024

{live, 19:00, Match Report}

#ACMonza 2-2 #Lazio

Milan Djuric struck twice to claw Monza back into a 2-2 draw, stalling Lazio’s Champions League ambitions despite Ciro Immobile and Matias Vecino goals https://t.co/RPLLIgwGs3 #MonzaLazio #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 4, 2024

{live, 18:56, FT: Monza 2-2 Lazio}

Djuric scored twice to cancel out Immobile and Vecino goals.

{live, 18:54, Scuffle erupts!}

Castellanos and Izzo were already having words, possibly over who has the worst neck tattoo, then Vecino reacts furiously to his yellow card over a foul on Pessina, sparking a mass scuffle. Cataldi and Donati are both booked.

{live, 18:53, VAR confirms}

There had been a check for potential foul, but Djuric is just really, really good in the air.

{live, 18:51, Monza 2-2 Lazio: Milan Djuric!}

It ain’t over! That’s your classic Milan Djuric goal, towering header on the Pessina cross from the left, it looped into the far bottom corner!

{live, 18:50, Stoppages}

5 minutes to go. Guendouzi almost seals it for Lazio with a daisy-cutter, but good one-handed Di Gregorio save.

{live, 18:49, Team news}

#Sassuolo vs. #Inter line-ups:

Inter make changes including Davide Frattesi against his old club, as Sassuolo are desperate to avoid relegation with Andrea Pinamonti https://t.co/o0x6Jqk1Pk #SassuoloInter #SerieA #FCIM #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 4, 2024

{live, 18:48, Mandas save!}

Pablo Mari rocket from distance, Mandas fingertips it over the bar.

{live, 18:47, Sassuolo vs. Inter line-ups}

Sassuolo: Consigli; Erlic, Ferrari, Kumbulla; Toljan, Lipani, Matheus Henrique, Thorstvedt, Doig; Laurienté, Pinamonti

Inter: Audero; Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro Martinez, Sanchez

{live, 18:46, Monza sub}

Caprari return for first time since September, Bondo off.

{live, 18:43, Monza 1-2 Lazio: Matias Vecino!}

What a howler! Monza literally gifted that goal with a weak Donati back-pass to distracted Akpa Akpro that was easily intercepted by Vecino, sweeping it past the on-rushing goalkeeper into an empty net!

{live, 18:41, Lazio sub}

Pedro on for Felipe Anderson, who has cramp.

{live, 18:39, Djuric goal}

Monza put a dent in Lazio's european football fight pic.twitter.com/F7ENUgdgqh

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2024

{live, 18:38, Monza sub}

Caldirola replaces Zerbin.

{live, 18:34, Monza 1-1 Lazio: Milan Djuric!}

It was so tight that it was NOT offside!

{live, 18:33, Monza goal disallowed!}

Pessina header parried, Djuric turns in the rebound, the offside flag is up, but it’s tight…

{live, 18:30, Monza subs}

Donati, Akpa Akpro and Dany Mota on, Birindelli, Valentin Carboni and Kyriakopoulos off.

{live, 18:29, Colpani free kick}

Straight into the wall.

{live, 18:27, Patric booked}

It’s Zerbin, brought down on the edge of the box by Patric after he pounced on a defensive error. Good spot for a free kick.

{live, 18:24, Lazio subs}

Immobile, Luis Alberto and Kamada off, Cataldi, Vecino and Castellanos on.

{live, 18:21, Monza chance}

They can’t keep wasting these chances! Monza on the counter, Colpani dribbles past both Casale and the goalkeeper, but the angle is too narrow and Mandas manages to get back for the desperate save.

{live, 18:20, Zerbin crucial}

Lazio counter with Felipe Anderson, but Zerbin sprints back and blocks him off.

{live, 18:15, Another yellow}

Romagnoli booked for another shirt tug on Colpani, who has been a handful today.

{live, 18:13, Lazio corner}

Luis Alberto corner, but Romagnoli nods it wide.

{live, 18:09, The Immobile goal}

Lazio's all-time top goal scorer Ciro Immobile ends a run of 1⃣2⃣ games without a goal

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/TaEJmFjw2x

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 4, 2024

{live, 18:05, 2nd half kicks off: Monza 0-1 Lazio}

No changes.

{live, 17:50, That Zaccagni incident}

Mattia Zaccagni was hauled off the pitch after just 32 minutes in Lazio’s Serie A visit to Monza, as coach Igor Tudor was furious with his risky decision-making https://t.co/bxjUwGJkSO #Lazio #SerieA #MonzaLazio #SerieATIM #Calcio

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 4, 2024

{live, 17:48, Half-Time: Monza 0-1 Lazio}

Immobile with the goal, but Monza wasted two free headers with Valentin Carboni and Bondo.

{live, 17:45, Another Lazio card}

Kamada booked for another sliding lunge, that was studs up on Izzo’s ankle. Luis Alberto mainly furious at Lazio losing the ball cheaply.

{live, 17:39, Huge Monza chance!}

How many of these can they waste?! Bondo allowed a free header this time, it’s at the far post, and it goes wide!

{live, 17:38, Monza again}

Bondo effort not hit cleanly, Mandas can smother.

{live, 17:36, Monza chance}

Pessina absolute screamer from distance, Mandas has to fly and palm it away!

{live, 17:35, Tudor won’t be happy}

Casale, who just came on because Zaccagni was booked, is himself booked for a shirt-tug on Colpani.

{live, 17:34, Carboni error}

Djuric header charged down, Carboni dribbles past players to reach the by-line and then keeps going beyond it.

{live, 17:33, Zaccagni not happy}

Zaccagni storms off down the tunnel, won’t even look at Tudor, who was trying to shake his hand.

{live, 17:32, Lazio sub}

Tudor had the same thought we did, Zaccagni was not being at all wise on that yellow card. Casale on, Zaccagni off.

{live, 17:28, Immobile flick}

Pull-back from the by-line, the only way Immobile can get that is with a back-heel flick and it was on target, parried by Di Gregorio.

{live, 17:26, Immobile goal}

Back in the starting 11
Back on the scoresheet

Ciro Immobile gets an early goal for Lazio! pic.twitter.com/ZtsmNCS0kh

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2024

{live, 17:25, Lazio over}

Lazio corner, Zaccagni cross charged down, turns into an assist for Patric to fire over.

{live, 17:23, What a chance Monza!}

How did that go wide?! Colpani got down the right, stood up a delicate cross, Valentin Carboni free header and it’s wide of the near post!

{live, 17:22, Careful, Zaccagni}

He just got booked, flung himself into another late tackle. That’s not wise.

{live, 17:20, Immobile drought}

Ciro Immobile had not scored since February…

{live, 17:16, Zaccagni booked}

Zaccagni a bit late into the sliding tackle, yellow card.

{live, 17:12, Monza 0-1 Lazio: Ciro Immobile!}

It was a bit chaotic, but it went in eventually! Luis Alberto dummy let a pass through, poor clearance only reaches Kamada on the edge of the box, his deflected strike is somehow palmed onto the underside of the crossbar by Di Gregorio, but Immobile is ready to pounce on the rebound!

{live, 17:09, Colpani effort}

Colpani snapshot into the arms of Mandas from the edge of the area.

{live, 17:07, Lazio respond}

Luis Alberto effort charged down, then cross was not where Immobile wanted it.

{live, 17:06, Ooh!}

That was incredibly close! Djuric give and go with Colpani, gets down the left, angled drive across the face of goal and shaves a coat of paint off the far post!

{live, 17:02, Bright Lazio start}

Luis Alberto inspired pass through the middle for Zaccagni, but the ball picks up pace as it bounces.

{live, 17:01, We have kick-off in Monza vs. Lazio!}

Milan director Geoffrey Moncada is in the stands.

{live, 16:56, Out come the teams}

Ready for some Serie A action?

{live, 16:55, Injury update}

Daniel Maldini not even on the Monza bench due to a muscular issue.

{live, 16:55, Line-ups reminder}

Monza: Di Gregorio; Birindelli, D’Ambrosio, Pablo Mari, Kyriakopoulos; Bondo, Pessina; Colpani, V Carboni, Zerbin; Djuric

Lazio: Mandas; Patric, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Marusic, Guendouzi, Kamada, Zaccagni; Felipe Anderson, Luis Alberto; Immobile

{live, 16:41, Immobile returns}

Back in the starting 11: @ciroimmobile #MonzaLazio pic.twitter.com/tLqnQ5haYN

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 4, 2024

{live, 16:10, Lazio arrive}

Checking-in#MonzaLazio | #CMonEagles pic.twitter.com/zfkpsF7s7j

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) May 4, 2024

{live, 16:05, Team News}

#ACMonza vs. #Lazio line-ups:

Ciro Immobile returns to the starting XI for Lazio with Luis Alberto and Mattia Zaccagni for the tricky trip to Monza https://t.co/AtpFlWM6sH #MonzaLazio #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) May 4, 2024

{live, 16:03, Monza vs. Lazio line-ups}

Monza: Di Gregorio; Birindelli, D’Ambrosio, Pablo Mari, Kyriakopoulos; Bondo, Pessina; Colpani, V Carboni, Zerbin; Djuric

Lazio: Mandas; Patric, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Marusic, Guendouzi, Kamada, Zaccagni; Felipe Anderson, Luis Alberto; Immobile

Serie A Week 35

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games, as Lazio visit Monza for European dreams, while desperate Sassuolo host champions Inter.

We begin at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the U-Power Stadium where Lazio try to stay in the hunt not just for Europe, but potentially even fifth place with their trip to mid-table Monza.

At 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), Inter seek revenge for their only Serie A defeat of the season, but Sassuolo are desperate in penultimate place.

Week 35 kicked off last night with Torino 0-0 Bologna.

Simone Inzaghi assures Inter are ‘focused’ on Sassuolo and not just for Serie A records after celebrating their ‘deserved Scudetto’ success.

It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Monza-Lazio on the LIVEBLOG.

The Nerazzurri are continuing their Scudetto celebrations by giving everyone playing time, including Emil Audero, Kristjan Asllani, Alexis Sanchez and former Sassuolo star Davide Frattesi.

However, their only Serie A defeat of the season was 2-1 to Sassuolo at San Siro on September 27, so there is the desire for revenge.

“It is a wonderful moment, we celebrated for days with our fans, it is what we wanted since the start of the season. We won a deserved Scudetto, now we want to finish on a high,” Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.

There is still motivation to get results, even though Inter cannot match the all-time record of 103 Serie A points set by Antonio Conte’s Juventus.

They can reach a maximum of 101, which would be a new club record, as well as club records for clean sheets and of course making Lautaro Martinez the Capoannoniere.

Inzaghi still motivated

“Aside from records in clean sheets and victories, we need to take it one game at a time and honour the tournament. Despite the celebrations, we trained with focus over the last few days and are ready for this match.”

Inzaghi was asked about the squad rotation for this evening, although notably even here there is still a start for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

“I made some choices, these are players who gave us guarantees all the way through the season when called upon.”

Inter make changes including Davide Frattesi against his old club, as Sassuolo are desperate to avoid relegation with Andrea Pinamonti.

It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Monza-Lazio on the LIVEBLOG.

The Scudetto celebrations are still going, so Simone Inzaghi makes changes to give everyone some playing time, including Alexis Sanchez, Emil Audero, Kristjan Asllani, Carlos Augusto and former Sassuolo midfielder Frattesi.

Sassuolo have to change too, but these are forced upon them, as Ruan Tressoldi is suspended with Samu Castillejo, Gregoire Defrel and Domenico Berardi injured.

Mattia Viti and Kristian Thorstvedt are not fully fit either, but Sassuolo are truly desperate in penultimate place, coming off a 5-1 defeat to Fiorentina.

Yet Sassuolo are the only side in Serie A to have beaten Inter this season, 2-1 at San Siro back on September 27.

Armand Laurienté returns from his ban with ex-Inter youth product Andrea Pinamonti upfront.

Sassuolo vs. Inter line-ups

Sassuolo: Consigli; Erlic, Ferrari, Kumbulla; Toljan, Lipani, Matheus Henrique, Thorstvedt, Doig; Laurienté, Pinamonti

Inter: Audero; Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro Martinez, Sanchez

04-05-2024 19:45

MatchDay 35

Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore

Sassuolo

Inter

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Armand Lauriente (Assist: Josh Doig)

20'

2nd half

		89'		Benjamin Pavard
Daniel Boloca		90'

Match statistic

24

Possession %

76

6

Total shots

14

2

Shots on target

1

2

Shots off target

6

2

Blocked shots

7

2

Corners

5

Offsides

7

10

Fouls

10

Sassuolo

Inter

Starting lineups

47

Andrea Consigli

Goalkeeper

13

Gian Marco Ferrari

Defender

22

Jeremy Toljan

Defender

86'

43

Josh Doig

Defender

19

Marash Kumbulla

Defender

5

Martin Erlic

Defender

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

59'

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

71'

7

Matheus Henrique

Midfielder

86'

9

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

77

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

69'

28

Benjamin Pavard

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

69'

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

60'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

60'

21

Kristjan Asllani

Midfielder

74'

70

Alexis Sánchez

Attacker

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

21

Mattia Viti

Defender

11

Nedim Bajrami

Midfielder

28

Alessio Cragno

Goalkeeper

25

Gianluca Pegolo

Goalkeeper

15

Emil Konradsen Ceide

Attacker

8

Samuele Mulattieri

Attacker

3

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

24

Daniel Boloca

Midfielder

59'

14

Pedro Obiang

Midfielder

71'

2

Filippo Missori

Defender

86'

6

Uros Racic

Midfielder

86'

5

Stefano Sensi

Midfielder

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

7

Juan Cuadrado

Defender

60'

8

Marko Arnautovic

Attacker

60'

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

69'

17

Tajon Buchanan

Attacker

69'

14

Davy Klaassen

Midfielder

74'

Serie A champions Inter continue their glory tour with a trip to a struggling Sassuolo on the cusp of slipping down to Serie B.

The match between the Neroverdi and the Nerazzurri kicks off at 19.45 UK time at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia.

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter have already secured their Scudetto and are now able to cruise to the summer, looking ahead to a busy 2024-25 season. Their only real goal now is to break the 100-point mark, sitting 11 away with four matches left to play.

The Nerazzurri’s only absence is Francesco Acerbi, who is out with a groin issue. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is just a booking away from a one-match suspension.

Sassuolo are fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation to Serie B but time is starting to run out, with the team sitting 19^th with 26 points, five behind 17^th place Empoli.

The Reggio-Emilia outfit cannot count on Domenico Berardi, Gregoire Defrel and Samu Castillejo, all sidelined with injuries. Ruan Tressoldi is out through suspension, whilst Marcus Pedersen and Mattia Viti are in doubt with minor issues.

When these two teams met back in September, Sassuolo surprised Inter with a 2-1 win at San Siro, the Nerazzurri’s only league defeat this season.

Probable line-ups for Sassuolo vs Inter

Sassuolo (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Toljan, Erlic, Ferrari, Doig; Racic, Boloca; Bajrami, Thorstvedt, Lauriente; Pinamonti.

Inter (3-5-2): Audero; Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro, Sanchez.

There are now seven teams battling to avoid being the other two relegated to Serie B along with Salernitana, so we look at their remaining four fixtures.

The Week 34 results shook up the race to stay in Serie A, as Genoa mathematically guaranteed another campaign in the top flight on 42 points.

Lecce are almost there too on 36 following a 1-1 draw with Monza, but Cagliari’s 3-0 loss to Genoa saw their cushion from the relegation zone reduced from four points to just three.

It’s a huge tussle for position with Verona, Frosinone and Empoli all crammed together on 31 points apiece, one behind Cagliari.

The relegation zone begins with Udinese on 29 points, then Sassuolo are in real trouble on 26 and have a very difficult run-in.

Salernitana are rock bottom on 15 and already doomed to the drop.

There are four rounds left to play and Sassuolo have arguably the toughest run-in, but there are still several head-to-head clashes that could prove decisive.

Serie A relegation run-ins

Lecce

Cagliari (A)

Udinese (H)

Atalanta (H)

Napoli (A)

Cagliari

Lecce (H)

Milan (A)

Sassuolo (A)

Fiorentina (H)

Verona

Fiorentina (H)

Torino (H)

Salernitana (A)

Inter (H)

Frosinone

Empoli (A)

Inter (H)

Monza (A)

Udinese (H)

Empoli

Frosinone (H)

Lazio (A)

Udinese (A)

Roma (H)

Udinese

Napoli (H)

Lecce (A)

Empoli (H)

Frosinone (A)

Sassuolo

Inter (H)

Genoa (A)

Cagliari (H)

Lazio (A)

The Lega Serie A has confirmed the kick-off dates and times for the Week 36 games, rejecting Roma’s appeal to move the Atalanta clash to Monday.

The Giallorossi had already protested last week that they were being given no help to represent Italy in the Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen on May 2 and 9.

They asked to have the showdown for fifth place with Atalanta switched to Monday May 13, but that would’ve meant shifting the Coppa Italia Final between Juventus and Atalanta from its May 15 slot.

The appeal was rejected and the Serie A clash will be played on Sunday May 12, at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

Atalanta are also in the Europa League semi-finals against Olympique Marseille on May 2 and 9, so moving the Coppa Italia Final may well have suited them too.

The following kick-off times are UK (GMT+1).

Serie A Week 36

Friday May 10

Frosinone-Inter (19.45)

Saturday May 11

Napoli–Bologna (17.00)

Milan–Cagliari (19.45)

Sunday May 12

Lazio–Empoli (11.30)

Genoa–Sassuolo (14.00)

Verona–Torino (14.00)

Juventus-Salernitana (17.00)

Atalanta-Roma (19.45)

Monday May 13

Lecce-Udinese (17.30)

Fiorentina-Monza (19.45)