The Serie A title race is still undecided heading into the final week.
It took two late goals from captain Francesco Totti in order for Roma to keep the pressure on Inter Milan. After Inter beat Chievo 4-3, Roma had to beat Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico to prolong the battle for the Scudetto. And when Andrea Lazzari powered home a free-kick after 73 minutes it was looking bleak for the home side.
But Totti’s neat turn and shot dragged them level before he then slotted home an 83rd-minute penalty to hand Roma the victory.
There was no lack of drama at the San Siro either as Inter had to withstand a late Chievo fightback to hold on to a win which keeps them two points clear with one game remaining.
Thiago Motta’s own goal gave the Genoa-based side the lead before Andrea Mantovani also put through his own net to drag Inter level. Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Milito and Mario Balotelli put Jose Mourinho’s men in total control only for late goals from Pablo Granoche and Sergio Pellissier to cause a few nerves for Inter fans.
AC Milan, in third, went down to Giuseppe Sculli’s 56th-minute goal at Genoa and also had Mathieu Flamini sent off late on while the race for the final Champions League spot will also go to the last weekend after fifth-placed Palermo and fourth-placed Sampdoria drew 1-1 in Sicily.
Sampdoria would have clinched a place in Europe’s elite club competition with a win, a scenario which looked on the cards when Giampaolo Pazzini’s 54th-minute penalty put them ahead. But Fabrizio Miccoli levelled from the spot with 20 minutes to go to keep Palermo two points adrift with one game to go.
photo credit: prettyfriendship
