Season Round Up

With the season now over here's a quick round up of what happened on the last day in the Serie 2011/2012 season.

Napoli were only able to finish 5 despite beating Siena 2-1. Siena finished a respectable 14th. For Napoli then the disappointment of not having Champions League football next season will be bitter, expect some of their big names to go on to other big European clubs in the summer. Edison Cavani is already holding talks with Chelsea reports suggest.

Lazio beat Inter 3-1 to finish in 4th a good result for the Rome club, however manager Edy Reja announced his resignation this week meaning both Rome clubs now need new managers. Inter have had a dreadful season and will be glad to have finished 6th after a dismal start to the season, they will look to rebuild under Andrea Stramaccioni and may well look to off load some of their big earners such as Wesley Snjeider who has looked increasingly disinterested in playing for the club in recent months.

Chievo finished 10th after beating Leece 1-0. That result confirmed Leece's return to Serie B and the final club to be relegated.

Genoa secured safety on the final day with a 2-0 victory of Palermo. Palermo finished 16th and both clubs will be disappointed with their efforts this season and will look to gain top half finishes next time around. Genoa in particular will be desperate not to repeat the relegation battle they got themselves into.

Udinese secured Champions League football with a 2-0 win over 11th placed Catania. It has been a great season for Udinese who have recovered well from losing key player Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona. Expect them to have a good Champions League campaign particularly in home games where they have been imperious all season.

Parma made sure they finished above Bologna in 8th by beating them 1-0. Both teams will be satisfied with their seasons and both will look to gain some form of European football next time round.

Relegated Cesena were beaten 3-2 by managerless Roma who finished 7th. The concern for Cesena is they lose key players such as Adrian Mutu making the goal for an instant return to the Serie A even more difficult. For Roma, their Spanish experiment lasted all of a year before the fans again forced a man with a plan out the door. Roma is a big club but the fans expect to much, the man who comes in will have to make an instant impact or face the same fate as Luis Enrique. Expect the return of Capello to secure the ship.

Fiorentina finished 13th after drawing 0-0 with 15th placed Cagliari. It has been a season to forget for the Viola and the scenes particularly at the end of the season will play heavily on the minds of the fans. Expect them to buy and install an experienced manager at the helm. For Cagliari they will be happy with their lot, grateful they were not dragged into a relegation battle.

AC Milan overcame Novara 2-1 in what should have been a routine victory but wasn't. Milan finish second, narrowly missing out on the title while Novara were already relegated. A revoling door has been installed at the San Siro as they look to get rid of the old and bring in the new. Gattuso and Nesta have gone and Ibrahmovic is apparently a target for Manchester City. Milan know they will have to spend big and reinforce their squad if they are to challenge for the league and the Champions League next season.

The champions Juventus finished the season unbeaten in what has been a remarkable season for The Old Lady. They beat Atalanta 3-1 on the final day, they finish 12. Juve will lose one of the greatest ever players this weekend however as Alessandro Del Piero bows out in the Coppa Italia final against Napoil. It was announced earlier that the 36 year old will not be having his contract renewed, he is apparently open to a move to England.

That concludes the round up of the season and indeed this blog for this season. I am looking to post a Transfer Special edition mid way through the summer and we will be back next season of course.

Thank you all who have followed and read this blog, enjoy the summer and see you next season.

Forza Italia!