Juve in Champions League, Lazio out of Europe. Empoli and Venezia also relegated

Instead, Marco Giampaolo's combative Lecce saved themselves, who, in ten for the expulsion of Pierotti, beat Lazio at the Olimpico with a goal from Coulibaly in the 43rd minute. A poor figure, that of Lotito's team, which after nine years finds itself out of Europe for the first time. Lazio are in fact seventh, at 65 points like Fiorentina, but the Viola go into the Conference League (victorious away against Udinese 3-2), who can count on the advantage in the direct clashes with the Biancocelesti, who have been disappointing in this final part of the tournament.

Roma, on the other hand, did well, closing the season with another victory (0-2 in Turin) that is worth the Europa League. An extraordinary comeback, that of Ranieri, who, let us remember, took over the leadership of a group that was plunging into B. A comeback that allowed Roma to finish fifth (69 points) ahead of Fiorentina and Lazio.

A resigned end instead for Atalanta who, losing at home to Parma (2-3), celebrated in a minor tone that third place that once again projects them into the Champions League. Having started well with a double from Maldini, in the second half the Bergamasks suffered the Emilian's comeback with Hainaut and two goals from the Swede Hondrejka. A beautiful success, that of Chivu's team, which guarantees their permanence in the A league.

One thing is certain. It won't be easy to sleep for a while in Naples. It's still New Year's Eve. And it will be that way all year round, some (envious) malalingua from the North will remark. But it does not seem to be a problem for anyone, since the endless party, which began on Friday after the final whistle of the match against Cagliari, is attended by everyone with an enthusiasm that does not foresee any pauses or slowdowns. A great popular celebration that today proposes a new episode with the arrival, by sea, of the Italian champions who will then, on board two uncovered coaches, be able to display the coveted Scudetto Cup in front of tens of thousands of fans. Even the schools will be closed to allow the children to celebrate the fourth title, the most suffered and fought for in its history.

Although writers, singers, actors and politicians don't miss a chance to hail this event as yet another revival of the city, what is striking is the healthy cheerfulness of the common people, locked in a naive and saving embrace.

Even the inescapable question - does Conte leave or stay? - does not disturb the joy of the Neapolitans, experienced enough to know that the after is never as good as the present. Not even the meeting in Ischia, for President De Laurentiis's 76th birthday, dissolved the enigma. 'We love him, but if a coach wants to go you can't keep him,' repeated the president. Which means: If Conte asks me for expenses and investments that we cannot afford, patience, he can go to Juventus, one pope dies and another will be made. That could be Allegri, already 'booked' by De Laurentiis. But Allegri, a year ago a symbol of sad defensive football, is now wanted like the barber of Seville. So Napoli, if Conte leaves, had better not let him get away.

Speaking of popes, it should be remembered that the whole team will be received on Tuesday by Pope Leo XIV, a great sportsman and, according to unconfirmed sources, also a Roma fan.A detail that should not be a problem. Faith cannot be questioned, especially when going to the Pope.

And Inter? While waiting for Inzaghi to regain his word, the Nerazzurri are trying to work out this new second place, perhaps even more bitter than that of 2022 with Milan. Already that time, with the cousins, it was not exactly a pleasure. But with this Napoli side, starting from a tenth place, the snub is even more searing.

Of mistakes, and missed opportunities, there have been many, useless to hide it. Points thrown away, which then, in the end, weighed so much, as we can see from the angry accusations towards the referees and the Var. At the moment, the watchword is to concentrate on Monaco, on the Champions League final, the goal of a season that, should it succeed, would in any case be extraordinary. Otherwise, all those who are now silent, and who hypocritically praise Inzaghi, would immediately raise their voices again. Never as in this case, and Simone knows it, does a dry match become the definitive junction of a season. Football is fierce: just as it beatifies you, it just as quickly throws you to the dust. It will not be easy, for Inter and for Inzaghi, to come out on top. Not least because their opponent, Paris Saint Germain, will not let them sleep soundly. Lautaro Martinez's teary eyes in Como are the picture of a team trying to erase all its ghosts by winning the Champions League, the most prestigious trophy. It is not impossible, it can be done.

Let us conclude, with Milan. Never had it happened, not even when they ended up in B, to witness such a fierce contestation of the fans towards the club, understood as the management team. An embarrassing contestation because it involved not only the ultras of the curve but also the more moderate supporters, families, the 'healthy' core of the fans. Useless to repeat where the various Cardinale, , Furlani, Scaroni, Ibrahimovic were invited to go ('Go home'). It is also useless to repeat the gross errors of a group, and of an American ownership, that in a few months has burnt two coaches, never taking, in fact, any responsibility. 'Among the fans there is regret, but we also have the same feelings,' observes CEO Furlani with his usual notary coolness, adding that 'next week will be the week of announcements'. That's it, the announcements. These Rossoneri managers resemble those politicians who, instead of working concretely, live by announcements, hoping in this way to save face.

It took more than four months to choose the new sporting director, Tare. It is a step forward, but Tare is not enough to guarantee the relaunch of a club that must be refounded also in the way of planning the future. We need a coach, but not just any coach, but one capable of proposing a shared and coherent project. Unfortunately, the ones who do and undo are the same ones who never question themselves. Speaking of Conte, it is worth remembering that, a year ago, he would have come to Milan singing. "We need a coach, not a manager," replied Ibrahimovic, presumptuous former legend who as a manager never touched the ball.