Parma 4-1 Livorno

Francesco Guidolin waved goodye to Parma with a crushing 4-1 victory over sorry Livorno.

The Coach made his final appearance on the Tardini bench, while Livorno waved goodbye to Serie A. Cristiano Lucarelli’s loan spell is over, but he was unable to play against his former club due to an injury. Livorno’s treatment room was packed with Leonardo Miglionico, Nelson Rivas, Francesco Tavano, Dario Knezevic, Antonio Filippini, Moro, Andrea Esposito and Nico Pulzetti. Parma were without Damiano Zenoni and Massimo Paci, but welcomed back Blerim Dzemaili and Luis Jimenez from suspension.

Debutant goalkeeper Bardi palmed away a Jonathan Biabiany curler, which Valiani was unable to make the most of. Zaccardo knocked the ball down for Davide Lanzafame, but again Parma were not quick enough to react.

Livorno lost Fabio Galante to a calf problem early on, giving Ossou his debut. Alessandro Lucarelli’s volley was off target and Antonio Mirante had his palms stung by Prutsch.

Mirante was a little less impressive when batting Raimondi’s header off the line, while Biabiany then burst forward and wasted a counter-attack.

Parma finally found a way through in first half stoppages. Davide Lanzafame’s shot with the outside of his right foot took a decisive deflection off Ossou to beat Bardi into the far bottom corner.

Lanzafame completed his brace 38 seconds after the restart. He rushed forward through the middle and unleashed a sudden blockbuster that whizzed past Bardi’s outstretched hand at the far post.

Ex-Livorno midfielder Stefano Morrone made it 3-0 moments later, as he exchanged passes outside the box to drive low at the base of the near upright.

It was almost four, as Hernan Crespo just failed to get the final touch to a free kick and Zaccardo nodded it wide.

The Amaranto got a consolation goal when a corner kick was not cleared effectively for Tomas Danilevicius to bundle over the line from six yards.

Crespo got his goal in stoppages and was visibly moved at the farewell to the Tardini. Valeri Bojinov rolled across and he had all the time to pick his spot low at the near post.

Cagliari 1-1 Bologna

Cagliari end the campaign still without a victory since February, but at least Daniele Ragatzu – and their goalkeeper – prevented another defeat.

Mid-table security was already assured going into the final round, but caretaker manager Giorgio Melis at least hoped to end his Cagliari career with a victory. The Sardinians were without a win since February and Nene’ sat out a ban, while Federico Marchetti, Francesco Pisano and Michael Agazzi were injured, so Vigorito got his debut in goal. Bologna ensured their safety last weekend and were struck down by a flu virus sweeping the team. It took out Zenoni, Gimenez and Marcelo Zalayeta. Also absent were Casarini, Mudingayi, Mingazzini and Moras.

Bologna took the lead with their first opportunity after three minutes. Martins Adailton gathered an Antonio Busce’ pullback from eight yards and his rising strike cannoned off the underside of the bar, bouncing over the line before it went out.

Debutant goalkeeper Vigorito was certainly kept busy, as he needed a series of first half saves to keep the scoreline down from Adailton’s half-volleys.

Cagliari wasted a great chance to equalise after the restart, as Davide Biondini’s pass was wayward with Alessandro Matri totally unmarked waiting to tap in.

The Sardinians drew level when youth team product Daniele Ragatzu pounced on a poor clearance outside the box to pick his spot and smash in.

Atalanta 1-2 Palermo

Palermo scraped a stoppage-time victory, but it didn’t matter, as Sampdoria go into the Champions League.

The Orobici already knew they were relegated, but for the Sicilians it was all to play for. They needed a victory and for Napoli to trip up Sampdoria in order to qualify for the Champions League.

Giulio Migliaccio was suspended with Fabrizio Miccoli, Mark Bresciano and Fabio Simplicio sidelined. The home team had the trio of Maximiliano Pellegrino, Nicola Amoruso and Jaime Valdes on a ban, plus Edgar Barreto, Javier Chevanton, Tiberio Guarente, Leonardo Talamonti and Paolo Zanetti injured.

Atalanta had a strong start, threatening in the opening minutes with both Cristiano Doni firing over and Simone Tiribocchi hitting it straight at Salvatore Sirigu.

However, it was Palermo who broke through against the run of play. The South Americans combined, as Javier Pastore sprung the offside trap from an Abel Hernandez ball over the top to prod with the outside of his right foot for Edinson Cavani to tap in.

Fabio Ceravolo’s header was straight at the goalkeeper and Sirigu flew to palm away a Radovanovic right-foot screamer. Just before the break, Pastore set up Abel Hernandez only for the Uruguayan to drill wide from the edge of the area.

Cristiano Doni’s free kick skimmed the upright, but play was repeatedly halted in the first half due to fireworks thrown by the Atalanta fans.

The Orobici ruined Palermo’s Champions League hopes straight after the restart with a wonderful Ceravolo solo effort. He burst down the left flank and smashed the curling right-foot finish in at the near post.

News also came through that Sampdoria were winning at Marassi, so Palermo had that double blow. Nonetheless, the Sicilians kept pushing and Cavani’s angled drive was only denied by Bianco’s goalline clearance.

Sirigu was at full stretch to palm a Doni snapshot off the line, while Andrea Consigli had to keep out both Bertolo and Pastore.

Atalanta were right in the thick of this game and arguably had the better chances, as Simone Padoin’s effort from point-blank range brought a desperate reaction save from Sirigu.

Cavani controlled from a set play only to half-volley on to the side-netting from six yards.

Consigli prevented Igor Budan from turning the game around with a great save as the Croatian flicked with the outside of his right boot from close range.

Budan horribly wasted on the counter when one-on-one, firing straight at the grateful goalkeeper with a weak finish.

The referee awarded a harsh penalty in stoppages, as Bianco blocked an overhead kick with his hand, but he could not have got out of the way. Nonetheless, Cavani stepped up to convert the penalty and give Palermo a futile victory.

Ibra to Premiership?

Barcelona superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be set for a £46 million switch to Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City after David Villa’s arrival at the Nou Camp.

The Catalan giants have agreed a £34.2 million deal with Valencia to bring the lethal centre forward to the club. Sport has reported this has pushed Ibrahimovic towards the Premier League as Barcelona look to balance the books.

United have been linked all summer with a move for a top-line centre forward to support Wayne Rooney. City’s billions and the presence of Ibrahimovic’s ex-Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini makes them a possible destination, while Chelsea are in the market for a “marquee signing”.

Ibrahimovic has struggled to win over the fans at the Nou Camp since his £60 million move last summer. Despite grabbing 21 goals in all competitions, he could be forced out after just one campaign. (Source)