Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, SpeziaAtalanta, VeneziaBologna, SalernitanaCagliari and potential Scudetto decider VeronaMilan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Serie A Highlights: Spezia 1-3 Atalanta

Watch as Atalanta turn on the style to beat Spezia with Luis Muriel scoring and assisting for Mario Pasalic, but Daniele Verde pounced on some spectacularly suicidal defending.

Muriel combined with Ruslan Malinovskyi and sold Jakub Kiwior a dummy to break through, but all the Atalanta outfield players were in the opposition half when Verde went on the counter-attack to equalise.

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

Merih Demiral knocked down a free kick for fellow defender Berat Djimsiti’s header, with Jeremie Boga thumping the bar and Emmanuel Gyasi missing a sitter.

Mario Pasalic sealed it late on from a Muriel assist.

Serie A Highlights: Spezia 1-3 Atalanta

Watch as Atalanta turn on the style to beat Spezia with Luis Muriel scoring and assisting for Mario Pasalic, but Daniele Verde pounced on some spectacularly suicidal defending.

Muriel combined with Ruslan Malinovskyi and sold Jakub Kiwior a dummy to break through, but all the Atalanta outfield players were in the opposition half when Verde went on the counter-attack to equalise.

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

Merih Demiral knocked down a free kick for fellow defender Berat Djimsiti’s header, with Jeremie Boga thumping the bar and Emmanuel Gyasi missing a sitter.

Mario Pasalic sealed it late on from a Muriel assist.

Gasperini: ‘I have a contract, but things have changed for Atalanta’

Gian Piero Gasperini refused to confirm he will be on the Atalanta bench next season. ‘I have a contract, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club.’

The tactician has transformed La Dea from a side yo-yoing between Serie A and B to regulars in the Champions League, this season reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.

Following a 3-1 Serie A victory away to Spezia, the coach spoke to Sky Sport Italia about his future and was far from reassuring.

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

“I am very fond of this club and these fans, I signed a contract in November, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club, what they decide.

“We have never talked about it, I am open to any option. If we go forward like this, I will continue with enthusiasm.”

The changes are that half the club’s shares were sold to American investor Stephen Pagliuca, with new directors coming in and promises of big signings to reinforce the squad.

“Regardless of what happens with me or the players, I hope that Atalanta can keep growing and doing better. It’s not easy for a city like Bergamo to be recognised all over the world. We achieved extraordinary results, but if you ask me if Atalanta can win the Scudetto, Champions League or Europa League, I’ll tell you that happens for one in 10,000 teams.”

Despite this win, it remains entirely possible La Dea won’t even qualify for European football.

“We revolutionised the squad compared to six years ago and had so much success. Hearing critics talk about this as a failed season is a very strange way of looking at things.”

Atalanta were able to get the 3-1 win away to Spezia, but had conceded the equaliser with all their outfield players in the opposition half.

“These are the kinds of goals a coach should be ashamed of conceding,” added Gasperini.

Gasperini: ‘I have a contract, but things have changed for Atalanta’

Gian Piero Gasperini refused to confirm he will be on the Atalanta bench next season. ‘I have a contract, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club.’

The tactician has transformed La Dea from a side yo-yoing between Serie A and B to regulars in the Champions League, this season reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.

Following a 3-1 Serie A victory away to Spezia, the coach spoke to Sky Sport Italia about his future and was far from reassuring.

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

“I am very fond of this club and these fans, I signed a contract in November, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club, what they decide.

“We have never talked about it, I am open to any option. If we go forward like this, I will continue with enthusiasm.”

The changes are that half the club’s shares were sold to American investor Stephen Pagliuca, with new directors coming in and promises of big signings to reinforce the squad.

“Regardless of what happens with me or the players, I hope that Atalanta can keep growing and doing better. It’s not easy for a city like Bergamo to be recognised all over the world. We achieved extraordinary results, but if you ask me if Atalanta can win the Scudetto, Champions League or Europa League, I’ll tell you that happens for one in 10,000 teams.”

Despite this win, it remains entirely possible La Dea won’t even qualify for European football.

“We revolutionised the squad compared to six years ago and had so much success. Hearing critics talk about this as a failed season is a very strange way of looking at things.”

Atalanta were able to get the 3-1 win away to Spezia, but had conceded the equaliser with all their outfield players in the opposition half.

“These are the kinds of goals a coach should be ashamed of conceding,” added Gasperini.

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

Luis Muriel contributed a goal and an assist around the Berat Djimsiti header, as Atalanta conquered La Spezia despite conceding after some suicidal defending.

Watch the highlights here.

Serie A Highlights: Spezia 1-3 Atalanta

Both teams were furious at recent refereeing decisions, so tension was high at the Stadio Picco. Ivan Provedel was available after his one-match ban for blasphemous phrases was revoked on appeal, while Martin Erlic returned from suspension, with Leo Sena and Ebrima Colley still injured. La Dea missed Giuseppe Pezzella, Rafael Toloi and Josip Ilicic.

Simone Bastoni ran onto a slide-rule pass and narrowed the angle too much, only able to hit the outside of the near post.

Atalanta took the lead moments later, Luis Muriel exchanging passes with Ruslan Malinovskyi to enter the penalty area, selling a dummy on Jakub Kiwior before drilling into the far bottom corner.

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Spezia-Atalanta, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

Spezia equalised with the most route one approach, because every Atalanta outfield player was inside the opposition half when Daniele Verde was sent clear on a Giulio Maggiore ball over the top, beating Juan Musso one-on-one.

Verde almost had another a couple of minutes later, although he was offside, but still worth noting both the spectacular chest and volley with his back to goal and Musso’s save at the near top corner.

Remo Freuler should’ve done better when prodding a Teun Koopmeiners cross wide from six yards and Malinovskyi’s free kick stung the goalkeeper’s gloves.

Muriel skimmed the far top corner with a powerful strike off the outside of the boot that swerved at the last second.

Jeremie Boga’s free header was off target, but two defenders combined for the second Atalanta goal. A free kick was taken quickly, Merih Demiral knocked it down for the Berat Djimsiti header at the back post, his first Serie A goal of the season and the 20th different Atalanta player to score in the league this term.

Boga smashed a powerful strike onto the crossbar after a smart passing move, Provedel parrying the follow-up too, while Emmanuel Gyasi missed a sitter after turning Hans Hateboer.

Mario Pasalic sealed it when Muriel threaded through a slide-rule pass and he just swept it first-time into the far bottom corner with the inside of the right boot from 12 yards.

Spezia 1-3 Atalanta

Muriel 16 (A), Verde 30 (S), Djimsiti 73 (A), Pasalic 88 (A)

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

Luis Muriel contributed a goal and an assist around the Berat Djimsiti header, as Atalanta conquered La Spezia despite conceding after some suicidal defending.

Watch the highlights here.

Serie A Highlights: Spezia 1-3 Atalanta

Both teams were furious at recent refereeing decisions, so tension was high at the Stadio Picco. Ivan Provedel was available after his one-match ban for blasphemous phrases was revoked on appeal, while Martin Erlic returned from suspension, with Leo Sena and Ebrima Colley still injured. La Dea missed Giuseppe Pezzella, Rafael Toloi and Josip Ilicic.

Simone Bastoni ran onto a slide-rule pass and narrowed the angle too much, only able to hit the outside of the near post.

Atalanta took the lead moments later, Luis Muriel exchanging passes with Ruslan Malinovskyi to enter the penalty area, selling a dummy on Jakub Kiwior before drilling into the far bottom corner.

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Spezia-Atalanta, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

Spezia equalised with the most route one approach, because every Atalanta outfield player was inside the opposition half when Daniele Verde was sent clear on a Giulio Maggiore ball over the top, beating Juan Musso one-on-one.

Verde almost had another a couple of minutes later, although he was offside, but still worth noting both the spectacular chest and volley with his back to goal and Musso’s save at the near top corner.

Remo Freuler should’ve done better when prodding a Teun Koopmeiners cross wide from six yards and Malinovskyi’s free kick stung the goalkeeper’s gloves.

Muriel skimmed the far top corner with a powerful strike off the outside of the boot that swerved at the last second.

Jeremie Boga’s free header was off target, but two defenders combined for the second Atalanta goal. A free kick was taken quickly, Merih Demiral knocked it down for the Berat Djimsiti header at the back post, his first Serie A goal of the season and the 20th different Atalanta player to score in the league this term.

Boga smashed a powerful strike onto the crossbar after a smart passing move, Provedel parrying the follow-up too, while Emmanuel Gyasi missed a sitter after turning Hans Hateboer.

Mario Pasalic sealed it when Muriel threaded through a slide-rule pass and he just swept it first-time into the far bottom corner with the inside of the right boot from 12 yards.

Spezia 1-3 Atalanta

Muriel 16 (A), Verde 30 (S), Djimsiti 73 (A), Pasalic 88 (A)

Marino: ‘Atalanta collapse is inexplicable’

Atalanta director Umberto Marino admits their collapse in the second half of the season is ‘inexplicable,’ but there are no doubts on Gian Piero Gasperini’s future at the club.

La Dea visit Spezia at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT).

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

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Spezia-Atalanta, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

They are currently in eighth place on 56 points, level with Fiorentina, and risk not qualifying for Europe after three consecutive seasons in the Champions League.

“We have three games and will fight to the end,” Marino told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s difficult to make predictions, as every round seems to have big surprises. All I can say is we’ll play our cards to the very end.”

Atalanta seemed to crumble in the second half of the season, a complete turnaround to their usual routine of surging in Spring.

“We are all asking ourselves the same questions, from the President to the players. It’s fairly inexplicable and can’t be blamed only on fitness, injuries or anything else. There was certainly a drop in form, but we are still in the running and were on the verge of the Europa League semi-finals this season.”

Marino was asked if he was planning a meeting with coach Gasperini to discuss the future, especially now that Atalanta are under new ownership with the investment of American Stephen Pagliuca.

“There’s nothing to clarify. We are in daily contact with the coach, we are in symbiosis and have continual dialogue.”

Marino: ‘Atalanta collapse is inexplicable’

Atalanta director Umberto Marino admits their collapse in the second half of the season is ‘inexplicable,’ but there are no doubts on Gian Piero Gasperini’s future at the club.

La Dea visit Spezia at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT).

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

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Spezia-Atalanta, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

They are currently in eighth place on 56 points, level with Fiorentina, and risk not qualifying for Europe after three consecutive seasons in the Champions League.

“We have three games and will fight to the end,” Marino told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s difficult to make predictions, as every round seems to have big surprises. All I can say is we’ll play our cards to the very end.”

Atalanta seemed to crumble in the second half of the season, a complete turnaround to their usual routine of surging in Spring.

“We are all asking ourselves the same questions, from the President to the players. It’s fairly inexplicable and can’t be blamed only on fitness, injuries or anything else. There was certainly a drop in form, but we are still in the running and were on the verge of the Europa League semi-finals this season.”

Marino was asked if he was planning a meeting with coach Gasperini to discuss the future, especially now that Atalanta are under new ownership with the investment of American Stephen Pagliuca.

“There’s nothing to clarify. We are in daily contact with the coach, we are in symbiosis and have continual dialogue.”

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

Paulo Dybala scored a wonderful goal, but Genoa completed a dramatic comeback with Domenico Criscito this time in tears of joy for a last-gasp penalty.

Watch the highlights here.

Serie A Highlights: Genoa 2-1 Juventus

The Bianconeri were already guaranteed a top four finish, but didn’t rotate the squad too much ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final against Inter. Juan Cuadrado and Mattia De Sciglio returned, with Danilo and Luca Pellegrini joining long-term absentees Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie, Federico Chiesa and Kaio Jorge, so 18-year-old Fabio Miretti started his second game in midfield. Genoa were desperate after the defeat to Sampdoria left them four points from safety, with Nikola Maksimovic and Zinho Vanheusden not fully fit.

Moise Kean wasted a huge chance in the opening minutes, nodding over from a Paulo Dybala cross at the back post.

Mattia Destro also turned a header over from a Pablo Galdames corner, while Salvatore Sirigu got his fingertips to a Kean pull-back for Dusan Vlahovic.

Serie A Liveblog: Inter-Empoli and Genoa-Juventus

Leonardo Bonucci charged down Filippo Melegoni’s attempt and Dybala tested Sirigu from distance, as did Manolo Portanova on Wojciech Szczesny with a scorcher.

Straight after the restart, Destro ballooned over when relatively undisturbed from eight yards, but Juventus did take their chance moments later.

Dybala gathered just outside the D and unleashed a wonderful curling finish with his weaker right foot into the far bottom corner, dipping just beyond Sirigu’s fingertips.

Szczesny had to readjust after a poor Kean back-pass and deal with a Frendrup strike, but Dybala almost had a second when curling with his left foot from a similar position to the goal, this time finding the base of the upright.

Vlahovic rode two tackles to force a save at the near post, while Kean had the ball in the net only after he was flagged offside.

Caleb Ekuban’s header whistled wide, but Genoa breathed a sigh of relief when the referee awarded a penalty on 84 minutes, only to change his mind after a VAR on-field review, seeing Albert Gudmundsson got the ball before Marley Ake.

It proved decisive, because moments later Gudmundsson equalised for Genoa. It was a divinely weighted through ball from Nadiem Amiri and he kept his cool for the angled drive past Szczesny.

It should’ve been 2-1 for Genoa a minute after that, Juve giving it away cheaply only for Amiri to fire straight at Szczesny from nine yards. Amiri also saw a shot charged down by Denis Zakaria.

Kean was limping badly when Alvaro Morata went on the counter and rolled it across for the young striker to incredibly fire wide of an open goal.

That again proved decisive, because moments later Mattia De Sciglio brought down Kelvin Yeboah for a penalty. Criscito had been left in floods of tears just days earlier when his last-gasp penalty was saved against Sampdoria. However, the veteran immediately stepped up and converted with the last kick of the game into the bottom corner, this time left with tears of joy as his teammates surrounded him.

Genoa are still alive and Criscito went from zero to hero.

Genoa 2-1 Juventus

Dybala 48 (J), Gudmundsson 87 (G), Criscito pen 96 (G)