The Last Round

GamE_Ove12 said:

VS.

:neutral:

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Moratti's Cuper nightmare
Saturday 10 May, 2008

Inter President Massimo Moratti admits the thought of losing the Scudetto to Hector Cuper’s Parma on the final day is bringing back unpleasant memories.

Cuper was in charge of the Nerazzurri when they famously threw away the title on May 5, 2002 with a 4-2 defeat away to Lazio.

In a curious twist of fate, Inter will come face to face with Cuper again on the last day of this season, as they travel to Parma for the final game.

“No, I really hope we don’t go down to the last round!” said Moratti. “I wouldn’t want to reach the stage of gambling it all against Cuper…”

Yet that will be the scenario if Inter fail to defeat Siena on Sunday and Roma get the better of Atalanta.

Last week’s derby loss to Milan cut the gap to just three points, although the leaders have the advantage of a better head-to-head record, so if the two clubs finish tied at the top then Inter will take the title.

“We are experiencing the lead-up to this game in a relaxed manner, because the players know what they have to do.”

There are disconcerting signs for the Beneamata, though, as Siena have already beaten Roma and Juventus this season.

Also, the Inter squad were extremely tense in Wednesday’s fiery Coppa Italia semi-final win over Lazio, as Marco Materazzi and Coach Roberto Mancini saw red, while Julio Cruz was caught on camera punching Aleksandar Kolarov.

“It seems as if Mancini really charged them up,” smiled Moratti, who this week accused the team of lacking courage and playing sluggishly.

“All joking aside, I liked the way everyone played.”

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/may10b.html

:smileani:

george_acp said:

I just read in A Greek site that there will be relegation playoffs if Catania or Empoli or Parma end up with the same points.Is this real or not?

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There would be if they all end up on the same points, which isn't possible because Parma will have to win and Catania draw for Parma and Catania to end up on same points (37) and Empoli at 33 couldn't catch them with a win. Likewise, the only way Empoli and Catania could be on the same points is if Catania loses and Empoli wins, putting them at 36 points each, a number which Parma can only go under (34 with a loss, 35 with draw) or over (37 with a win). Basically, Empoli can end with 33, 34, or 36 points; Parma with 34, 35, or 37 points; and Catania with 36, 37, or 39 points.

If two teams finish level on points, head-to-head is used. Catania has advantage over Parma, Parma has advantage over Empoli, Empoli has advantage over Catania. BUT! Parma's advantage is useless because the only amount of points on which Parma and Empoli can finish level on is 34, which would see them both relegated anyways. :googly:

Its complicated, but I love thinking about these scenarios. (Especially since Toro is now safe. :hopeful