Quagliarella is even more inconsistent than Di Natale and strikes me as likely to be known as the Gilardino of 2007-08. I would definitely take Iaquinta over Mr. Q, if only because provides the only serious backup for Toni if the unthinkable happens.

Milan's apparent disdain for Borriello is one of the many enduring mysteries of the current state of affairs at Milanello.

It's a very open tournament, about half the teams can rationally believe that they could win it.

Good point about back up for Toni and the major damage if he is missing from the side. I would take Iaquinta, too. And I would play him instead of Trezequet for Juve but that's another story. Inzaghi!? There are still some goals in them boots?

I think of all the "big" clubs the events at Milan could be the most interesting this summer.

Pre tournament is always hard for me to guage who I at least think is good or not, as I only really see England or Italy's competitive games live. I tend to think we may be in for another 2004 early exit.

Speaking of Milan, Silvio has announced that he will once again be relinquishing the presidency to avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest. Should you see anyone taking that to be a significant change in the decision-making process at Milan, please let me know, as I have several bridges available for sale.

He's also begun to talk down the Ronaldinho rumours, they apparently having served their electoral purpose.

Livorno react to their 1-4 humiliation at home to Milan (Pippo with the hat trick) by firing their manager and

. . . .

hiring back the guy they fired in October (who is still on the payroll, etc.)

There were rumours that Parma were about to part ways with Cuper. Fat lot of good it would do them: for me they're going down. Along with Livorno and Torino.

Firing the manager with three matches left in the season strikes me as the height of megalomanicial presidential idiocy. But then we know that Spinelli is always looking to push the envelope in this regard.

The three teams you mention are precisely the three I would least like to see go down, which is yet another reason why it is likely to happen. Parma also suffer from having what looks like the most difficult run-in of the contenders on paper, though they may well be playing Inter Primavera in their last match rather than the first team.

Here's the bottom of the table and each club's run-in (home matches in ALL CAPS)

Catania 35
Cagliari 35
Torino 34
Empoli 33
-----------
Reggina 33
Parma 31
Livorno 30

Catania: REGGINA, Juventus, ROMA
Cagliari: FIORENTINA, Udinese, REGGINA
Torino: NAPOLI, Livorno, FIORENTINA
Empoli: UDINESE, Reggina, LIVORNO
Reggina: Catania, EMPOLI, Cagliari
Parma: GENOA, Fiorentina, INTER
Livorno: Atalanta, TORINO, Empoli

Reggina are ending their season with four consecutive six pointers (they won their first on Sunday against Parma), and Empoli and Livorno each have two opportunities to make up ground on direct rivals (though on current form Empoli look much more likely to be able to actually do so).

For me, looking at that list Catania, Cagliari, Empoli and Reggina all have the character and fighting spirit to pull out. Parma and Torino, on the other hand, still seem to think that they shouldn't be in this mess and that magically their problems will go away.

It's very hard to argue with that observation.

The fact that all three of the Viola's remaining matches are against clubs in this dogfight is just one reason why I am not confident about them holding on to fourth place (the fact that Milan aren't on the list at all and that they hold the tie-break advantage over Fiorentina are two others).

It's vital Torino stay up. In recent games they've been singing 'Sloop John B' after seeing it on an FC United website. Emails have been sent between sets of supporters, and we're forging links, man.

Your boys look doomed man, did you see the manner of their capitulation in Rome?

Of course I didn't. But it doesn't matter, as I'm sure they carried themselves with much class and dignity.

So both the Championship and the final relegation place will be decided next week, as Parma host Inter and Catania are at home to Roma. Fiorentina will qualify for Champions League football if they avoid defeat at Torino.

Today's results:
Fiorentina-Parma 3-1
Genoa-Lazio 0-2
Inter-Siena 2-2
Juventus-Catania 1-1
Livorno-Torino 0-1
Napoli-Milan 3-1
Palermo-Sampdoria 0-2
Reggina-Empoli 2-0
Roma-Atalanta 2-1
Udinese-Cagliari 0-2

[Inter fans may not agree with this post]

Materazzi had a wonderfully eventfull game. Twice blocking on target shots from his teammates. The Cruz one in particular was a brilliant 'body-on-the-line' block, and was even odder as it came at the end of a swift counter-attack. What the hell was he even doing up there?!?!? Then came him winning a dodgy penalty, taking it himself, weakly, and seeing Manniger save well.

It's good to see the old Inter back. Last year was a procession, which just isn't them. This stumbling at the end is much more like it. Come next saturday, Parma must win to have any chance of staying up, with Inter knowing failure to win could see Roma pip them. Which sets Parma-Inter up brilliantly.

*dizzy with overexcitement*

that was just ace. I can't believe Inter managed to screw that up. I'm sure they'll not do the same next week... but I still have a tiny tiny glimmer of hope in my stomach.

the mentalness of the celebrations for siena's equalisers, particularly the second, was quite funny.

Absolutely classic Inter.

In addition to the Materazzi lapses accurately noted by Janik, Cruz missed four or five excellent chances, Vieira couldn't put a foot right after scoring the first and assisting for the second, Julio Cesar could be faulted on both goals, and Inter looked massively unlikely to score once Balotelli went off (having all of one's attacking hopes pinned on a 17 year old is not a good sign). And Cambiasso may be out against Parma.

But if the Viola manage to beat Torino (who are now safe) next Sunday, they will be in the Champions League and Milan will not be.

come on Parma!!

though I was pleased enough to see them lose today in florence, and also to see Napoli beat Milan so thoroughly.

I think we're all done this time, SP. I'm hoping it'll be an opportunity to regroup rather than another meltdown to go with my Yorkshire version.