Re: CALCiO SERIE A 2013/2014

Fiorentina moved to within a point of securing their place in Europe next season after beating relegation-threatened Bologna 3-0 on Saturday evening.

First-half goals from Juan Cuadrado and Josip Ilicic put the Viola on their way to a win which should be enough to clinch them a place in the Europa League next season with three Serie A games remaining.

Cuadrado's second late on sealed the convincing victory, leaving Bologna potentially three points adrift of safety this weekend as their relegation plight worsened at the Stadio Dall'Ara, despite a valiant effort to recover in the second half.

Saturday's other match saw Inter Milan and Napoli play out a goalless draw at the San Siro.

Only the breadth of the post denied Gokhan Inler a late winner for the visitors in an even game which saw both sides create plenty of chances but neither break the deadlock.

Napoli remain third in the standings, two places above their opponents.

Re: CALCiO SERIE A 2013/2014

Fiorentina have conceded defeat to Napoli in the race for Champions League football but the Viola can finish their season on a high with victory in Saturday night's Coppa Italia final.

Napoli are set to finish third in Serie A as they are eight points clear of nearest rivals Fiorentina with three games remaining.

Both sides are eager to confirm their status as a power in Italy and can do so with victory at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

"We want to win the Coppa Italia and finish fourth in the league," Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella said.

"It has been a difficult season due to injuries and my team has done an extraordinary job.

"I would have liked to have had all my players available for this final."

The Viola, who have not won the Coppa since the 2000-01 campaign, lost their top scorer Giuseppe Rossi to a serious knee injury back in January.

Moreover, the club's top summer signing Mario Gomez has been plagued by injuries, making just nine league appearances all season.

Both players have been included in Fiorentina's travelling party but are unlikely to feature on Saturday.

"Rossi is finding his rhythm in training and I think he will be ready for the World Cup," Montella said.

"But in a final you cannot use players that need to find their form.

"I have an idea of who will play but it will be the condition of the players to make the difference."

Montella, who will be without suspended midfielder Juan Cuadrado, is hoping to recover midfielder Borja Valero and goalkeeper Norberto Neto, both doubtful.

Valero sustained a knee injury in last weekend's 3-0 triumph at Bologna while Neto hurt a finger in training this week.

Rivals Napoli will be bolstered by the presence of the team's top scorer Gonzalo Higuain.

"We hope to lift the Coppa because people's evaluation of our season will also depend on this final."

The Argentinian striker sustained a heavy bruise to the right shin bone during his team's goalless draw at Inter Milan last time out and has been fighting against the clock to recover for the game.

"Not everyone in the team is 100 per cent, but we are in good shape," Napoli coach Rafael Benitez said.

"I'm optimistic that Higuain will recover."

Benitez, who is in his first season at Napoli, expects a battle from start to finish against the Viola.

"We can win but we can't make the mistake of thinking it will happen just because we are Napoli," he said.

"Fiorentina keep the ball well and have character.

"But we hope to lift the Coppa because people's evaluation of our season will also depend on this final. In any case, whatever happens at the Olimpico, I consider our season a success."

Napoli, who became the first club to exit the Champions League group stages despite taking 12 points earlier this season, most recently in 2012.

Re: CALCiO SERIE A 2013/2014

Italian cup final in Rome delayed by fan violence

Saturday's Italian cup final was delayed by more than 30 minutes following trouble inside the stadium ahead of the match between Napoli and Fiorentina at Rome's Olympic Stadium.

It followed violence before the game when, according to reports, three Napoli supporters and a policeman were injured close to the venue.

All three fans were taken to hospital

However, police have suggested the shootings do not appear to have been linked to violence inside the stadium.

Re: CALCiO SERIE A 2013/2014

Juventus secured their third straight Italian title as nearest rivals Roma suffered a shock defeat at Catania.

Needing a win to keep their slim hopes alive, Roma fell 2-0 behind through captain Mariano Izco's quickfire double for Serie A's bottom side.

Roma skipper Francesco Totti halved the deficit before half-time, but Gonzalo Bergessio and Pablo Barrientos clinched Catania's win after the break.

Defeat leaves Roma eight points behind Juventus with two matches remaining.

Now Antonio Conte's men will celebrate their Scudetto success with a title-winning party in their home match against Atalanta on Monday.

Re: CALCiO SERIE A 2013/2014

Jornada 37

Re: CALCiO SERIE A 2013/2014

Swansea City attacking midfielder, Michu has reportedly undergone and passed a medical at Italian Serie A side, Napoli.

According to Spanish radio station, Cadena COPE, Michu has taken the final to step to joining Napoli following the Welsh side’s acquisition of Bafetimbi Gomis from Lyon, either on a season-long loan or full transfer.

The former Real Oviedo youth product was a breakout star following his move from Rayo Vallecano to Swansea City in the summer of 2012, leading the charge for Michael Laudrup’s side scoring 22 goals in 43 appearances and Europa League qualification.

Michu soon became a sensation in Wales and England, even being a target for Arsenal in the summer of 2013, but a season fraught with injury slowed Michu’s progression and forced the club to look for alternatives under new manager Gary Monk.

Michu is expected to sign his new deal and be announced by Napoli in the coming days or even hours.