Naples is without a coach, AC Milan has lost its footing and Como will discover the Champions League: even though Inter Milan had been assured of its 21st scudetto for three weeks, the 38th and final day of the Italian Championship was not lacking in excitement on Sunday.

It was expected and confirmed during a surreal press conference: after two seasons, Antonio Conte will leave Napoli, with whom he won the league title in 2025 and the last Italian Super Cup. In his final match in charge of Napoli, Conte saw his team defeat Udinese (1-0) and finish as runners-up in Italy, eleven points behind Inter Milan, who were held to a draw the previous day in Bologna (3-3).

The key moment of the day, dreaded by Napoli fans, came well after the final whistle. During a press conference that resembled a discussion, at times tense, with club president and owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, Conte, 56, bid farewell to Naples.

To explain his decision, the former Italian international cited, in a somewhat haphazard and unconvincing manner, refereeing decisions and the atmosphere surrounding the team in a city mad about football.

"Naples needs serious people and people who want the best for this club, not negative people, not those who fail. I have failed to change and unite the system around this team," he lamented, visibly annoyed.

Conte recommends Guardiola

Presented by the press as the future coach of the Nazionale, deprived of its third consecutive World Cup and which he already coached from 2014 to 2016, he dismissed what he presented as rumors and advised the Italian Federation, without a president until June 22, to recruit Pep Guardiola who has just left Manchester City.

At San Siro, Milan fans experienced a nightmare. Their team, third in the table and in a favorable position to qualify for the next Champions League at kick-off, were outclassed by Cagliari (2-1) despite having opened the scoring in the 2nd minute.

Despite Luka Modric's return from a facial injury, Milan, booed by their fans at the final whistle, fell to 5th place and will have to settle for the Europa League.

"When you lose five home games, when you collapse like we did during this second half of the season, you can't aim any higher. I'm disappointed, bitter, but you have to accept it," said Massimiliano Allegri.

Because at the same time, AS Roma won 2-0 in Verona and Como dominated Cremonese 4-1.

- Cremonese relegated -

Roma, in their first season under Gian Piero Gasperini and thanks to five wins in the last five matches, finished on the podium (3rd, 73 pts) and will play in the Champions League for the first time since 2018/19.

Even more remarkably, Como, who were still playing in Serie B in 2023/24, will experience the pinnacle of European football. With their coach Cesc Fabregas and their young star Nico Paz being courted by the biggest European clubs, this is the question on the minds of the fans of the ambitious Lombardy club.

"Here, I learn every day, this project is the best for me," Fabregas said dismissively.

This 38th matchday sealed the fate of Cremonese, who, one year after being promoted, will return to Serie B, along with Pisa and Verona.

The last Sunday of the season was also marked by incidents between supporters before the Turin derby between Torino and Juventus, which resulted in one serious injury near the Olympic Stadium.

The match kicked off an hour later. Despite a brace from Dusan Vlahovic, Juve had to settle for a draw (2-2), which secured them 6th place and a spot in the Europa League next season.