Football: Serie A Review!

Juventus edged closer to a new scudetto record, while Francesco Totti left fans guesing as to his future intentions at Roma. Along with Maurizio Sarri's veiled threats to leave if Napoli sell Dries Mertens, here are five things we learned from Serie A: 

Allegri coy, but Juve eye scudetto record 

Juventus gave their closest rivals incentive for a late-season fightback with a 2-2 draw at Atalanta, but Roma failed to capitalise in a dismal, 3-1 derby defeat to Lazio that left Juve nine points in front with four games to play. Although coach Massimiliano Allegri has faith in his treble-chasing Turin giants, he remains coy until they mathematically secure what would be a record sixth consecutive Serie A title: "The championship isn't over. Even though the scudetto is ours to lose, we've still got the (Torino) derby to come and a game with Roma."



Totti teaser after 'final' Rome derby?

Francesco Totti predicted a 2-0 win over Lazio on Sunday, but after suffering a 3-1 defeat in what was billed as the 'final' 'Derby della Capitale' of his storied career, the Roma icon left a question mark over his future as a player. In his 25th and final season with the club, Totti is scheduled to end his career at the end of the current campaign. But on Sunday, he left fans guessing with a post-match teaser: "Last derby? That's what the others say, I'm saying nothing.

Yet, after replacing Daniele De Rossi with 17 minutes to play, Totti – reduced to sporadic cameo appearances this term – failed to spark Roma into life. On one of his first touches, the 40-year-old was dispossessed by Lucas Biglia, who set up Felipe Anderson for a counter that saw Wojciech Szczesny spectacularly thwart the Brazilian with his trailing leg. Later, Biglia bagged what might just turn out to be a memorable 'final' Totti derby shirt.

Mertens sale would 'end' cycle for Sarri

Speculation that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis could bow to big-money offers and sell star midfielder Dries Mertens has reached the ears of Maurizio Sarri, and the Napoli coach doesn't like it. He suggested he would leave, too, as a Mertens' departure in the summer transfer period, which ends in August, would "end a cycle" at the club.

"If I'm not happy by August, then I will tell the club. If he leaves, then it will be the end of a cycle." According to reports, Mertens is set for a big-money move in the summer after a season that has seen him hit a stunning 22 goals after being pushed into the striker's role following injury to Arkadiusz Milik. De Laurentiis – who sold Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus for an Italian transfer record fee of 90m euros last summer – could be tempted to cash in.

Milan giants in last-gasp Europa dash

Both are now Chinese-owned, but that's not the only similarity between AC Milan and city rivals Inter, who both slipped up in their respective bids to boost their Europa League qualifying chances. AC Milan, away to struggling Crotone while Inter hosted Napoli, contrived to drop points in a dominant but ultimately disappointing 1-1 draw at relegation-haunted Crotone. Inter, meanwhile, fared even worse, Stefano Pioli's men outclassed by a well-oiled Napoli in a thrilling San Siro fixture decided by Jose Callejon's first-half strike. Milan are sixth, but five points behind Atalanta in fifth – equivalent to the second automatic Europa League spot. Inter are three points further behind in seventh.

Penalty confusion for Juve, Lazio fans

Not a week goes by without a penalty controversy in Serie A, and last weekend was no different with Juventus and Lazio fans both left enraged due to refereeing blunders. Juventus should have been awarded a penalty 12 minutes into the second half of a 2-2 draw at Atalanta when Miralem Pjanic's floated cross was handled by defender Rafael Toloi.

The referee blew the whistle, but only to signal that Mario Mandzukic was offside after the Croatian met the cross at the back post. Amid Juve protests, the referee's decision, later confirmed as wrong, stood. Lazio, too, were riled up after conceding a penalty against Roma that deprived Simone Inzaghi's men a clean sheet from an otherwise credible derby win.

 The referee pointed to the spot when Wallace appeared to upend Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, although television pictures put the Lazio defender in the clear.