The "ciao" of Spalletti was expected, after the formalization at the beginning of the week of his desires for rest, that of Ibrahimovic was less so, some media evoking a possible final season at Monza.

But "Ibra", often injured this season, has come to his senses: "It's time to say goodbye to football, not just to you," he told Milan fans, on the pitch of the San Siro stadium, after the victory of his partners against Hellas Verona (3-1) on the 38th and last day of the season.

The emotion was visible on the Swede's face before kick-off when he last sat on the bench at San Siro, not on the sheet because he was hampered by a calf after playing very little this season. The man who became the oldest goalscorer in Serie A in March, scoring against Udinese, was greeted by a huge "GoodBye" tifo deployed in the stands by the rossoneri tifosi.

Leao embraces Ibra

"We can only thank him for everything he has done for us. And it's sad that a champion like that doesn't play football anymore," coach Stefano Pioli told Milan channel.

Rafael Leao, author of a double, came to embrace after his first goal the Swede, who had applauded the first goal rossonero signed Olivier Giroud on penalty.

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti before the match against Sampdoria, on June 4, 2023 in Naples © Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

In Naples, Spalletti left as often this season, winning, against Sampdoria Genoa, already relegated (2-0). There was no other challenge for the Neapolitans than to succeed in the "der" of their coach, before the official presentation of the Italian championship cup in a packed Maradona stadium.

Victor Osimhen, who secured his title as the top scorer of the season thanks to his 26th goal (64th), and Giovanni Simeone, who celebrated his goal by showing a shirt worn by the idol Maradona, were responsible for ensuring victory against a Samp where the striker (from Napoli) of the Samp Fabio Quagliarella, who, at 40, walked out to a standing ovation from the entire stadium after probably playing his last Serie A game.

This was followed by the official presentation of this third title, more than three decades after the first two of the Maradona era (1987, 1990).

Relegation play-off

"It's incredible, such a passion, I feel like I'm in the heart of Napoli that pulsates," Spalletti told DAZN, dismissing the idea of changing his mind: "I have to be true to myself, it's a decision I made," he stressed, even if "when I see them enter the field, it will do something to me".

Any advice to his successor, what is his president looking for? "I will just tell him to trust these players, because they have a lot of human and sporting qualities," concluded the coach.

The evening also allowed Atalanta Bergamo (5th), victorious of Monza (5-2), and AS Roma (6th), who dominated La Spezia (2-1) but lost their striker Tammy Abraham, hit in the knee, to secure their place in the Europa League.

Despite a victory in Udine (1-0), Juventus (7th) will have to settle for a place in the Europa League Conference at the end of a very complicated season, weighed down by a penalty of ten points for accounting fraud.

At the bottom of the table, the suspense will still stretch a week to know who will accompany in Serie B Cremonese (19th) and Sampdoria (20th). La Spezia and Hellas Verona, tied on points in 17th place, will have to play a play-off, probably on June 11, whose loser will be relegated to D2.

© 2023 AFP