Serie A final day: Cristiano Ronaldo drop hints on his Juventus future, Lecce relegated
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Cristiano Ronaldo ponders his future ahead the clash between Juventus and Roma at Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy, August 1, 2020. /VCG

Cristiano Ronaldo ponders his future ahead the clash between Juventus and Roma at Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy, August 1, 2020. /VCG

Almost 12 months after it started, the longest Serie A season in history finally drew to a close on Sunday. Though Juventus' firm grip on the Italian title remains a familiar yet boring narrative along the coronavirus-delayed campaign, the battle for the last relegation spot went down to the wire, as Genoa edged out Lecce to guarantee their survival on the final day for the second successive year.

Coming under huge pressure to win, Davide Nicola's side unleashed incredible attacking power and thrashed Verona 3-0 in a feisty encounter that saw four red cards, while Lecce, who needed to win and hope Genoa lost in order to avoid drop, tragically slumped to a 4-3 defeat to Parma in a seven-goal thriller and relegated to the second division.

Elsewhere Udinese earned a narrow 1-0 win at Sassuolo with Stefano Okaka's strike seven minutes after the interval the difference while Torino and Bologna played a drab 1-1 draw. Earlier in the day, two late goals from Christian Kouame and Erick Pulgar gifted Fiorentina a 3-1 A win at SPAL, who bid the Italian topflight farewell with their 28th defeat of the season.

Lecce are relegated for the ninth time since their Serie A debut in 1985-86. /VCG

Lecce are relegated for the ninth time since their Serie A debut in 1985-86. /VCG

Ronaldo vows to march on

Juventus did finish as the Serie A champions again, with the ninth league title in a row best reward for their dominance. However, Maurizio Sarri's side only claimed two wins from their final eight outings, and finished the campaign with back-to-back defeats against Cagliari and Roma.

OPTA statistics show that Juventus dropped 21 points from leading positions in this season, the most points dropped by a title winner in the competition's history. Meanwhile, Their total points of 83 is the lowest number they've got in the last decade. They also recorded the highest number of defeats (seven), conceded more goals (43) and had the worst goal difference (+33) in comparison with those of their last eight title-winning triumphs.

Sarri was heavily criticized for his lusterless personality and tactics, and it didn't help that he is rumored to have a testy relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus' most expensive and influential superstar. 

Maurizio Sarri (R) issues instructions to Cristiano Ronaldo during the Serie A clash between Verona and Juventus at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Verona, Italy, February 8, 2020. /VCG

Maurizio Sarri (R) issues instructions to Cristiano Ronaldo during the Serie A clash between Verona and Juventus at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Verona, Italy, February 8, 2020. /VCG

Speculation abounds that the 35-year-old, who lost to Lazio's Ciro Immobilein the race to win golden boot, might seek pastures new if Sarri sticks to his job. But on Sunday, the Portuguese talisman hinted he is staying at Juventus as he relished clinching his second Italian title and wanted more.

"Happy to win the last two of the nine consecutive Serie A titles for Juventus!" said Ronaldo on Instagram. "It seems easy but it isn't! Year after year with talent, dedication and hard work you can achieve your goals and be better than before! Let's go for my third."

Ronaldo could still have the chance to put the icing on the cake of a good season as Juventus aim to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against Lyon in the last-16 round of the Champions League on Friday.

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte barks orders during their Serie A clash with Atalanta at Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy, August 1, 2020. /VCG

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte barks orders during their Serie A clash with Atalanta at Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy, August 1, 2020. /VCG

Conte on the way out?

Finishing only a point behind Juventus is no mean feat, but Inter Milan could still lose their head coach Antonio Conte just a year in charge of the club. The ex-Chelsea tactician launched an expected broadside against the club's board for failing to protect him and his players from criticism when results were not going their way.

"It has been a tough year on a personal level, very tough. I don't think the players saw their work recognized and I don't think I saw my work recognized," said Conte in an explosive interview with Sky Sports Italia on Sunday.

"We all received very little protection from the club. We have to grow and improve in all areas, including off the field, and a big club should protect its players more. We'll discuss it all at the end of the season."

"I can be a lightning rod for the first year, but if you don’t learn and keep making the same mistakes, then that’s just crazy. If you want to reduce the gap with Juventus you have to be strong on the pitch but above all off it," he added.

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte celebrates 51st birthday with his players at Appiano Gentile, Como, Italy, July 31, 2020. /VCG

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte celebrates 51st birthday with his players at Appiano Gentile, Como, Italy, July 31, 2020. /VCG

Inter chief Beppe Marotta tried to calm the water later in the day and issued a statement saying: "It is not easy to analyze objectively. Obviously we have dropped points, but we have learned from these situations too. We have seen an improving team."

"Negative experiences will become great qualities in the future. We must continue on this path, to raise the bar more and more and give satisfaction to the fans. We have a squad that has shown a lot and is up to par," Marotta observed.

Inter could salvage the season by winning a silverware as they still have a crucial tie against Getafe in the Europa League last 16 round.