Juventus sealed their return to the UEFA Champions League with a tense 3-2 victory over relegated Venezia on the final day of the Serie A season, edging out Roma by just a single point for the coveted fourth place.
Manuel Locatelli’s 73rd-minute penalty secured the win for Juve after an end-to-end clash on the Venice Lagoon. The result meant Claudio Ranieri’s Roma, despite a 2-0 win at Torino, fell short in their bid to return to Europe’s top competition for the first time since 2018.
“It wasn’t easy with three matches away from home against direct rivals in the final few weeks. It’s a good achievement. I’m happy,” said Juve coach Igor Tudor, who is widely expected to be replaced by Antonio Conte this summer. Tudor, who succeeded Thiago Motta in March, hinted his future would be clarified before next month’s Club World Cup.
Juventus had to come from behind after Daniel Fila gave Venezia a shock second-minute lead. Quickfire strikes from Kenan Yildiz and Randal Kolo Muani turned the game around by the half-hour mark. However, Ridgeciano Haps levelled early in the second half, temporarily putting Roma in fourth as they led Torino through goals from Leandro Paredes and Alexis Saelemaekers.
But Locatelli’s composed finish from the spot, after Francisco Conceicao was fouled by Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, sealed Juve’s fourth-place finish and left Roma in the Europa League.
Ranieri, who retires once again after lifting Roma from near-relegation to a European place, expressed pride in his team’s effort. “We’re sorry for the fans, but we gave everything and when you give everything you can only be satisfied,” he said.
The veteran manager stayed tight-lipped about his successor, though reports link Como’s Cesc Fabregas and Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini to the role.
Roma’s achievement is notable, especially with Lazio missing out on Europe altogether following a 1-0 home defeat to Lecce. Fiorentina claimed the UEFA Conference League spot after a 3-2 win over Udinese.
Venezia, who needed a win and other results to go their way, join Monza and Empoli in relegation to Serie B. Verona ensured their survival with a crucial 2-1 win at Empoli.
