HEROES

Carpi
Just five years after playing in Serie D, Carpi have gained promotion to Italy’s top flight. Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Bari confirmed that the tiny club will play in Serie A next year. The club play in a stadium with a capacity of just 4,144 – somewhat smaller than Serie A’s miniumum requirement of £20,000. Whether an exception will be made or Carpi will have to play their home games elsewhere, remains to be seen. For the time being, the club are enjoying this most unlikely of moments.

Bournemouth
Seven years after going into administration and then almost dropping out of the Football League, they are promoted to the English top flight for the first time – barring defeat and a 19-goal swing in Middlesbrough’s favour on the last day of the season.

VILLAIN

German Denis
The Atalanta forward has been banned for five matches after he burst into the dressing room of Serie A opponents Empoli and punched opposing defender Lorenzo Tonelli. The striker has been given a five-match ban which, given the serious nature of the assault, seems a relatively lenient punishment.