Results from round 23:
Serie A table:
Verona keep improving
Verona get consecutive league wins for the first time in more than a year and climb up to ninth against Bologna, who yet havenāt scored a point in 2022.Ā
Riccardo Orsolini put the visitors up, but a back-heel goal from Gianluca Caprari and Nikola Kalinicās return on the scoresheet denied Bologna and gave joy to the people at the Stadio Bentegodi.
Embed from Getty ImagesGenoa hold on with Udinese
For the fourth time this season, the Grifoni start a new chapter with another manager, as Alexander Blessin sat on their bench for the first time.
Genoa were actually the more dangerous side, in a match that saw few emotions, but in which they should have scored.
Udinese resisted but they would have expected to do more against a troubled side, who is winless in 20 games.
Embed from Getty ImagesDzeko resurges to deny stoic Venezia
With a covid outbreak and the absence of multiple starters, Venezia were in doubt to even play against Inter, but proved willing to do so. They showed up by preparing a defensive display which held on until the last minute, when Edin Dzeko denied their hopes.
Thomas Henry gave the visitors a shock lead and, although Venezia only had three shots across the whole game, appeared very organised and would have deserved a point.
Dzeko, who had been one of Interās worst performers across the match and was coming off a rough period, only scoring once in the previous 11 games, proved vital by heading in a cross at the last moment, which gave Inter yet another win.
Lazio and Atalanta struggle with absences
The second 0-0 of the day saw protagonists Lazio and Atalanta, two teams that showed up with multiple absences. Atalanta had only two first team outfield players on the bench, with Lazio featuring regular starters, but still with key men Pedro, Francesco Acerbi and Stefan Radu out.
It was a lost opportunity for Lazio, who hit the post with Mattia Zaccagni but failed to be dangerous, as it was clear that a point was all that Atalanta were happy to want.
Itās a point that doesnāt help either team. Atalanta are threatened by Juventusās return, whilst Lazio are by now surrendering any hopes of a top four finish.
Chances galore as Sottil equalises against his former side
Both Cagliari and Fiorentina lost a big chance to claim three points, that could have put the Sardinians out of the relegation zone and helped Fiorentina close to three points to Juventus.
The game opened with a penalty for Fiorentina missed by Cristiano Biraghi, who took it given Dusan Vlahovicās absence. With Fiorentina having chances to score first, it was Joao Pedro to find a goal, after he also hit the post.Ā
Cagliari seemed to have a great chance when Alvaro Odriozola was sent off and a penalty was awarded, but Joao Pedro missed and 10 men Fiorentina equalised with nothing else than former Cagliari loanee Riccardo Sottil.
Speziaās fate is taking a different trajectory
Thiago Motta was so close to be parting ways with Spezia, who in December reportedly only decided not to sack him to avoid paying a clause that would apply had he been displaced before the new year.
For an unknown reason, Spezia didnāt actually sack him and their generosity and tenacity appears to have paid them fortunes. Spezia since won four games in five, including the last game against Sampdoria.
With Marco Giampaolo as newcomer on the Blucerchiatiās bench, the game saw no shots on target from Sampdoria and a poor performance that now brings back the potential relegation threat.
At the 68th minute however, they had the occasion to win, but Francesco Caputoās header was rebounded by the post. The famous Italian say āgoal missed, goal concededā, struck a minute later, when Daniele Verde scored the winner for Spezia.
Embed from Getty ImagesCome-back man Giacomo Raspadori stops dominant Torino
Six of the seven goals scored this season by Giacomo Raspadori came when the score was not in favour of Sassuolo. Once again, the forward was decisive, as Sassuoloās only shot on target resulted in a goal.
Antonio Sanabria scored first for Torino, who are on good form and will feel like they should have won after such a performance against a side who typically is very offensive like Sassuolo.
The Granata hit the post three times and the Neroverdi hit on the counterattack, teaching that you can be as good as you want during a game, but you have to make sure you close it when you have the opportunity.
Insigne ties Maradona as Napoli move second
Napoli move back up to second place and demonstrate that it may not be over yet for them in the title race.
Juan Jesus, Dries Mertens, Amir Rrahmani and Lorenzo Insigne scored in the derby against Salernitana, with the latter netting his 115th goal with the shirt, tying a great like Diego Armando Maradona.
Napoli appeared very determined and, aside from Federico Bonazzoliās equaliser, had a controlled game, that now sees them back in second.
Romaās poker clears Empoli in one-half
Tammy Abraham is unstoppable at the moment and with two goals gave Roma the advantage, as the Giallorossi were 4-0 up at half-time.
Sergio Oliveira scored again on his second outing for Roma as they got three precious point against a strong side, which maintain Roma in sixth and still with hopes of a top four finish.Ā
Empoli pulled two goals back in the second-half, but it was too little, too late. As Jose Mourinho said: āHad we scored the fifth goal, people would have turned off the tvā.
Milan and Juventus struggle with the pitch of San Siro
For the first time in the history of the Serie A, games were played at the same stadium in the space of just 24 hours. Milanās game followed Interās the previous night.
Both Milan teams lamented the poor quality of the pitch, who hosted eight games in 17 days. The match between Milan and Juventus was very tight of chances and the draw was a fair result.
Milan are losing grips to Interās tremendous form ahead of the derby. Four points separate the two sides, as Juventus also remain in the hunt for the top four and possibly more.
Massimiliano Allegriās side are unbeaten in the league in nine games and got five clean sheets. A sign that a change of directions took place after such a poor start.Ā
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