Results from round 20:
Serie A table:
Cagliari’s 2020 begins full of hope
Cagliari’s second win of the season is against the same opponent with which they got the first. Playing against Sampdoria is a lucky charm for Walter Mazzarri’s men, who overturned the result.
Manolo Gabbiadini carried his form onto the new year, scoring for the sixth consecutive game, but Cagliari managed to reduce the gap to 17th place to three points.
The game was quiet up until Alessandro Deiola scored, and Leonardo Pavoletti converted the winner for the Sardinians’ victory.
Caprari leads covid hit Verona
Despite 10 players out with coronavirus, Hellas Verona win at the Stadio Picco, with Spezia now reducing their lead over the relegation zone to three points.
Caprari punished Spezia in the space of 10 minutes to move the Gialloblu back in the top 10.
Spezia’s only threat came with Martin Erlic, but it was short-lasting, given Kevin Agudelo was sent off just moments later for Spezia, allowing Verona to seal the game to the end.
Embed from Getty ImagesLazio’s numerous efforts are held off by Empoli
Empoli’s away form was to be tested against Lazio, who proved good at home this season.
The visitors were off quickly, scoring two goals in quick succession, before Ciro Immobile made it 2-1 in the first 13 minutes. The rest of the half went by with Empoli trying to resist and being saved by the crossbar who stopped Felipe Anderson.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic equalised, but Empoli went back up thanks to Federico Di Francesco. Lazio gave their all, but Patric’s goal was disallowed and Ciro Immobile missed a penalty.
At the death, Milinkovic-Savic’s strike gave Lazio a point.
Sassuolo and Genoa both unhappy with their draw
Mattia Destro and Domenico Berardi are their team’s stars, and they were both on the scoresheet on the day of the Epiphany.
Destro’s eighth goal in 12 games gave the hope to end a winless run for Genoa which now extends to 17.
Berardi’s goal is a small reward for Sassuolo, who will once again feel they should have gotten more out of a game.
Milan make use of the covid situation to move to within a point
Bologna’s bad covid situation forced Inter to postpone the game and Milan didn’t fail to take the chance, winning against a tough opponent like Roma. They can now put pressure on Inter by moving to within a point.
The Rossoneri were strong off the whistle, being 2-0 up with Olivier Giroud and Junior Messias who both scored after howlers by Tammy Abraham and Roger Ibanez.
Roma’s reaction was evident just after Abraham equalised, but it all ended when Rick Karsdorp was sent off. Rafael Rafael Leao soon made it three, before Ibrahimovic missed a penalty in stoppage time.
Napoli overcome covid crisis and resist against Juventus
For the first time in 11 years, Napoli end the season unbeaten against Juventus and it’s also the first time it happens to the coach Luciano Spalletti.
The Partenopei’s result wasn’t necessarily expected, with multiple players out for various reasons, but Dries Mertens’ opener was greatly needed and proved enough to keep the Bianconeri distant five points in the table.
Federico Chiesa equalised, but Juventus once again struggled going forward and, even though Napoli struggled, they could fend them off.
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