Results from round 31:
Serie A table:
Spezia’s decisive break troubles Venezia
Venezia’s dreadful 2022 doesn’t change and in this decisive game, it was Spezia who came out as winners with a last minute winner, thanks to Emmanuel Gyasi.
This win promoted Thiago Motta’s team 10 points in front and to a tally of 32, which appears safe considering there are still eight games to play.
On the other hand, Venezia, with just a win in their last 17 games, are living their worst period so far and need a miracle in order to stay up, having already played against direct rivals Sampdoria and Genoa.
Lazio put the derby past themselves
After a shocking defeat for 3-0 to the hands of Roma, Lazio end Sassuolo’s six games unbeaten run and get back running immediately.
Manuel Lazzari scored a beautiful goal after a tremendous run forward and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic got the second, before Hamed Junior Traore pulled one back in stoppage time.
In a head-to-head clash for the Europa League places, every point is crucial, as Sassuolo finally abandon any hope of a top seven finish.
Torino return to winning ways and condemn Salernitana
Prior to their match in Salerno, Torino held the second worst away record. The Granata were also winless in eight games and desperately needed a win.
On the other hand, considering the situation their rivals were approaching the game in, this was a big opportunity for the hosts to get some vital points.
Instead, Andrea Belotti’s second away goal of the season, with a penalty, condemned his opponents, who remain stuck in last place with 16 points. Too little to hope for a last-minute miracle.
Embed from Getty ImagesMore hope for Fiorentina after the Tuscan Derby
Fiorentina remain within two points of sixth-placed Lazio and still in the hunt for a Europa League spot. An unthinkable situation considering last year they finished with their lowest tally ever in a 20 team Serie A campaign.
Their contested 1-0 win against Empoli, who had a red card and a goal disallowed, sends Aurelio Andreazzoli’s team down in 14th place, winless in 14 after sitting comfortably in the top 10 for large parts of the year.
Nico Gonzalez’s first goal in 161 days means no team won more home games this campaign than Fiorentina.Â
Embed from Getty ImagesNapoli respond present for the title fight
Not even the difficult task of playing at the Gewiss Stadium could stop Napoli, whose only defeat in the last 12 games came in a must-win match against title rivals Milan.
Whilst Atalanta may not be the same team they were at the start, now dropping as low as seventh with a terrible second round of games (13 points in 11 games), it is a significant win for Napoli.
The Azzurri scored three goals with Lorenzo Insigne, Matteo Politano and Eljif Elmas, showing that Milan will have to deal with them until the end. It might also mean that Napoli fans may finally witness their team fight for a title until the final matchday for the first time in decades.Â
Beto dominates for Udinese, as the Friulani thrash Cagliari
A hat-trick from Portuguese striker Beto helped his side demolish Cagliari, as his drought lasting from January, 9 is finally over.
Beto not only scored, but he also provided the assist to Rodrigo Becao and then started the build-up to a wonderful chip from 30 metres by Nahuel Molina.
This game brings decisive three points for Udinese, who with their tally standing at 33 make a break for permanence in the Serie A. Cagliari’s fourth straight defeats adds pressure to their previously happier period.Â
Roma’s unbeaten streak consolidates their fifth place
A 10th consecutive unbeaten game for Roma sees them move only five points off Juventus in fourth, and a few lengths in front of Lazio, Atalanta and Fiorentina.
They did so with minimal effort against Sampdoria, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan scoring the winner and keep showing improvements since their infamous 4-3 defeat suffered to the hands of Juventus.Â
Juventus’ downfall comes in their brightest day, as Inter can finally smile
It is ironic that Juventus’ first defeat in 17 games comes in one of their finest performances, after receiving criticism for playing poorly despite winning games.
Inter suffered, but came out as winners in a game worthy of its title. The Derby d’Italia saw multiple controversial episodes, with Hakan Calhanoglu’s winning penalty being taken twice.
The Nerazzurri return to winning away after more than three months, and keep in the running for the title after coming off a spell of poor results. With eight games still to play for, Inter may look ahead with a little bit more of a smile.Â
First defeat for Alexander Blessin, as Simeone condemns his old team
Giovanni Simeone makes it 16 league goals this season, as Verona surpass last year’s point tally and give Alexander Blessin his first defeat since taking over at Genoa.
A great combination with Daniel Bessa and Gianluca Caprari was finished off by the Argentinian striker, with Verona’s front three proving efficient even with Antonin Barak out.
Genoa fail to pick up points for the first time in more than two months, not bad for a side in 19th place, but the gap to Cagliari is still at three points.Â
Embed from Getty ImagesMilan slow down as the title fight spices up
Ahead of this week, Milan had an easier task compared to rivals Inter and Napoli, but were the ones to drop points. Their goalless draw against Bologna sees their lead reduce to one over Luciano Spalletti’s men.
The three title contenders are within four points, with Inter yet to play their game in hand. Milan couldn’t break the deadlock against Bologna and will hope that fear doesn’t start to spread in the changing room.
It was a courageous point for Bologna, who were without Sinisa Mihajlovic, who for the second time in his spell, had to take some time away to fight his disease.Â
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