Week 21 of the Serie A was an exciting one. Many teams are trying to claw their way into the Champions League and Europa League positions, but Juventus have been asserting dominance of the league time and time again. Here’s what happened this weekend and Monday with the top teams in the league.
Lazio 3-1 AC Milan
Always great to see two world class clubs go at it during the season. Lazio made it clear that they want a spot in the Champions League next season.
A sloppy turn and pass from a Lazio midfielder early in the fourth minute allowed Jeremy Menez to attack the goal alone and did well to finish past Lazio’s keeper.
They kept the lead for the rest of the half, but Lazio were right back in it two minutes in the second half. Marco Parolos’ run into the box was met by a fantastic cross from Miroslav Klose. Parolo hit the ball with the side of his foot while in the air to slot it past Diego Lopez.
Just four minutes later, Lazio stole the lead as Klose took advantage of Riccardo Montolivos’ bad pass back towards goal. Like the experienced finisher that he is, he slotted it right past Lopez with just centimeters to spare.
Lazio sealed the game in the 81st minute as Antonio Candreva was allowed to run freely down the right-wing, his cross back across the goal was missed by Filip Djordjevic, but Parolo was there to hit it home. Djordjevic was injured on the play.
Philip Mexes was sent off in the 97th minute after displaying some strong aggression towards Stefano Mauri and faces a four match ban.
AC milan move to 10th place in the league and Lazio secure third place but are equal on points with Sampdoria.
Juventus 2-0 Chievo Verona
Juventus again put on an impressive display proving why they are at the top of the table.
It took 60 minutes for the first goal to be scored. Paul Pogba showed some world class skill splitting two defenders and unleashing a rocket with his left foot into the bottom corner. In the 73rd minute, Pogba sent Simone Padoin down the wing. Padoin’s cross was met by Pogba who brought it down with his foot and before it could touch the ground, hit it hard, but keeper, Albano Bizzari was there to block it. The rebound was met by Stephan Lichsteiner who hit it into an open net.
With 20 games gone in the season, Juventus take a big lead of seven points over Roma and fifteen points over third place, Lazio.
Sampdoria 1-1 Palermo
New signing, Samuel Eto’o was not able to debut this match, but Sampdoria looked alright without him.
Sampdoria took an early lead in the 6th minute as Citadin Eder’s diagonal run was met by a good pass from Roberto Soriano. Eder was able to get a shot off and into the opposite corner of the goal.
Sampdoria continued to bombard Palermo’s goal with crosses and chances, but Palermo were able to pull one back with an absolute laser off a half-volley from Franco Vazquez from the 18 yard box.
Palermo got themselves back into the match and were almost able to take all the points after Michel Morganella’s strike towards the opposite corner was trusted down by the cross-bar and back out of the mouth of the goal. It was not marked as a goal, but replays show that the referees made a mistake as the ball crossed the line.
Both teams walk away with a well deserved point, but Sampdoria miss an opportunity to steal fourth place from Lazio and close the gap on Napoli.
Inter Milan 0-1 Torino
Inter’s worries continue even after their two new offensive signings.
Torino stole all the points from Inter just 20 seconds before full time, even after Inter had held most of the possession and knocked on the door a few times. A flicked on corner by Maxi Lopez found Emiliano Moretti for an easy goal to upset the Italian giants.
Fiorentina 1- 1 Roma
Mario Gomez opened up the scoring after he was able to redirect David Pizarro’s shot into the opposite corner that keeper, Morgan De Sanctis, was diving to.
Roma got level four minutes after the half as Juan Manuel Iturbe was able to fight off defenders and get a low cross to Adem Ljajic’s feet and was able to find the low corner.
Roma tied in the league for the third time in a row allowing Juventus to take a seven point lead over them.
Napoli 2-1 Genoa
Gonzalo Higuain was the man of the hour as he netted a brace. His first came in the seventh minute after Jose Callejon’s shot was deflected by the keeper and Higuain was there to hit it home with an easy header.
Johnathan De Guzman missed an easy chance before the half trying to chip the keeper, but it hit the top netting.
Genoa held on tight and were able to tie the game up with a low shot from Iago Flaque from the 18 yard box.
Napoli were awarded a penalty in the 75 minute after Raul Albiol was brought down in the box on a corner-kick. Higuain stepped up to the box and struck an amazing shot to the left corner. The kepper guessed right, but the shot was much too powerful for him to get to it.
Other Results:
Cagliari 2-1 Sassuolo
Hellas Verona 1-0 Atlanta
Parma 1-2 Cesena
Empoli 1-2 Udinese