Mattia Molinari
What a few weeks it has been for Italian football! With three teams out of the last eight in the Champions League, two in the last eight of the Europa League, and one in the last eight of the Conference League, Serie A teams are showing signs of their past selves from decades ago, with the thrill of Matchday 30 showing just that.
US Cremonese 1 - 0 Empoli FC
In Cremona, 19th place Cremonese found their third win of the season against 14th place Empoli and are now at two wins and one draw in their last five games, their best form of the season. While relegation looks almost certain for them, with a good run, they could just overcome the relegation zone.
Spezia Calcio 0 - 3 SS Lazio
The second match of the weekend saw Lazio extend their run of good form by putting three past Spezia away from home. Ciro Immobile opened the scoring with goals from Felipe Anderson and Marcos Antônio to follow.
Bologna FC 1 - 1 AC Milan
After conceding a goal 32 seconds into the match, A. C. Milan were held to a draw against Bologna, who are now level in points with Juventus. Despite having 19 efforts at goal, Milan were only able to put one past Bologna in the 40th minute through Tommaso Pobega. It is now two more draws for Milan, whose spot in the top four looks less and less safe.
SSC Napoli 0 - 0 Hellas Verona FC
In Napoli, Verona picked up an important point against Serie A’s leaders with a strong defensive performance. The match finished 0-0 after Napoli had a goal disallowed and Victor Osimhen, the league’s top scorer, struck the crossbar. Cyril Ngonge had a chance of a lifetime to put Verona up in the 91st minute but scuffed his shot in a one on one with the keeper. Nonetheless, an essential point for the visitors still trying to make it out of the bottom three.
AC Monza 1 - 0 Inter Milan
Monza once again showed their class with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan at San Siro. The newly promoted team sits comfortably in 13th place. Inter Milan now has four losses in the last five games and is struggling to crack back into the top four.
US Lecce 1 - 1 UC Sampdoria
Lecce opened the scoring in their fixture during the 31st minute with Assan Ceesay. Last place UC Sampdoria equalized in the 75th minute through the ex-Madridista Jésé.
Torino FC 1 - 1 US Salernitana
In Torino, Tonny Vilhena scored early to give the visitors Salernitana the lead. In the second half, it was Antonio Sanabria to equalize for Torino and bag his 9th goal of the season, but it was not enough to see them move up into the top ten.
US Sassuolo Calcio 1 - 0 Juventus FC
It really is a season to forget for Juventus, who picked up their second loss in a row, this time to Sassuolo. Grégoire Defrel put the ball in the net 64 minutes in, with Juventus unable to respond. The result has again mounted pressure on Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, with the majority of fans once again in favor of his dismissal at the end of the season. He will be looking to satisfy the fans on Thursday with a win against Sporting CP in the Europa League.
AS Roma 3 - 0 Udinese Calcio
Third place Roma, playing at home in the Stadio Olimpico, put three past visitors Udinese. The goals came from Edoardo Bove, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Tammy Abraham, and Roma now sits five points behind their rivals Lazio. Udinese had a chance to get a goal back in the 69th minute with a penalty, but Roberto Pereyra was not able to capitalize.
ACF Fiorentina 1 - 1 Atalanta BC
Fiorentina leveled the scoring in the second half after Joakim Mæle put them 1-0 up in the 37th minute. Atalanta continues to struggle to break into the top four.