Roma and Atalanta share the stakes. The postponement of the nineteenth matchday ends 1-1, definitively closing the first round of Serie A. At the Olimpico everything is decided in the first half. After eight minutes Koopmeiners takes care of it with an assist from Miranchuk to put Atalanta ahead with a header, not really a trademark of the Dutchman. Roma managed to equalize the score in the 39th minute, thanks also to the intervention of the VAR who highlighted to Aureliano the contact in the area between Ruggeri and Karsdorp: It’s a penalty kick. From eleven meters Dybala displaces Carnesecchi. The two goalkeepers for their respective teams are the protagonists. In the first half, Rui Patricio had to say no to De Ketelaere with a feat, while the Atalanta goalkeeper, called into action again and again, closed the door on every single attempt from Roma’s play, but had to take cover also from Ederson and Holm’s own goal attempts. On points, Roma would have deserved to win, but the point allows Atalanta to keep the Romans behind them. Mourinho’s expulsion should be noted.
Juve at their last gasp with Vlahovic
The goal at the dawn of Vlahovic’s recovery allows Juventus to obtain their third consecutive success and remain just two points behind leaders Inter. Already at the beginning of the second half Salernitana remained numerically inferior due to the second yellow card and the consequent expulsion of Maggiore, shortly after the hour mark came the equalizer from the newly introduced Iling Junior. Salernitana didn’t give up and scared the Bianconeri several times, but Allegri’s team had the final say. Danilo crossed for Vlahovic, who anticipated Gyomber with his head and scored a goal worth three points. For the Granata in the next round the match at Maradona against the Italian champions Napoli, while Juventus is awaiting a match against Frosinone this week valid for the quarterfinals of the Italian Cup.
Naples disaster
Napoli concludes their group gone in the worst way possible (with only 28 points to their credit) and collapsed in front of a more organized and motivated Torino who won 3-0 with goals from Sanabria, Vlasic and Bongiorno. With today’s success, the Granatas rise in the rankings to 27 and are enjoying the fruits of an impeccable performance. Nothing to save for Mr. Mazzarri, today in the stands due to disqualification: the big names betrayed again and in general, above all, mental stability seemed to be lacking, beyond a series of truly deplorable technical-tactical errors for a team that has the tricolor on its chest. A debut to forget for Mazzocchi, sent off a few minutes after entering the field at the start of the second half.
Lazio hit in Udine
Lazio wins the clash with Udinese: a match that offers important points both in terms of qualification for the Cup and for survival. The Biancocelesti won 2-1 in a hard-fought, intense match, often punctuated by tough tackles. He broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a wicked free kick that went under the barrier and beat Okoye. But in the 14th minute of the second half, another insidious free kick, kicked by Lovric, finds the decisive deflection from Walace which makes it 1-1 for Udinese. The Bianconeri, however, lost intensity after the equalizer and then Lazio believed in it and passed with Vecino, perfect in the diagonal cross following Felipe Anderson’s invitation. The final reaction of the Friulians was sterile, with Sarri’s team controlling without suffering excessively. In the standings, a nice leap for Lazio which rises to sixth place, at 30, reaching the cup zone. Udinese, however, remains 16th with 17 points, three points ahead of the relegation zone.
Milan consolidates third place
Milan closed the first round with a 3-0 victory in Empoli which consolidated third place in the standings and morale. The Devil started well and found the lead in the 11th minute. Leao accelerates on the left and puts it in the center where he finds it Loftus Cheek who scores with a precise right foot. In the 28th minute the Englishman is once again the protagonist with an overhead kick which is deflected with his hand by Maleh. The match director grants the penalty after a VAR check. Giroud appears on the spot and makes no mistakes scoring with a powerful shot under the top corner. The first half of the game ends with the Rossoneri ahead by two goals.
Milan also dominated the pitch in the second half and in the 62nd minute came close to scoring a hat-trick with Pulisic who headed Caprile. Empoli only lights up in the 70th minute. Nice play by Cancellieri on the left, strong shot on goal where Maignan rejects: on the rebound another shot by Caputo which ends in a corner kick. The hosts were also dangerous in the 86th minute with Cancellieri who swallows Jimenez and puts it in the center where Theo is ready to block. However, two minutes later the Devil’s KO shot arrives. Pulisic goes all over the pitch on the counterattack, download for Chaka Traorè who beats Caprile. First goal in the championship for the very young Rossoneri player. Nothing more happens until the end, three well-deserved points for Pioli’s men.