Serie A Roundup, Matchday 35
The 35th set of matches in the 2023/24 Serie A season showcased thrilling games, surprising results, and notable performances. Here is a summary of the weekend’s matches.
Torino 0-0 Bologna
Seventy-five years after the Superga air disaster, which devastated the ‘Grande Torino’ team by causing the loss of their entire squad, their current players failed to score for the fourth game in a row in a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. Both teams lacked ambition in the final moments, with only one notable opportunity for Ivan Ilić near the box after Skorupski cleared a cross from Adam Masina. However, Ilić’s shot was saved by the Polish goalkeeper, resulting in the crowd witnessing their seventh goalless draw of the season.
Monza 2-2 Lazio
Milan Đurić scored twice to secure a 2-2 draw for Monza against Lazio, extending Monza’s winless streak in Serie A to six games. This was Lazio’s first draw in 10 away league matches. Despite Lazio taking the lead late in the game through Matías Vecino, Đurić scored again in injury time to salvage a point for Monza. This result keeps Monza in contention for European qualification, while Lazio will be disappointed to drop points in their pursuit of European competition.
Sassuolo 1-0 Inter
Sassuolo achieved a significant victory in their efforts to avoid relegation in Serie A, narrowly defeating the newly-crowned champions Inter Milan 1-0. This win marked only their second victory in their last 16 league matches. Despite some concern that Inter might equalize in the second half, Sassuolo managed to maintain their lead and secure a crucial three points in their fight against relegation.
Cagliari 1-1 Lecce
Despite maintaining the lead for most of the game with 10 players, Cagliari ended up with a 1-1 draw against Lecce as a late goal by Nikola Krstović left the hosts four points above the relegation zone. Lecce gained momentum after scoring an equalizer and, despite hitting the post in the final moments through Federico Baschirotto and Nicola Sansone, they had to settle for a draw. The 1-1 result extended Lecce’s lead over the relegation zone to 7 points, putting them 4 points ahead of Cagliari.
Verona 2-1 Fiorentina
Marco Baroni’s Hellas Verona team significantly improved their chances of staying in Serie A by securing their first victory over ACF Fiorentina in eight matches. This win has put them 4 points above the relegation zone with 3 games remaining. Fiorentina had a disappointing day and will aim to recover in their upcoming match against Club Brugge in the UEFA Conference League. While European football seems out of reach for Hellas at the moment, their recent success, including their second win in three games, may allow them to start thinking about the next season in Italy’s top division.
Empoli 0-0 Frosinone
Empoli and Frosinone, two Serie A teams fighting to avoid relegation, played to a dull 0-0 draw at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. Despite the result, both teams managed to widen their lead over the relegation zone to 2 points. Empoli missed the chance to achieve three consecutive home league wins for the first time since May, while Frosinone extended their unbeaten streak to six games, but still haven’t won an away match this season.
AC Milan 3-3 Genoa
Mateo Retegui saved Genoa from losing by scoring a late goal to tie the game 3-3 against Milan in a thrilling Serie A match at the San Siro. Milan continued their unbeaten streak against Genoa to five games. Former Milan player Alberto Gilardino will now focus on preparing his team for upcoming matches against US Sassuolo, AS Roma, and Bologna as they aim for a top-half finish. Milan, on the other hand, have little motivation to play for, but they still need to secure their second-place position after going six games without a win in all competitions.
AS Roma 1-1 Juventus
In a match between two top-four teams in Serie A, AS Roma and Juventus played to an exciting 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. The result meant that Juventus remained without a win in their last five matches in all competitions (drawing four and losing one). Both teams had opportunities to score as the game progressed; Chiesa had a shot saved by Svilar, while Roma’s Pellegrini was denied by former Roma goalkeeper Szczęsny. The match ended in a draw, with both teams seeming satisfied with a point each. This result dropped Roma to 6th place. Juventus, on the other hand, are in third place and are close to securing a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Salernitana 1-2 Atalanta
Atalanta had to put in effort against Salernitana, who had already been relegated, but managed to secure a 2-1 victory at Stadio Arechi with two goals around the 60th minute. This win moved them into fifth place and extended their unbeaten streak to five games. Despite Atalanta thinking they had the game under control, Salernitana kept pushing and almost equalized, with only a crucial block by Hans Hateboer preventing them from scoring. Salernitana, who have not won a game in 2024, continued to press for a goal but ultimately suffered their fourth consecutive loss.
Udinese 1-1 Napoli
Udinese secured a crucial point in their battle to avoid relegation in Serie A thanks to a last-minute goal by Isaac Success, which led to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against SSC Napoli. The draw further highlights Napoli’s poor away form, with just two wins in their last 13 matches. Udinese managed to salvage a dramatic point in stoppage time, as Success capitalized on a pass from Thomas Kristensen to score. This result brings Udinese closer to safety with three games left, while Napoli’s winless streak now stands at four matches.
