Serie A Roundup, Matchday 16
Matchday 16 of the 2024/25 Serie A season featured exciting games, unexpected outcomes, and outstanding player performances. This Serie A roundup provides an overview of the games from this round.
Empoli 0-1 Torino
Empoli’s aspirations of securing consecutive league victories for the first time this season were dashed as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Torino at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. This outcome allows Torino to equal Empoli on points, placing them 5 points above the relegation zone. On the other hand, Empoli missed a chance to narrow the gap to the European qualification spots.
Cagliari 0-1 Atalanta
Atalanta secured their 10th consecutive Serie A victory by defeating Cagliari 1-0 at Unipol Domus, following a lackluster first half. This marks an unprecedented achievement in the 38-game history of Italy’s top league. With this win, Atalanta is currently 2 points ahead at the top of Serie A and has emerged victorious in 21 consecutive head-to-head matches against Cagliari.
Udinese 1-3 Napoli
Napoli’s quest for a second Serie A title in three years continues as they came from behind to secure a crucial 3-1 victory against Udinese, keeping them just two points behind Atalanta. The match was sealed in the 81st minute when Anguissa displayed remarkable speed and strength to penetrate the Udinese defense and score. This two-goal lead was crucial, as Udinese, who found it difficult to challenge Napoli in the second half, posed no threat to reduce the gap, allowing the visitors to achieve their fifth win in seven away league matches.
Juventus 2-2 Venezia
Dušan Vlahović netted a penalty in the 95th minute to maintain Juventus’ unbeaten record in the Serie A season, as the Bianconeri held off a determined comeback from Venezia to secure a 2-2 draw, preventing the visitors from achieving their first head-to-head win since 1962. Venezia remains at the bottom of the table after missing out on a win in the final moments for the second consecutive week.
Lecce 2-1 Monza
Nikola Krstović’s goal in the 44th minute contributed to Lecce’s 2-1 win against the struggling Monza in Serie A, marking their seventh consecutive match without a loss against them (4 wins, 3 draws). This victory is Lecce’s fourth of the season (with 4 draws and 8 losses), allowing them to rise to 14th place. Meanwhile, Monza’s continued inability to win keeps them in the relegation zone, putting pressure on Nesta, who may be at risk of losing his job.
Parma 2-3 Verona
Verona broke their streak of six straight away losses in Serie A by defeating fellow relegation battlers Parma 3-2, which helped them escape the relegation zone and match their opponents’ points total. Ultimately, the visitors managed to secure a vital win, putting an end to their four-game losing streak in Serie A and marking Parma’s first consecutive defeats since September.
Bologna 1-0 Fiorentina
Jens Odgaard scored his third goal of the season, leading Bologna to a 1-0 win against Fiorentina and marking their first hat-trick of head-to-head victories at the Renato Dall’Ara in nearly 60 years. The Rossoblù are now just three points behind sixth-place Juventus as they approach the second-to-last game week before the Christmas break. On the other hand, Fiorentina’s eight-match winning streak in the league has come to an end, but Raffaele Palladino’s team still holds fourth place.
Como 2-0 AS Roma
Alessandro Gabrielloni, who came on as a substitute, scored and provided an assist during stoppage time in the second half, helping Como achieve a crucial 2-0 victory over Roma in Serie A. This win allowed Como to escape the relegation zone and ended their nine-match winless streak. Roma suffered their fifth loss in six Serie A games, with Paz sealing the result at the end, leaving the Giallorossi only two points above the relegation zone.
AC Milan 0-0 Genoa
Genoa, who were considered significant underdogs before the match, delivered a determined performance and managed to earn a commendable point at the San Siro by drawing 0-0 with AC Milan. This result leaves the Rossoneri eight points away from the top four, just before the club’s 125th anniversary. For Milan, this outcome could be detrimental to their chances of qualifying for the Champions League through the league, despite the fact that they have only lost once in their last ten games under Paulo Fonseca.
Lazio 0-6 Inter
Inter Milan recovered from their first loss in 13 games against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League by thrashing Lazio 6-0 in Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico. This victory brings Inter within three points of Atalanta, with a game in hand. The win is particularly significant as Lazio had been unbeaten at home in Serie A this season and had secured nine wins in their last ten competitive matches at home, with one draw.
