Serie A Roundup, Matchday 18
Matchday 18 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.
Parma 2-1 Monza
Lautaro Valenti scored a crucial goal in the 97th minute, leading Parma to a significant 2-1 victory over AC Monza in Serie A, which allowed the Gialloblu to break their three-game losing streak. This win puts Parma four points ahead of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Monza suffered a heavy setback, remaining winless in their last 10 matches and currently sitting at the bottom of the league table.
Empoli 1-2 Genoa
Genoa maintained their impressive away performance, extending their unbeaten streak to four matches by defeating Empoli 2-1 at Stadio Carlo Castellani, which brought them level on points with the Azzurri. Despite their top scorer’s efforts, Empoli was unable to rally for a late equalizer, allowing Genoa to secure an important victory and break a three-match winless streak. This win created a five-point cushion above the relegation zone for Genoa, while Empoli was left with only one home victory in Serie A this season.
Cagliari 0-3 Inter
Inter Milan secured their third consecutive victory in Serie A by beating Cagliari 3-0 at the Unipol Domus, closing the gap to Atalanta to just a point. Cagliari remains in the relegation zone after experiencing their 10th defeat of the season, with five of those losses occurring in a row, which is their longest losing streak since February.
Lazio 1-1 Atalanta
Lazio’s attempt to achieve consecutive home victories against Atalanta for the first time since 2017 was thwarted by an equalizer in the 88th minute. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, allowing Gian Piero Gasperini’s team to reclaim the top spot in Serie A. Lazio stays in the top four but is six points behind Atalanta, who have moved ahead of Inter by a point at the top of the standings, although they have played one more match.
Udinese 2-2 Torino
Udinese broke their streak of three consecutive home losses in Serie A by securing a tough 2-2 draw against Torino, who have now lost only once to Udinese in their last eight encounters. Both teams are vying for European competition next season and sought to find a winning goal, but their defenses remained strong, preventing either side from generating any clear opportunities in the final moments. The draw allows Torino to move up to 11th place, four points behind ninth-placed Udinese.
Napoli 1-0 Venezia
Napoli maintained their unbeaten home record against Venezia, reaching 10 matches, thanks to Giacomo Raspadori’s late goal that secured a crucial three points for the Serie A title contenders. This win allowed Conte’s team to move ahead of Inter Milan into second place and close the gap between them and Atalanta to just a point. On the other hand, Venezia sits in 19th place and is facing significant challenges as they approach the New Year.
Juventus 2-2 Fiorentina
Juventus extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to 18 matches, but it came through a frustrating 2-2 draw against Fiorentina at the Allianz Stadium, preventing the Old Lady from achieving their third straight win in all competitions. The Bianconeri have earned a reputation as draw specialists, with this match marking their 21st draw of the year, only the 1979 Perugia team has more. On the other hand, Fiorentina, despite salvaging a point, remains without a win in four matches across all competitions, although they did halt a two-game losing streak in the league.
AC Milan 1-1 AS Roma
AC Milan is currently enjoying a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions after a 1-1 draw with Roma at San Siro. This result provided Roma with their fifth away point in Serie A this season, but they have yet to achieve an away win. The draw allowed Milan to maintain their home unbeaten streak for the past two months of 2024 and against Roma at home since 2017, although they remain outside the European qualification positions. Meanwhile, Roma is now three matches without a loss, despite a 12-match streak without an away league victory, and they are currently positioned in the upper half of the table.
Como 2-0 Lecce
Como achieved their first consecutive home wins in Serie A in 36 years with a 2-0 victory, allowing them to surpass Lecce in the standings. This win also marked the end of their previous winless streak against Lecce, which dated back to 1988. The Biancoblù have remained unbeaten in five encounters with Lecce in the top division, while Lecce is still only two points ahead of Cagliari, who sit in 18th place.
Bologna 2-3 Verona
An own goal by Santiago Castro in the 88th minute allowed Hellas Verona to secure their first win at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara since April 2016, as they triumphed over Bologna 3-2 in a thrilling match. This win moves Verona up to 16th place in the Serie A standings, surpassing Lecce. On the other hand, Bologna, despite suffering their first home league loss of the season (with 4 wins and 3 draws), still sits just four points behind sixth-placed Juventus.
