Serie A Roundup for Round 32: Salernitana have force Napoli to a draw, putting on hold their title celebrations
Here’s a recap of the most dramatic match week so far this season, from last minute equalizers to bizarre comebacks, this match week had it all.
Leece 1-0 Udinese
We started matchday 32 on Friday, 28th April at Stadio Via del Mare where Lecce welcomed Udinese, who are aspiring for Europe this season. The hosts dominated majority of the game with their dominance yielding a penalty in the 62nd minute. Lecce’s top scorer Gabriel Strefezza converted to give the home side the needed win in their battle for survival. The results leaves Udinese’s European hopes hanging but Lecce are now four points above the drop zone.
Spezia 0-2 Monza
Later on Friday, relegation threatened Spezia hosted mid table side AC Monza at the Stadio Alberto Picco. AC Monza managed to see the game out with relative ease, winning by two goals to nil. This spearheads them into the top half whiles Spezia sit above the drop zone at 17th place.
Roma 1-1 AC Milan
AS Roma and AC Milan kicked off the day on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico as both sides aimed for the win since they were level on points prior the game. The game was closely contested as both sides knew what was at stake. The game’s first goal came in the 94th minute when Tammy Abraham put the home side in front, three minutes later Saelemaekers equalized for Milan much to the bemusement of the home crowd. Both sides shared the spoils on the day as they continue to chase a spot in the top four.
Torino 1-2 Atalanta
Torino welcomed Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino in Turin. Zappacosta scored in the first half to put the visitors ahead at the break but in the second half, Antonio Sanabria scored to draw both teams level. Torino then cooled their quest for the winner, looking to share a deserved point with Atalanta but Duvan Zapata showed some brilliance in the 88th minute to get the winner for Atalanta. This 2-1 Atalanta win propels them within reach of the top four as they now sit seventh two points behind fourth place.
Inter 3-1 Lazio
Inter Milan welcomed Lazio to kickstart a run of six games on Sunday, 30th April. Felipe Anderson took the lead for Lazio in the first half right after VAR denied Inter a goal due to an offside leading to the goal. Inter Milan’s search for an equalizer came in the 78th minute where Romelu Lukaku assisted Lautaro Martinez to draw both sides level. Robin Gosens in the 83rd minute then converted a Romelu Lukaku cross to give the lead to the home side. Lautaro Martinez then added a third goal for Inter in the 90th minute to seal the victory for the home side. This was a crucial win for Inter as they now sit fourth in the league, three points behind third place.
Cremonese 1-1 Verona
Cremonese welcomed Verona where they started the game well and scored in the ninth minute but a 62nd minute red card to Quagliata placed the home side’s lead in jeopardy. Verona took advantage of Cremonese being down to ten men and equalized in the 75th minute to earn a draw.
Check Out : Premier League Roundup, MD34
Napoli 1-1 Salernitana
A win for Napoli would win them the title with six games to spare but Salernitana had other plans. Napoli started in great fashion and they scored in the 62nd minute to put themselves in pole position for the win but a late goal from Dia Boulaye of Salernitana and great saves from goalkeeper Ochoa denied the host the win. This 1-1 stalemate puts Salernitana seven points above the drop zone and with Napoli having to wait till Thursday when they play Udinese to clinch the title.
Sassuolo 2-1 Empoli
The game between Sassuolo and Empoli also ended in dramatic fashion as an 11th minute Empoli goal was equalized by Berardi for Sassuolo in the 82nd minute despite the home side falling to 10 men. Berardi then went on to convert a 97th minute penalty to hand Sassuolo an eventful win.
Fiorentina 5-0 Sampdoria
Fiorentina then went on to thrash Sampdoria by five goals to nil in the penultimate game of the weekend. This Sampdoria loss sinks them further into the relegation battle whiles the Fiorentina win keeps their hopes of a top seven finish alive.
Bologna 1-1 Juventus
Juventus then capped off the day at Bologna as both sides aim for Europe this season. Bologna took the lead in the 10th minute with an Orsolini penalty, the away side also had a penalty in the 31st minute but Milik failed to score. But the Juventus striker wrote off his penalty miss after netting an equalizer in the 61st minute to earn the away side a draw.
Round 32 has been the most intriguing week yet and with the business end of the season approaching, expect teams to keep fighting for their various ambitions for the season.
