Serie A Roundup: Cataldi Saves Lazio As Vergara Lifts Napoli Against Fiorentina

‎The latest Serie A matchday delivered everything fans could hope for, last-minute twists, breakout performances, worrying injury updates, record-chasing brilliance, and crucial results in both the title fight and relegation battle.

‎Here’s a full breakdown of all the major stories across the league.

‎Cataldi’s Stoppage-Time Winner Lifts Lazio

‎Lazio pulled off one of the weekend’s most dramatic victories as Danilo Cataldi converted a penalty 10 minutes into stoppage time, sealing a 3–2 win over Genoa.

‎For most of the match, Lazio appeared to be in full control. Pedro opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and Kenneth Taylor doubled the advantage shortly after the break.

‎With 11 clean sheets this season, joint-most in Serie A, the home side seemed destined for a routine win.

‎But Genoa, unbeaten in five before kickoff, staged a spirited comeback. Ruslan Malinovskyi scored from the spot, and Vitinha equalized with 15 minutes remaining, exposing the defensive lapses of a Lazio side that has been strong all season.

‎Cataldi’s late winner propelled Lazio into eighth, while Genoa remained in a tight mid-table cluster with Cremonese, Parma, and Torino.

‎Napoli’s Local Hero Vergara Shines Amid Injury Crisis

‎Napoli entered the weekend battered by injuries and still reeling from their midweek Champions League exit. But hometown talent Antonio Vergara delivered a performance that reignited belief among supporters.

‎Just days after scoring a stunning goal in Europe, Vergara added another strike plus an assist in Napoli’s 2–1 win over Fiorentina. His 11th-minute goal, latching onto a loose ball, sprinting free, and finishing coolly, set the tone, followed by a smart assist for Miguel Gutiérrez’s curled finish early in the second half.

‎Yet the victory was overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who left the pitch in tears with a suspected ACL tear.

‎With key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, Matteo Politano, David Neres, Amir Rrahmani, and Billy Gilmour already sidelined, Coach Antonio Conte expressed frustration at the number of serious injuries his squad continues to face.

‎Despite their problems, Napoli’s win trimmed Inter’s lead to six points at least temporarily.

‎Berardi Returns in Style as Sassuolo Beat Pisa

‎Sassuolo celebrated the long-awaited return of Domenico Berardi, who started for the first time since November following a hamstring injury. The Italian winger marked the occasion by scoring one goal and forcing an own goal in a 3–1 victory at Pisa.

‎The result lifted Sassuolo up to 11th. Pisa, despite the loss, managed to climb off the bottom of the table, overtaking Verona on goal difference after Verona suffered a heavy 4–0 defeat at Cagliari.

‎Lautaro Continues Record Chase in Inter’s Win Over Cremonese

‎Inter captain Lautaro Martínez edged one step closer to club history as he scored his 170th goal for the Nerazzurri in their 2–0 win at Cremonese.

‎His early header moved him within one goal of Roberto Boninsegna on Inter’s all-time scoring list. Only Alessandro Altobelli (209) and Giuseppe Meazza (284) remain ahead of him.

‎In league goals alone, Lautaro is chasing Benito Lorenzi for second place and remains far behind Meazza’s extraordinary 197 Serie A strikes.

‎Piotr Zielinski added Inter’s second with a long-range effort that swerved unexpectedly, slipping through the hands of goalkeeper Emil Audero.

‎The match saw a brief stoppage when Audero was hit by a flare thrown from the away section. Although he was able to continue, he appeared shaken and required medical attention.

‎Inter’s victory extended their lead over AC Milan to eight points, keeping them firmly in control of the title race.

‎Spalletti’s Free-Flowing Juventus Smash Parma

‎Under Luciano Spalletti, Juventus continues to resemble the scintillating Napoli side he guided to the 2023 title. After last week’s dominant win over Napoli, Juve swept aside Parma 4–1.

‎Bremer scored twice, Weston McKennie added another, and Jonathan David continued his sharp form with his fourth goal in five matches.

‎A bizarre own goal from Andrea Cambiaso momentarily offered Parma hope, but Juventus ultimately cruised. The win pushed Juventus into fourth, two points ahead of Roma.

‎Como Miss Late Penalty in the draw against Atalanta

‎Atalanta battled nearly the entire match with 10 players after Honest Ahanor was shown a straight red card inside the first eight minutes for an off-the-ball altercation with Máximo Perrone.

‎Despite their numerical disadvantage, Atalanta held firm.

‎Como had the perfect chance to win late when they were awarded an added-time penalty for a handball only for Nico Paz to see his effort saved by Marco Carnesecchi.

‎It was Paz’s third consecutive missed penalty, capping a frustrating night for Como. The club remained sixth, five points ahead of seventh-placed Atalanta.

‎Torino Edge Lecce in Tight Relegation Fight

‎Torino secured a narrow 1–0 win over relegation-threatened Lecce earlier in the weekend.

‎Lecce remain deep in the relegation battle, while Torino fortified their mid-table standing with a professional performance.