Serie A Roundup: Roma Stumble In Turin As Juventus Close The Gap And Fiorentina Finally Win

‎It was a dramatic weekend across Serie A. Roma’s hopes of going top were dashed in Turin, Juventus strengthened their push for the top four, Lazio were left frustrated in stoppage time, and Fiorentina finally ended their long wait for a league victory.

‎Roma Misses Chance to Go Top as Juventus Claim Crucial Home Win

‎Roma squandered a golden opportunity to move to the top of Serie A on Saturday night after suffering a 2–1 defeat away to Juventus, a result that tightened the race for European places and kept the title picture finely balanced.

‎With Inter Milan and other teams above them occupied with the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side knew victory in Turin would have taken them level on points with the league leaders.

‎Instead, they left empty-handed as Juventus delivered a disciplined and clinical performance at home.

‎Roma nearly enjoyed a dream start against their former talisman Paulo Dybala, who won five league titles during his time in Turin.

‎The Argentine found space early on but failed to trouble Michele Di Gregorio, firing a weak effort straight at the Juventus goalkeeper.

‎The hosts gradually grew into the contest and broke the deadlock right at halftime. Francisco Conceição combined neatly with Kenan Yıldız down the left flank before Yıldız cut inside and delivered a low cross.

‎Andrea Cambiaso’s clever backheel teed up Conceição, who drilled a composed finish into the bottom-right corner to put Juventus ahead.

‎Roma goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, kept his side in contention with a string of excellent saves, including a superb stop to deny Weston McKennie’s header in the 70th minute.

‎However, the American midfielder stayed alert and nodded the rebound into the path of Loïs Openda, who calmly slotted into an empty net to double Juventus’ advantage.

‎Roma Rally Falls Short

‎Roma responded quickly and injected tension into the closing stages. Wesley showed great determination to win back possession before threading a pass through to Lewis Ferguson.

‎Although Di Gregorio saved Ferguson’s angled drive, Tommaso Baldanzi reacted fastest to tap in the rebound and reduce the deficit.

‎Juventus were not without chances to seal the game, with Yıldız striking the right post in the 80th minute, but the Bianconeri ultimately held firm to claim a vital three points.

‎The result leaves Juventus just one point behind fourth-placed Roma, intensifying the battle for Champions League qualification.

‎No Late Winner in Stalemate Between Lazio and Cremonese

‎Elsewhere, Lazio and Cremonese were unable to find a breakthrough as they played out a goalless draw.

‎Lazio, buoyed by a dramatic 1–0 victory over Parma last weekend despite finishing that match with nine men, almost repeated the feat late on.

‎Drama unfolded deep into stoppage time when Cremonese defender Federico Ceccherini was shown a straight red card for bringing down Matteo Cancellieri just outside the area as the Lazio forward raced through on goal.

‎Danilo Cataldi stepped up to take the resulting free kick but could only watch as his effort skimmed the top of the crossbar, denying Lazio a last-gasp winner.

‎Fiorentina End Long Wait With Emphatic Win Over Udinese

‎At the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Fiorentina finally tasted victory in Serie A this season, ending a 15-game winless run in emphatic fashion with a 5–1 thrashing of 10-man Udinese.

‎The match turned early when Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was sent off for clattering into Moise Kean outside his penalty area.

‎Fiorentina nearly capitalised immediately, with Rolando Mandragora’s free kick grazing the bar and Albert Guðmundsson striking the post from distance.

‎The breakthrough eventually arrived when Mandragora made no mistake with his second free-kick attempt, firing through a poorly organised wall.

‎Guðmundsson soon doubled the lead with a superb finish after spinning away from his marker, before Cher Ndour headed home Nicolò Fagioli’s cross to make it 3–0 before halftime.

‎Fiorentina continued their dominance after the break as Kean tapped in a rebound following Fabiano Parisi’s effort against the post.

‎Udinese briefly responded through Solet, who curled a fine long-range strike into the bottom corner, but any hopes of a comeback were swiftly extinguished.

‎Despite remaining the only side yet to keep a home clean sheet this season, Fiorentina added further gloss to the scoreline as Kean completed his brace with a composed finish after racing onto a through ball.