Traits of champions
Juventus showed what champions are made off with a late comeback to beat Inter Milan at the San Siro. Both teams were looking for victories for different reasons. Juventus needed a win to hold on to pole position, while Inter Milan’s needed the win to keep their Champions League qualification dreams alive.
Despite being a man down for the majority of the game, Inter Milan was able to come from a goal down and take a 2-1 lead with the backing of their home supporters. With just 3 minutes of regulation time to go, the probability of Juventus getting a point from the fixture was too low for a supporter to dream about getting a winning goal. But this is what champions are expected to do. A 3-2 win allowed Juventus restore the advantage at the top of the league table and move towards their 7th title-winning season in a row.
AC Milan first win in 7 matches came through an away victory against a Bologna that has 1 victory in their last 9 matches.
Marcello Trotta and Simy both scored a brace for Crotone gained an important 3 ‘relegation-avoiding’ points with a home win against Sassuolo.
Despite the numerical disadvantage after Danilo Cataldi was sent off, losing the lead and falling a goal behind in a blink of an eye, relegated Benevento found a stoppage-time equalizer deny Udinese from stealing the victory.
Hellas Verona closer to relegation after losing the lead at home to suffer a fourth consecutive defeat.
Cagliari remains under the relegation threat after defeat to Sampdoria denied them a progressive move in the league standings.
It was a good round for the city of Rome. Lazio griped on ‘top-four’ tightened after picking up an away victory against Torino, while Roma comfortably beat Chievo Verona by 4 goals to 1.
Did Giovanni Simeone and Fiorentina end the title race for Napoli?
Napoli falls flat to Fiorentina and Kalidou Koulibaly is red carded just 8 minutes after kick-off just a week after Koulibaly scored a late header to see Napoli beat Juventus to tighten up the title race. A ‘3-0’ defeat to Fiorentina has dented Napoli’s chances securing their first league title in 28 years.
