Juventus draws for the first time in league this season
There is still a glimmer of hope for Roma and Napoli. Juventus was prevented from going 10 points clear in Serie A as a lethargic performance saw it held 1-1 at Udinese yesterday. It was Juve’s first draw in the league this season. Leonardo Bonucci was both hero and villain as he was outmuscled for Duvan Zapata’s opener but leveled on the hour.
Juventus moved eight points clear of Roma and 10 ahead of Napoli. There are 11 rounds remaining. “We gained a point on Roma,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said. “We were coming from a very hard period, where we played very important matches and today we faced a Udinese side which deserved to draw.
“When you can’t win certain matches, you mustn’t lose them ... it’s an important point. And even with a win, the title race wouldn’t have been over.”
After Napoli won 2-1 at Roma on Saturday, Juventus knew it could take a decisive step toward an unprecedented sixth successive title.
Udinese had picked up only one point from its previous four matches, scoring just one goal. But it took the lead eight minutes from halftime as Zapata held off Bonucci and beat Gianluigi Buffon at the near post. Juventus struggled to create real opportunities but leveled when Bonucci headed in Paulo Dybala’s free kick. Udinese coach Luigi Delneri was dismissed immediately after for dissent.
The home side almost restored its lead two minutes later but Danilo’s header came off the base of the left post, although it looked as if Buffon had it covered.
ATALANTA 0, FIORENTINA 0
Atalanta failed to keep up the pressure in the race for a Champions League spot as it was kept at bay by Fiorentina goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side had emerged as surprise contenders for a top-three finish after beating Napoli last weekend but it slipped five points below the Champions League qualifying spots.
Atalanta laid siege to the goal but could not find a way through due to a combination of wayward finishing and excellent saves by Tatarusanu. He also somehow managed to claw Andrea Petagna’s effort off the line and out off the upright late on.
Lazio can move a point above Atalanta with a win at Bologna later.
CAGLIARI 1, INTER MILAN 5
Ever Banega made the most of a rare start as he scored one and set up another to help Inter Milan comfortably beat Cagliari. Inter is fifth and remains six points behind third-placed Napoli.
Ivan Perisic scored twice as Inter bounced back from last week’s 3-1 defeat at home to Roma. “We got what we wanted, to react at the right moment and in the best way possible after the defeat to Roma,” Perisic said. “We still believe in third place. “Today we showed we are on the right path. We will give our utmost until the end.” Cagliari gave Inter Milan an early scare as Joao Pedro lobbed Samir Handanovic and Gary Medel had to acrobatically clear off the line. Inter broke the deadlock in the 36th when Ivan Perisic controlled Banega’s chipped pass with his right foot and hit it past Gabriel with his left.
Banega doubled Inter’s lead three minutes later with a free kick into the top left corner. Cagliari got back into it shortly after. Handanovic did well to keep out David Di Gennaro’s free kick but the ball was crossed back in for Marco Borriello to head home.